FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                    CR
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1994                                 (202) 616-2765
                                                         TDD (202) 514-1888


          JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ASKS TO HOLD HAWAII IN CONTEMPT FOR
              FAILING TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS AT STATE HOSPITAL

     WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Justice Department today asked a
federal court to hold the State of Hawaii in contempt for failing
to improve conditions at the state hospital.  It called the current
situation one of chaos and crisis in which staff physically abuse
patients and retaliate against colleagues who have reported the
abuse.
     Today's contempt motion accused the state of failing to comply
with a September 1991 agreement in which it promised to upgrade
conditions at the Hawaii State Hospital in Kaneohe.  In papers
filed in U.S. District Court in Honolulu, the Justice Department
cited severe understaffing, physical abuse and neglect of patients,
and refusal to discipline abusive employees.
     The Justice Department also contended that the hospital is so
critically understaffed that patients do not receive appropriate
psychiatric treatment, remain unattended while in restraints, and
are not prevented from assaulting each other.
     "Three years ago we turned to the court to help improve
conditions and to provide adequate psychiatric care at the
hospital," said Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Deval
L. Patrick. "The state has failed to carry out its responsibilities
and we must now turn back to the court to protect the rights of the
patients."
     The Justice Department began investigating conditions at the
hospital in 1989, after a study by a national advocacy group listed
it as the worst in the nation.  After concluding that conditions
failed to meet constitutional standards, the Justice Department
sued the state in March 1991.  In September 1991, the state agreed
to upgrade conditions at the facility. 
     Eighteen former and current staff members signed sworn
statements also filed today in court echoing the Justice
Department's concerns.
     Today's action asks the court to assign an independent monitor
to oversee the state's compliance efforts, force the state to hire
additional staff and reduce the hospital population to a level
where staff can adequately supervise patients, ensure their safety,
and provide treatment. 
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94-702