Medium- and maximum-security units for psychiatric patients in Ontario

A brief history of the development of a three-level system of security within the Ontario psychiatric hospital system is followed by a presentation of data regarding the maximum- and medium-security units and the patients in those units in 1984. A large proportion of the beds were occupied by patients held on Warrants of the Lieutenant Governor (WLGs). A review of the number of persons held on WLGs both in the province as a whole and in the medium- and maximum-security units over the past several years suggest that there will be an increased demand on these units for beds for WLGs in the future. The characteristic of medium- and maximum-security units are discussed and programs and program needs, are summarized.