Dangerous Asylums

Asylums, also known as mental institutions, have been around for centuries with the goal of providing care and treatment to individuals with mental illnesses. However, many asylums throughout history have become infamous for their inhumane and abusive practices. Here are five dangerous asylums that have left a dark mark in history.

01.Danvers State Hospital, Massachusetts

Danvers State Hospital, also known as the Danvers State Insane Asylum, was established in 1878 and was in operation until 1992. The hospital was known for its Kirkbride Plan architecture, which was a design used in many mental institutions during the 19th century. However, despite its architectural beauty, Danvers State Hospital was notorious for its abusive practices and conditions.

Patients were subjected to brutal and inhumane treatments, including lobotomies, electroconvulsive therapy, and hydrotherapy. The hospital was also known for its use of restraints and solitary confinement, which were used to control and subdue patients. Many patients were also subjected to neglect and mistreatment, leading to a high death rate.

02.Willowbrook State School, New York

Willowbrook State School was established in 1947 as a school for children with developmental disabilities. The institution quickly became infamous for its inhumane conditions, with reports of overcrowding, neglect, and abuse becoming widespread. In 1972, investigative journalist Geraldo Rivera exposed the horrific conditions at Willowbrook in a report that shocked the nation and led to widespread reforms in the treatment of individuals with developmental disabilities.

The school was overcrowded, with patients being housed in unsanitary and cramped conditions. Patients were also subjected to cruel and abusive practices, including being left in their own feces and being injected with hepatitis as part of medical experiments. The school was finally closed in 1987, but its legacy of abuse and neglect remains a dark chapter in the history of asylums.

03.Bethlem Royal Hospital, England

Bethlem Royal Hospital, also known as Bedlam, was one of the first mental institutions in the world and was established in 1247. The hospital was known for its abusive and inhumane practices, with patients being subjected to cruel treatments such as beatings, starvation, and confinement in cages. The hospital was also used as a tourist attraction, with visitors paying to view the "insane" patients.

In the 19th century, the hospital was reformed and modernized, but its reputation for abuse and neglect remained. The hospital was finally closed in 1930 and was later used as a military hospital during World War II. Today, the site is a museum that serves as a reminder of the dark history of asylums.

04.Pennhurst State School and Hospital, Pennsylvania

Pennhurst State School and Hospital was established in 1908 as a school for individuals with developmental disabilities. The institution was known for its inhumane conditions, with patients being subjected to cruel and abusive practices, including being left in isolation for extended periods of time and being subjected to restraints and electroconvulsive therapy.

In 1968, the National Council on Institutions and Organizations exposed the horrific conditions at Pennhurst, leading to widespread outrage and calls for reform. The institution was finally closed in 1987, but its legacy of abuse and neglect remains a dark chapter in the history of asylums.

05.Athens State Hospital, Ohio

Athens State Hospital was established in 1874 as the Athens Asylum for the Insane. The institution was known for its inhumane and abusive practices, including the use of restraints, solitary confinement, and electroconvulsive therapy. Patients were also subjected to neglect and mistreatment, leading to a high death rate.

In addition to the abuse and neglect suffered by patients, the hospital was also notorious for its inadequate staffing and lack of resources. This resulted in a high turnover rate among staff and a lack of proper care and treatment for patients. The hospital was also known for its poor hygiene and unsanitary conditions, which contributed to the spread of disease and death among patients.

Despite efforts to reform and modernize the hospital, its reputation for abuse and neglect continued to haunt it. In 1993, the hospital was finally closed and the property was sold to Ohio University. Today, the site is used for educational and research purposes, serving as a reminder of the dark history of asylums and the need for improved care and treatment for individuals with mental illnesses.

These five dangerous asylums are a stark reminder of the brutal and inhumane practices that have been carried out in the name of mental health treatment. Despite reforms and advancements in the field of psychiatry, the legacy of these institutions remains a haunting reminder of the need for ongoing efforts to improve the care and treatment of individuals with mental illnesses.