A review of criminally insane patients in Ohio: a personal narrative

In 1974, acting on precedents set in other cases, a federal district court in Ohio ordered the re-evaluation of all patients committed to Lima State Hospital to determine the need for their continuing to be held in a maximum-security facility. The court set a 12 week period for the review of more than 600 patients by three-member teams consisting of a psychiatrist, a psychologist, and a social worker. The author, a psychoanalyst, was one of approximately 30 professionals who volunteered to participate in the project, which was completed three weeks ahead of schedule. He describes the review process and his personal reactions and observations as a participant.