Criminally Insane 9-18-25

Although the term "asylum" is outdated and associated with archaic, often inhumane practices, the U.S. does operate specialized, secure psychiatric facilities for the criminally insane in 2025. These facilities are typically called forensic psychiatric hospitals.  

Shift from asylums to modern facilities

The mental health system underwent a major overhaul during the deinstitutionalization movement of the mid-20th century. While many general psychiatric hospitals and long-term care facilities were closed, facilities for mentally ill people in the criminal justice system remained and evolved. 

Key differences between the old asylum system and today's forensic hospitals include:

• Terminology: The term "asylum" is no longer in official use due to its negative historical connotations. The modern term is "forensic psychiatric hospital" or "secure treatment facility".
• Mandate: Patients are legally committed for treatment, not simply housed. They typically include individuals who are found "not guilty by reason of insanity," are incompetent to stand trial, or require psychiatric evaluation.
• Security: These facilities operate with a high level of security, similar to correctional institutions, to manage individuals who may be a danger to themselves or others. 

Ongoing issues and recent developments

• Continuing need: The need for specialized care for mentally ill offenders persists. Many states report shortages of forensic beds, leading to long waiting lists.
• Alternative placements: Due to a lack of available psychiatric beds, many people with severe mental illness are incarcerated in jails and prisons, where they may not receive adequate treatment. Some correctional facilities, such as those in Delaware, have created their own residential treatment units.
• New construction: In response to these shortages, some states are building new forensic facilities. As of 2025, states like Kansas, New Hampshire, and Montana have plans to add more forensic beds.
• Focus on treatment: Today's model focuses on treatment and rehabilitation. For example, Oregon's system of intensive care and supervision for those found "guilty except for insanity" has shown very low recidivism rates. 

Example of a forensic hospital

• Patton State Hospital in California is a prime example of a modern forensic hospital, with a large capacity for patients committed by the judicial system. 

In the U.S., the term "asylum" for the criminally insane is no longer used, but facilities serving a similar purpose do exist in 2025. These are now called forensic psychiatric hospitals or forensic mental health facilities. 

Here is what you need to know about these facilities today:

• Renamed and modernized: The historical asylums known for poor conditions and warehousing patients were largely phased out by the 1970s through a process called deinstitutionalization. The facilities that remain today operate under modern regulations and are focused on treatment, not just confinement.
• Focus on treatment: Unlike prisons, the primary goal of forensic hospitals is psychiatric treatment, rehabilitation, and stabilization. The patients in these facilities are individuals who have been found "not guilty by reason of insanity" or are otherwise court-committed for mental health treatment.
• Dual function: These facilities serve two distinct purposes:
• Incompetent to stand trial (IST): Stabilizing defendants so they are mentally fit to understand the charges against them and assist in their own defense.
• Not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI): Providing long-term treatment for those found to be criminally insane. A patient's stay is not a fixed sentence but continues until they are no longer deemed a danger to themselves or others.
• Examples in the US: Several states continue to operate forensic facilities for mentally ill offenders. Examples include:
• California: Patton State Hospital
• New Jersey: Ancora Psychiatric Hospital
• Oregon: Oregon State Hospital
• Ongoing challenges: The current system faces challenges, including a shortage of beds and a high number of severely mentally ill people in jails and prisons instead of psychiatric hospitals. This places a heavy burden on the correctional system, which is not equipped to provide adequate mental healthcare. 

https://www.google.com/search?q=does+the+us+have+asylums+for+the+criminally+insane+in+2025

Comments

I would define “Criminally Insane” to include Serial and Mass Killers sentenced to “Life in Prison” in a High Security Psychiatric Prison.

I would define those defendants who are not cognitively competent to stand trial as “Demented” and remanded by the Court to be locked up in a State or Federal Facility for “Life”. If they improve or “recover” they could would work as “Trustees” and remain in their facilities.

I would advise the “mental health crowd” to remove the “Wokeness” from their lexicon of slippery Terms.

Many “Mentally Ill” people can function and become “self-supporting”. Those who have treatable Schizophrenia can be “high functioning” if they take their medication.  Those who have treatable Manic Depression are “high functioning:” during their manic periods.

Curing Drug and Alcohol Addiction requires “hitting bottom” and asking God to help them overcome thei addiction. Most initial “Rehab Treatments” fail until the addict decides to change.

Most “Dementia” patients and many “Older” patients who require Nursing Home assistance are cared for in Retirement Homes.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader