Provide names of other journalists involved.
Andrea K. Walker Meredith Cohn
List date(s) this work was published or aired.
11/8/2011
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
Perkins is the state’s forensic hospital, meaning this is where they send the most dangerous of the criminally insane. After a spate of killings we outlined all of the troubles of the institution from workers’ and patients’ perspective and what might be done to improve care and safety in such institutions.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
We used court records on alleged abuse, letters from patients and workers to officials and data from the state on staffing, discipline and funding.
Explain types of human sources used.
We secured interviews with patients, their families, workers, administrators, legislators and outside observers.
Results:
The state has hired two consultants to evaluate all the procedures taken at the hospital in terms of security, evaluating and medicating of patients and staffing. Officials have asked for funding for 90 more workers to increase the ratio of workers to patients.
Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
We’ve continued to hear from patients and workers and continue to follow-up on changes to how the institution in run and how all forensic patients in the state are treated. No corrections or clarifications.
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Inmates are somewhat unreliable sources so it’s important to talk to their families and their lawyers and get every court and government document you can. Some of the specific information on hours staffers were logging, discipline and daily functions we got from the state budget and legislative audits after state health and hospital officials gave refused or gave us incomplete information, so make sure to check alternative sources when you’re dealing with a public institution.