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IMPROVED CONDITIONS AT VIRGINIA BASED MENTAL INSTITUTION

WASHINGTON, D.C Today the Justice Department and the commonwealth of Virginia asked a U.S. District Court judge in Alexandria to dismiss a 1997 settlement agreement filed to resolve allegations of deficient care in the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute (NVMHI).

After years of federal oversight, state and federal officials now agree that the care and treatment at the Virginia state-run facility meet constitutional standards. NVMHI, located in Falls Church, was found to have implemented a comprehensive remedial plan outlined in the settlement agreement designed to ensure quality care and safety for its patients. As a result, the facility has alleviated serious deficiencies previously found by the Justice Department in mental health and medical care, supervision, treatment, and discharge planning.

"We must never allow unconstitutional conditions to go unaddressed in our nation's mental health facilities," said Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights William R. Yeomans. "The efforts of federal and state officials to improve conditions in Virginia's state institutions can serve as a model of law enforcement cooperation."

Under the settlement terms, Virginia has implemented a comprehensive plan at NVMHI. Some of the measures accomplished at NVMHI include:

• providing adequate psychiatric and psychological treatment and medical care for patients;

• development of an interdisciplinary planning process focused on individualized care;

• ensuring that all living conditions are safe and patients are protected from harm;

• ensuring that every patient is evaluated to determine whether placement in the facility is appropriate;

• development and implementation of an enhanced discharge and community development plan focused on individualized needs of each patient.

The Justice Department began its investigation into NVMHI in 1994. Under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), the Civil Rights Division jointly filed a lawsuit and settlement agreement in June 1997. Today's dismissal, approved by the court, signifies the state's compliance.

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