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The OMH don't like it.
Rock the Casbah.
Construction of Rockland started in 1927 on a 600-acre campus, and opened in 1931 with 60 patients transferred in from Manhattan State Hospital. The 5,768 bed facility also boasted a power station, a farm, and industrial shops. The shops and farm were staffed by patients and produced much of what the hospital needed. Rockland was held up as one of the best planned facility, and even described as a "Therapeutic Suburb." Insulin shock, electroshock, and lobotomies began in 1937. By 1941 the hospital was suffering (like many were) from over-crowding, and spread of infection. Sick patents were not quarantined from the healthy patients. Beds were even being placed in day rooms. Of course when the the US entered the Second World War many of the staff were drafted into the army, leaving un-qualified, or under-qualified staff manning the hospital. It got so bad that there was one doctor for every 300 patients. Peek population was reached in 1959 with 9,000 people on site, 2,000 being staff. Through the 1970s de-institutionalization started seeing many of the patients transferred out of the hospital into group homes and many buildings closed. Today Rockland still has 410 ten beds, with more focus on stabilizing clients and preparing them to return to their communities and various outpatient services.
Yes, I was listening to The Clash while editing these photos.
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