Republican members of the Connecticut legislature’s Public Health Committee have called for a full investigation into the systematic abuse of a 62-year-old patient at Whiting Forensic Division, the state's maximum security forensic hospital in Middletown.
So far, nine employees who were caught on videotape abusing the patient have been arrested on cruelty charges. In addition, 31 other employees have been suspended for their role in the abuse scandal.
State Senator Heather Somers, co-chair of the Public Health Committee said the psychiatric hospital has fostered a “culture of cruelty”.
State Representative and Republican gubernatorial candidate Dr. Prasad Srinivasan said the investigation will start with a public hearing before the end of the month to figure out why the abuse of this particular patient was able to go on for so long.
“The harm that has happened here is unimaginable, unacceptable, and hence needs to be fully investigated,” he said.
Srinivasan added he would like to know why videotapes of the patient abuse were not reviewed by management. The scandal was brought to light by a whistleblower earlier this year. The patient has since been moved to safe facility.
