The Justice Department has launched an investigation under the Americans with Disabilities Act into whether Michigan “unnecessarily institutionalizes adults with serious mental illness” in psychiatric hospitals.

Why Is DOJ Investigating Michigan Psychiatric Hospitals?

Officials will investigate whether the state is failing to provide mental health services that help residents make the transition from state psychiatric hospitals to living stably in the community when they are ready to go home.

“The Americans with Disabilities Act protects people’s right to receive mental health care in the community, rather than remaining in a hospital when they are ready to go home,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This survey will assess whether Michigan is keeping the ADA’s promise that people with disabilities be served in the most inclusive setting appropriate. The Civil Rights Division will continue to advocate for states to provide people with disabilities the services they need to avoid unnecessary institutionalization.”

The Department of Justice notified Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s Office and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services before announcing this investigation.

“Our office is committed to investing the resources necessary to investigate these allegations because we will never tire of ensuring that all citizens are afforded the full protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act,” said U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison for Eastern District of Michigan.

The department has not yet reached any conclusions as part of this investigation.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Department of Justice at [email protected], 888-392-5415 or through the Civil Rights Division’s Civil Rights Portal at civilrights.justice.gov/.

How many psychiatric hospitals does Michigan have?

The state operates four psychiatric hospitals that serve adults, according to its website, and include:

• Caro Psychiatric Hospital (Caro)

• Center for Forensic Psychology (Saline)

• Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital (Kalamazoo)

• Walter Reuther Psychiatric Hospital (Westland)

The state’s only psychiatric hospital for adolescents and children was the Hawthorn Center in Northville, but patients were transferred to Walter Reuther Hospital while a new facility is being built at the site of the Hawthorn Center.

Recent Concerns Over Michigan Psychiatric Hospitals

In recent years, lawmakers and other officials have done so expressed concern about how these state psychiatric hospitals is running.

The Hawthorn Center made headlines after one unannounced active shooting practice happened inside the facility on December 21, 2022.

The exercise caused panicked 911 calls to law enforcement officials, who were also not notified of the exercise in advance. Police response added to the panic as it made those who first thought it might be a drill believe it was real.

This led to a $13 million class action settlement against the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and raised concerns from lawmakers about how Michigan’s psychiatric hospitals are run.

Senate Bills 1048 and 1049 was introduced in October, which would have experts from outside advocacy groups oversee decision-making for patients at state psychiatric facilities.

There was also a lawsuit filed against the state earlier this year after staff at Walter Reuther, which currently houses children, allegedly “encouraged” a girl to assault a 10-year-old boy.