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Show Page 8—THE HERALD, Provo, Utah Sunday, October 3, 1971 1885-1957 UTAH STATE HOSPITAL MAXIMUM SECURITY WARD NOTE The idea for these murals was originally conceived by WandaAllen, headattendant of Ward 56. They were designed and painted by Blaine M, Yorgason, at- tendant. Much valuable assistance was rendered by Renon Brown, James Dunn and other ward personnel. The entire project has been financed with Ward 56 funds. in self defense. Straight jackets (upperlett) were a Iron screens and double doors secured our “maximum security unit” from its beginning. “Insane inmates’ common sight until the late 50's, helping to curb room (upper right) of 1% inch steel bars wasbuilt in 1932. Living conditions were inhumane, cells were opened by outside levers and food was placed in aluminum bowls with no utensils. In 1937, Dr. Samual Hamilton,after visiting the strong roam, exclaimed, “Weplan better for captive tigers.” In 1950 the cells were removed, Weapons ofall sorts abo"nded for use violence and fighting which occurred almost constaritly among the “insane inmates,” Patients (lower left) were often found nude or in the old bib overalls sitting on floors, fighting, in handcuffs, or trying to eat from a round-bottomed bowl while the attendants looked on, A few straight-backed benches were bolted to the floors in the hallways, but never enough for the seventy-odd “crazy people” found in Ward 5. startedriots and had mass AWOLs until finally a strong These murals are hanging in one of the rooms of the maximum security ward rooms at Utah State Hospital. ‘Theytell the history of the development of that ward into the therapeutic community which it is today, helping to make the parece pelepg ts field. As the “Note” e mural at upper left explains, these murals were couceived and produced bythe patients and ee ward.It is their story as told by In 1957 geographical units were formed, family visiting days began, and an embryo patient government was born. However, it rapidly became a kangaroo court. On April 4, pees Dr. Roger S.ria assumed responsibility for Ward 5 \d immediately, began to encourage change, He said, “We tae always ‘old patients they were responsible, but our actions, such as locks on doors, prove otherwise. If we are going to say they are responsible, let’s give them some responsibility.” Attendants and staff (upper left) were appalled, some even ieaving the unit. But after consultation from Dr. Maxwell Jones of England in 7 and 1962, concerning the sessions, a chance for real patient responsibility evolved. A steering committee was elected, and the ward began making commitments as to what responsibility it wanted to assume. On a summer evening in 1960 (lower left), five “insane” patients and an attendantwere invited to a doctors’ seminar. ‘They walked down the road to Superintendent Heninger’s home to present their plans for patient government. The response was,‘Prove it.” In 1951 (top center), the patients wrote their first constitution for patient government. ‘The one-to-one buddy system (top right) began, and a — elected patient cot (bottom center) began coordinating ward responsibilities and privileges. ses helpeddecide who was toPare industrial assignments pass privileges (bottom right). They began a unit baseball nen and began developing inner security. Patients were proving, “We can be responsible.” Murals at State Hospital Display Evolution of Therapeutic Concept em. ‘The note and the narratives, which are printed beneath or beside the murals, were a part of the murals in painted letters. However, they could not be adequately reproduced photographically, su The Daily Herald had them reprinted word-for-word in newspaper type. 1961-1964 Inner security proved itself in 1961 when the ward went on a picnic to Salem Park (upper right) and provided its own security without an incident. Itishard to say which of the numerous AWOLs or incidents of injury and abuse led to the formation of a patient posse. Cne exampleis that of two patients who, sensing the lone attendant’s dilemma, requested permission (lower left) to go after a man who had escaped by pushing a piano through the door. True to the trust and responsibility given them they captured the eaten (also shown) and returned to the ward with him. On Feb. 2, 1964, Wards 5 and 6 (a woman’s ward) integrated governments, meals and social activities (upper left). Remarkable changes in appearance and behavior then occurred with both sexes. In 1964, (bottom center) iron grill office and door windows were replaced with plain plate glass. Andlater in 1966,irongrills were removed from the windowsin the alcove,dining room and TV rooms. Tranguilizers (bottom right), which had hess in use since 1955, now became important assisting treatmentrather than just sedating the patients, In three short years our ward became more like a hospital and less like prison. Attendants, staff and patients were working together to become “one world” through a “therapeutic community.” 1964-1970 Imagineinsane inmates holding keys (bottom right) and sitting their own doorwatch. They assumed the responsibilityearly in 1964. And by January of1967,also held keysto the outer door of Ward 56. Other therapeutic processes soon evolved, , on and off grounds posse, swimming in Salt:ake City, fashion and talent shows,4th of July fioats, andfinally, in July of 1967, a one week camping trip (lower left). Community meetings (upper left), which began in 1961,including attendants,staff, patients and oftenrelatives and visitors, discussed individual and ward problems. In 1968, patients began sending a representative to morningstaff meetings (upper right), andpatient attendant assistants began giving seclusion breaks, holding supply room keys, and watching the ward while attendants were away. In 1969, patients began eatingat a cafeteria in another building, and an active unit panel (bottom center) was organized to inform the public about the true nature of our therapeutic community. Changes continue to go on. Naturally processes in the communitywill at times break down. Whenthis occurs, a halt is called by the patients, attendants or staff and the program is re-evaluatedbythe patients. These halts almost always result in ficial changes in the program, Here again we work as a therapeutic community to prove that we can be responsible for our own behavior. Yes, we have become involved and we will become more so; for recovery comes largely becuse of ow’ own efforts and involvement, and after all, “recovery” is what Ward 56 is all about. |