Saturday July 28, 2007, 7:48 pm
All three were teenagers — and all three were housed in Central State's adolescent unit, alongside mentally ill children possibly as young as 6.

This volatile mix occurs with regularity at the two adolescent units in Georgia's state psychiatric hospitals, officials say. Along with chronic overcrowding and inadequate staffing, records show, it creates an atmosphere conducive to fighting and sexual assaults.

When will the laws protect these less than fortunate children?

Saturday July 28, 2007, 7:55 pm
Duely noted/thanks

Saturday July 28, 2007, 7:58 pm
Noted ~ this is very unnerving, and totally unacceptable. Certainly the laws need to be changed to protect these children! Thanks Charles.

Saturday July 28, 2007, 8:00 pm
Noted thanks Charles I will foreward it also.

Saturday July 28, 2007, 8:01 pm
Charles, the welfare of the mentally ill has always been a low priority in this country. How many remember when Geraldo Rivera, when he was a young, REAL reporter, exposed the horrendous conditions at Willowbrook State Hopsital in NY? Not much has changed. Budget allocations nationally and state-wise are abysmally low for those with psychiatric and retardation issues. These are our own throwaways....the incidence of truly mentally ill people in jails receiving no treatment is also a disgrace. And I SHUDDER to think of the conditions that exist in many low-budget nursing homes and therapy residences for the elderly and disabled...shaking my head and sighing....

Saturday July 28, 2007, 8:01 pm
Charles, the welfare of the mentally ill has always been a low priority in this country. How many remember when Geraldo Rivera, when he was a young, REAL reporter, exposed the horrendous conditions at Willowbrook State Hopsital in NY? Not much has changed. Budget allocations nationally and state-wise are abysmally low for those with psychiatric and retardation issues. These are our own throwaways....the incidence of truly mentally ill people in jails receiving no treatment is also a disgrace. And I SHUDDER to think of the conditions that exist in many low-budget nursing homes and therapy residences for the elderly and disabled...shaking my head and sighing....

Saturday July 28, 2007, 8:01 pm
We have a Central State Hospital here in Virginia....and it has had it's share of problems....but nothing like this..yet.

Saturday July 28, 2007, 8:09 pm
"There is concern that children who are small in stature and powerless to defend themselves are not safe in state hospitals"........DO YA THINK, SPARKY?!...oh....my.....God.......*sigh*......

Saturday July 28, 2007, 8:13 pm
Noted and i will forward it on...

Saturday July 28, 2007, 8:41 pm
Noted, and Thank you Charles.

Saturday July 28, 2007, 8:44 pm
Wow that is really messed up.

Saturday July 28, 2007, 8:47 pm
This is happening in every state, I worked in a Mental Hospital in NY where there were children who were not mentally ill housed there because there was no placce else to put them (the explanation I was given). Some were TMR and some were there because their parents could not control them. If you ask me the parents belonged in there! Conditions were deplorable and when some of us banded together to try and change them we were fired. Like Cate says this is a low priority in this world, quite frankly unless you can fight for yourself one is always a low priorty.

Saturday July 28, 2007, 8:49 pm
Noted, this is so sad and so wrong..

Saturday July 28, 2007, 9:03 pm
Noted, and angry!!~!!

Saturday July 28, 2007, 9:37 pm
It just goes to show of how little importance children are to some people. When it should be children first. What kind of idiot places sexual offenders (teens or otherwise) anywhere near children??? I don't care how crowded things are or whatever the excuse is this time. No one should ever place a child in danger. And by allowing sexual offenders to be housed with innocent children that's what they are doing. You can not heal a pedophile. But they can be put away from children which is what should have been done here. There is NO acceptable excuse. Whoever allowed them to live in the same surroundings as children (whether they have disabilities or not) is just as guilty as the offender. Children's safety should come first.

Saturday July 28, 2007, 9:50 pm
This is only one of "countless" State Hospitals across America that house [institutionalize] their Disabled with sexual abusers and the criminally insane, including Idaho where I live. We have tried for over a hundred years to get it to stop but the state refuses to listen. In fact, it is this fact that was the very start of my advocacy 35 years ago and continues today. Many of these felons nd rapists were picking the locks a few years ago and doing their dirty deeds with the helpless disabled who were too severe to even say anything and I had a RN friend quit and try to sue the state of Idaho over several incidents but ran into the 30 day rule. You must bring a suit before 30 days or they're off the hook. Terrible!! NO ACCOUNTABILITY!! They have placed laws to make them exempt of recourse and law. Sound familiar???

