An investigative report documents a pattern of violence and abuse at an Illinois mental health facility.
The report published by ProPublica documented dozens of cases of alleged mistreatment of patients by staff at the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center, a state-run institution in Southern Illinois. At least 40 criminal investigations have been opened up into incidents at the facility, and 26 employees have been charged with felonies over the past ten years, accused of beating, choking, and physically and sexually assaulting patients.
The Illinois Department of Human Services says problems at the facility date back a long time, and says it is taking steps to implement reforms, including increased training and monitoring of staff.
