DHS May End Contract With Mental Home
By: Import User
Updated: January 7, 2009
A judge may stand in the way of a state plan
to transfer mental patients who were charged with serious crimes to
private care.
The state Department of Human Services has decided not to renew
its three million dollar contract with the company that runs
the Arkansas Partnership Program. The change would mean that 39
patients who were acquitted of serious crimes because they are
mentally ill would move to a private facility or outpatient care.
The contract expires June 30th.
The state gave notice two weeks ago. Circuit Judge Mary S.
McGowan of Little Rock says the lack of notice shows an
indifference to the program.
McGowan says she has jurisdiction over a majority of the 39
patients in the program. In an interview, she said she would be
reluctant to authorize the transfers without substantial assurances
of public safety.