Saturday July 28, 2007, 10:13 pm
Thi sis just not good enough and obviously NOT acceptable.Thank you Charles.

Saturday July 28, 2007, 10:25 pm
Actually, the system has truly failed these poor kids and as we have all agreed....nothing will change until we get the system to change. I am so confused as to how you place sex offenders in a confined place with little kids. Am I missing something here, or are these people just all not the sharpest tools in the shed!!!! This is not rocket science, just some common sense!! I agree with you Ron.....sounding very familiar...the infamous no accountability!!!
Thank you all for comments and information.....

Saturday July 28, 2007, 10:34 pm
noted and passed on ...this is a very sad and wayyyy to often tragedy ;(

Sunday July 29, 2007, 3:30 am
repugnantly disagustingly seriously archaically horridly fu/////////////g unnaceptabl;e so who on care2 is from georgia?

Sunday July 29, 2007, 3:49 am
Thank You Charles!!! Thank you for finding these articles! Thank you for fighting for children! Thank you for fighting for me!!!!

Sunday July 29, 2007, 5:50 am
Abominable. It is truly a Mad, Mad World! We treat these humans as if they were disposable paper products--just stick them somewhere, medicate to keep them quiet, clean them up on Family visitation day or times, and look the other way. Margaret, despite anticipating the fallout when you worked in that facility, you acted on your principles and experienced economic repercussions at the minimum. That is being of the highest service to others who have no voice. All of you who work tirelessly on this issue are giving voices and faces to those in this miserable, historically on-going mistreatment.

I wonder if we picked the worst case we could identify and targeted that state's representation at the state and federal levels, advocacy groups for both mentally ill, adolescents olacements in such facilities, etc. if we could begin to dialogue nationally and really do the gruntwork necessary to put a big spotlight on this? I am willing to help, but cannot take the point position as I am preparing to have a little surgery soon. Anyone think this tactic has merit? Anyone ready to go to our corner and come out fighting? If you are that person, then let's do our damndest to stop wring our hands and turn it around so the people who should be wringing their hands are doing it. We just cannot keep throwing our hands up in the air.

Sunday July 29, 2007, 9:40 am
Noted. Thank you Charles for posting . I agree with all the fine comments here. This article should be brought to all the media and ought to be recognized as yet another flaw within the realm of human rights. As long as our politicians and our government ignore the rights of ALL citizens of our country, instances of this abuse will continue.

Geraldo Rivera, as Cate points out, brought attention to the N.Y. Willowbrook state "Hospital" in the early 1970's, it didn't make much difference , since here we are in the 21st century with medieval practices of housing those unable to care for themselves along with the criminally insane and sex offenders continues. There's been many media stories since, even on recent "Oprah", "Montel", and other such talk shows--yet nothing changes. I do think that commenter Carolyn T.'s suggestions have a lot of merit. So many groups and national programs are aware of the issue but it's not bringing about change--maybe because unless it hits someone personally , people aren't writing their state reps to bring more attention to the matter. The root of the problem, I believe, is that no matter what the law, one just cannot legislate morality. People with psychological problems and conditions that predispose them to abuse will always be a certain percentage of our population, who don't adhere to any value system or moral code. That aside, I'm going to again write my state's reps today and see if I can get anything back other than a form letter evading the issue. Previously when I've written about this subject to government officials, they cite "legislation is already in place and laws exist already to protect the rights of " the less able" of our state".

The much- lauded and cited legislation passed over 40 years ago to "communitize" and de-institutionalize the physically and mentally dis-abled residents (of state"Hospitals") has obviously been a failure, though. The same excuse abounds when legislators are pressed for a specific answer: "There's no where else to put them". I think that's absolutely ridiculous when private enterprises exist that can ensure that the laws actually are adhered to and that crininals and sex offenders are the only groups institutionalized. Again, the outcry is always "There's no funding". ( for quality -care community programs and residential treatment centers and homes). Well, that will always be the issue and excuse as long as our government holds the needs of the less -fortunate and vulnerable, unable -to -care- for- themselves population at a very, very low priority."better solutions" have not really been brought to fruition.

