FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          CR
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 1995                          (202) 616-2765
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888

                                 
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT MOVES TO MAINTAIN COURT ORDERED PROGRAMS FOR
    MENTALLY DISABLED RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

     WASHINGTON, D.C -- The Justice Department today asked a
federal court in the District of Columbia to hold the District in
civil contempt for violating longstanding court decrees to
provide appropriate care for its mentally disabled residents.
     In a motion, filed today in U.S. District Court in
Washington, D.C., the Justice Department asked the court to
prevent the District from closing down existing residences and
terminating training programs for mentally disabled persons.  It
alleged that District officials were not complying with existing
court orders by failing to pay those private parties who operate
the community services.
     Numerous providers, some of whom claim they have not been
paid for up to four months, insist that without funds they will
be forced to close their facilities.  As a result, hundreds of
mentally disabled citizens may be illegally confined in
potentially more costly institutions in the District.   Many of
the mentally disabled citizens were former residents of Forest
Haven, a mental retardation institution closed in 1991 by court
order.    
     The Justice Department also seeks an audit of individual
resident accounts amid allegations of widespread irregularities
in the management of these funds.  It also requests the
appointment of a Special Master to ensure that no facilities are
closed, that all necessary programs are restored, and that any
additional threats of closing are averted in the future.   
     The case, Evans and United States v. Barry, has been
assigned to Judge John Pratt. 
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95-139