Efficacy of Service Delivery Reforms at Bridgewater State Hospital

The Disability Law Center has almost eight years of continuous daily oversight at BSH. While progress has been made, it is abundantly clear that there is significant work to be done to protect the rights of individuals confined at Bridgewater State Hospital. Monitoring confirms that, while certain specifics may have shifted over the years, many of the pillars of Bridgewater State Hospital's inadequacy remain. Concerns about the economic toll and health and safety risks resulting from physical plant conditions; providers’ failure to comply with legal requirements concerning administration and documentation of PS restraint and seclusion; the prevailing culture of intimidation; and the lack of immediate and robust programming upon admission are all reminiscent of the deficiencies that gave rise to DLC’s initial investigation and settlement agreement in 2014.