Even when communities try to make a difference , with having private residences, facilities , and other residential care and providers available, abuse continues there, ( with the mainly unqualified, untrained, possible substance -abusers, & other unsuitable- for- employment -with- people types perpetrating the abuse). I don't see any solutions unless "the system" changes ENTIRELY , with overseers that actually do their job to ensure the safety and well-being of those who cannot care for themselves. Poor quality care exists for all citizens ( especially the poverty-stricken, the ill, and practically all the middle class now)without the necessary funding, (as in our schools, the nursing homes, the hospitals, and any public institution funded by the government). The filthy rich can always afford private care or whatever they need, for their individual situation. The legislators always say "Funding is not available" ( for any sort of program for the less-then-fortunate of our society). In my opinion, This country just doesn't have its priorities straight when trillions go to into funding wars and building up the corporate profiteering. If just a few billions of this Iraq fiasco ( and corporate profiteering from it )were spent instead on community quality care for "the no-where to put them" residents of State "hospitals", what a difference that would make! There'd even be billions left over to build something better for the elderly other than "nursing homes", and money left over , so that actual compassionate personnel could be paid a better wage so as to end the practice of hiring "just anyone who needs a job" [ i.e., untrained , unqualified, or the poorly trained , ex-con sex offenders, and other non-desirable , otherwise unemployable personnel ].

More Laws obviously need to be enacted so that state "hospitals" are housing ONLY the criminally insane or sex offenders, & worse. This is one type of segregation with which I do agree. It's amazing that these state institutions are even called "hospitals" ! What a misnomer! They are nothing more than a warehouse /prison with a few locked doors, and "jailers", not caring people or any employee in a position able to change the situation.

The "lucky few" that have been "de-institutionalized" still are subject to the abuses of the community systems due to the inaccountability today of those very systems. The abuse is just more geographically spread out. The mainly government system-controlled community programs have few advocates to ensure that proper and safe environments are maintained and abuses quashed.

Unfortuneately, as Ron Goodman points out, the employee whistle- blowers who work in the state "hospital s" (who dare to speak out) are usually fired for "bringing attention" to injustices--rocking the boat, so to speak. Lawsuits are rarely initiated because "No one" wants to bring suit against the state, it seems. I suppose there's no money in it for them and they fear for retaliation. Seems there's just no accountability , at any level. I know from personal experience years ago , (from working in a CA State "Hospital" as a psychiatric technician, that "state hospitals" , when "inspected" by government "advocates" and/or licensing personnel, make sure ( ordered by supervisors) that "everything is in order" so that the hospital isn't closed down. Records and paperwork are altered, the facility is "cleaned up", the institutionalized residents are "cleaned up", the place is transformed into a "pristine environment " for ONE day , ( inspectors inform hospital administrators and supervisors when they're coming) -- so as to escape any further scrutiny. However, even if citations are given, even then, it's merely a matter of statistics because essentially, by the government system, the residents are largely considered unimportant , non-productive, non-taxpaying , "undesirable" members of society--including those labeled as "profoundly mentally retarded". I witnessed several incidents of some employees "incorporating behavioral management techniques" , in which the "profoundly mentally retarded" residents ( which, at that time, also included every Down Syndrome child) were hosed down with powerful hoses spurting cold water ,in the courtyard, for the dubious "offense" of defecating in their rooms. I saw several incidents of employees hitting, slapping the faces and bodies of residents with their keys until bloody cuts appeared, and then reported the resident had "fallen and cut themselves". I heard of several incidents of sexual abuse similar to that which this posting cites. When I wrote "incident reports" on those abuses that I personally witnessed, I was threatened with termination. After I'd filed 9 incident reports, with no results from the state investigators despite my testimony, I'd had enough and I quit. I was extremely aghast that such horrors were allowed to happen and actually were condoned by the hospital administrators, supervisory personnel, and learned then how blatantly ineffective civil rights legislation was-- that it was merely a matter of perfunctory paperwork. Individuals relegated to mere ( altered) statistics. A shame.

In the public sector with its existing residences for persons unable to care for themselves, this perfunctory paperwork still pervades the system and cases of extreme civil rights violations and abuse continues. Any abuser needs to be held accountable for their heinous crimes against fellow human beings. (The persons responsible for ignoring abuse, under-reporting it, or those who falsify state/community facility records of any sort, need to be held accountable, too for their part in perpetuating abuse). It seems that the only time the public is made aware of the criminality of such institutions ( and a great many of the community residential homes/programs are merely " local" institutions)---is when something horrendously major, like very extreme abuse or death(s) , is reported.

