January 14th, 2008
Warren State Hospital
Pennsylvania state representative Kathy Rapp is working to “protect the patients, jobs and community services at Warren State Hospital.” Evidently there’s an effort in the state government to privatize elements of the institution. This effort is part of a larger “deinstitutionalization scheme”, which could possibly lead to further closings of state psychiatric centers such as Warren State Hospital. I found out about this at Pennsylvania Mental Health Issues which has a few posts about Warren State Hospital listed here.
Pennsylvania has two Kirkbride buildings that are still part of the state mental health system: the one in Warren, and one in Danville. There were at least three others: two of which have been demolished, and one that is now mostly used by private companies for non-psychiatric purposes. There may have been another Kirkbride in Pennsylvania that was demolished (raising the total count to six), but I haven’t confirmed that yet. I’ll post about it when I have more information.
While Warren State Hospital doesn’t appear to be in any immediate danger of being shut down, nor for that matter does Danville State Hospital, it appears the movement toward deinstitutionalization could make such closures inevitable. I don’t have anything against deinstitutionalization if it does in fact make the lives of the mentally ill better, but I do worry about these buildings being abandoned and possibly lost to demolition.
Similar Posts:
- Warren State Hospital Tour February 2, 2010
- Danville State Hospital Site July 27, 2009
- Warren State Hospital Cemetery Restored September 18, 2008
Walter Latos, committed his wife.
1928?
Hi I am tracing a Walter and Dorothy Latos. Any relation- he married in australia i think
I worked at WSH from 1993 to 1997. It is definitely a hot spot of paranormal activity. But, it is still in use.
Looking for Angelina V. Flick info. May be related to my Great Grandmother who was in a Colorado State Home. Last census report on her was 1930. Earlist report was 1900 census.
I am seeking information on a patient listed on the hospital’s 1920 census record. Orran (spelling varies) F Best was a relative from Clarion Co., Pa and died in 1921 at the hospital. He was brought home and buried in the family plot.
What was the possible Sixth PA Kirkbride?