Sunday July 29, 2007, 3:41 pm
Nowhere in the scheme of the this countries weidness does this cound even remotely acceptable!
Intolereable, insnae absolutely negligent. The people who get paid to run and operate these facilities need to have THEIR heads examined. I don;t care who makes the excuses, the powers that be have failed these children and made them victims again. There is no way these young vicitms were protected at any stretch of the imagination. Who appointed the board members of this place and why in the heck did they ever see this type of placements accepteable? The state itself should never have allowed this to happen from the very beginning. Shortage of funding is no excuse either. This is why I get so mad...no one gave a damn about these childen but those that received taxpayers money for a job NOT done correctly at any time.
Oh...this makes me so mad....

Sunday July 29, 2007, 4:54 pm
Noted. There is no reason that this should happen. People need to use common sense and seperate these groups.

Sunday July 29, 2007, 5:04 pm
Noted/ Charles this is so horrible! I cant believe this is going on, but it is. The system has failed these kids.

Sunday July 29, 2007, 5:14 pm
when will people learn we must protect our children from these sexual predators. our children our the future we must protect them.

Sunday July 29, 2007, 10:10 pm
I am a firm believer in "Capital punishment". Murderers should be immediately executed, no mercy shown as they showed no mercy for their victims, chld molesters should be castrated on first offense, executed on the second offense. Because there is no true justice in this country, people are basically getting their hands slapped and being pampered in prisons for the heinious crimes they commit. I truly think that we need some "vigilantes" to "take care of" these inhumane members of society.

Sunday July 29, 2007, 10:56 pm
Bravo Aaron......gotta love the way you think.
Child abusers are the #1 thing on my list of things that piss me off!!!

They are not just getting their hands slapped, it seems they are being rewarded for their crimes by placing them in a position to do it again and again!!! Is that the way it works? You rape a child and you are punished by giving you your choice of many others to rape? These are Monsters and should be in jails, not hospitals full of disturbed children...what is wrong with these people that they don't see this???

And yes Cate...I remember Willowbrook State Hospital and the investigation by Geraldo...horrible!! I know the mentally ill have always been low on the totem pole and that is a travesty on the part of the governmen, with all our tax dollars that go out the window in aid to other countries and lining the pockets of our politicians!!
The government and all these systems need a complete overhaul!!
Welcome all and thank you all for the comments and viewpoints and a whole lot of valuable information by friends that have the view from within the system.

Monday July 30, 2007, 2:34 am
Just want to add my 2 cents and that is that is does happen all over this fine country of ours. For some reason we can't seem to figure out how to house our troubled youth and the ones that pay for it are the most helpless.

Monday July 30, 2007, 5:58 am
They will only do this as long we allow them to. They need funding, attention, press releases and support in volunteers and in $$. We as a community must make the necessary sacrifices to protect our children by stepping in and doing something about it. Not just reporting it to an inefficient police force that could really care less about a mentally or physically handicapped child, or an even less caring social program through our government, but cause these children to be separated by giving them somewhere else to go. Are you up for the commitment?

Sincerely,
Dana Lefey Maeve
Vice Chairman
Invisible Youth Network

Monday July 30, 2007, 8:02 am
Noted thank-you for posting

Monday July 30, 2007, 6:36 pm
There are federal laws in all 50 states that protect the employee if an accusation of abuse of any state, or private facility. I think what happens is that certain people that work within these places take a person threat against individuals who they feel will tell about any sort of abuse.When I was a Temporary Caregiver going into a facility for the first time, you are made very well aware that you are a temporary staffer, and although they have to have you in their place, they are under the mistaken impression that you (temporary staff), only there out of the facilities graces. When your a temp., their concept of you is that you have no rights as a visitior in their place. They are very wrong. For even though they will not put you through their orientation process so you can learn how their facility is run, that they can treat you as if you either are misinformed about the legal obligations in regard to levels of care and abuse, or they try to impress on you that you have no voice. That you will not report what you observe, and you will not be validated if you do report.
So many of these places are using temporary staffing because the turn over of employess are staggeringly high. They run short staffed, and really don't care about the laws until they are reported, and not until State appears yearly for their evaluation.
I thought I had seen it all in ten years, but when you are a temp in these places....you get get to see the down and dirty as it really is. I have no fear of reporting what I know to be wrong or abusive. Why? Because I'm in there places to care for the residents, not there for the facility.

Tuesday July 31, 2007, 6:16 pm
Noted/thanks

Tuesday July 31, 2007, 6:33 pm
Noted & Thanks