Logan Reid
Lima State Hospital for the Criminally Insane, located in Lima, Ohio, opened in 1915 to house those found guilty of crimes while insane. It was the largest poured-concrete structure in the world before the construction of the Pentagon. The hospital has been described by inmates, staff members, state officials, and Ohio's governors as a chamber of horrors due to the use of electric shock treatment as punishment, the beating of prisoners, and homosexual attacks by attendants on patients. In 1971, 31 ex-employees appeared in court on charges ranging from assault to sodomy. The hospital closed its doors in 2004.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Lima State Hospital for the Criminally Insane |
| Location | Lima, Ohio, United States |
| Year opened | 1915 |
| Patient profile | Those found guilty of crimes while insane |
| Number of wings | 17 |
| Original capacity | 1,400 patients |
| Year closed | 2004 |
| Conditions | Electric shock treatment, beatings, sexual assaults |
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What You'll Learn
Lima State Hospital for the Criminally Insane: history
The Lima State Hospital for the Criminally Insane, located in Lima, Ohio, opened in July 1915. It was built to house 1,100 patients, though it only had one patient at the time of its opening—Giovanni Catino, an Italian man who had been tried for murder in Marysville and was described as a "degenerate" by the local media. Soon, however, more patients began arriving in large groups from overcrowded state institutions in Toledo, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, and elsewhere. By December 1915, the hospital had 619 patients, including Wolfe Levine, a Russian Jew who had immigrated to America at the age of 14 and was institutionalized due to "persecutory delusions" and "auditory hallucinations" after serving a sentence for pickpocketing.
The state of Ohio invested $2.1 million (about $50 million in today's dollars) in the construction of the hospital, which boasted 17 wings and was considered the largest poured-concrete structure in the world prior to the construction of the Pentagon. The hospital was the result of over a decade of lobbying by Lima residents and leaders, who saw the potential economic benefits of having such an institution in their city.
Little is known about the daily life of patients at Lima State Hospital, though census records indicate a diverse population with patients from various countries and backgrounds. The hospital transitioned from a mental health hospital to a medium-security prison in 1982, and it was announced in January 2003 that the Lima Correctional Institution would close.
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Patient experiences and testimonies
While there is little information on the day-to-day experiences of patients at Lima State Hospital for the Criminally Insane, we can piece together some patient experiences and testimonies. One such account is that of Wolfe Levine, whose journey to the hospital began in 1910 with a criminal conviction for pickpocketing. After serving less than two years in the state reformatory, Wolfe began exhibiting "persecutory delusions" and "auditory hallucinations". He was transferred to Lima State Hospital in 1915, where he was listed as a “Russian Jew”, one of 1,400 patients from a diverse range of backgrounds.
Wolfe's story is described by his great-nephew as "tragic", dating from an era of large, public mental health institutions that have since fallen out of favour. While little is known about Wolfe's personal experiences at the hospital, his great-nephew speculates that he may have found satisfaction in helping with chores and comfort in visits from a Toledo rabbi. Wolfe was safe and warm during the cold Ohio winters, something that may not have been the case for all patients at similar institutions.
In 1974, a federal district court in Ohio ordered the re-evaluation of all patients committed to Lima State Hospital to determine if they needed to remain in a maximum-security facility. Over 600 patients were reviewed by three-member teams consisting of a psychiatrist, a psychologist, and a social worker. One of the approximately 30 professionals who volunteered to participate in the project described the review process and shared personal reactions and observations. Unfortunately, specific details of patient experiences during this time are not provided.
Another account of patient experiences at Lima State Hospital comes from a trip journal, which mentions the use of electroshock and trephination on patients. While the author expresses skepticism about the quality of care provided by mental hospitals in general, they do not share specific testimonies or experiences of patients at Lima.
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Electroshock and trephination
Trephination, also known as trepanning, preparation, or burr holing, is a procedure that involves removing a portion of the skull using an auger or saw. The practice dates back to around 6000 B.C. and was used to treat headaches, mental illness, and demonic possession. Archaeologists have discovered ancient skulls with trepanation holes, indicating that the procedure was performed in prehistoric times. In ancient times, it was believed that clotted blood inside the skull could turn into pus and disturb brain functioning, so trephination was used as an emergency surgery method to save people. However, trephination was later strongly condemned and outlawed in the late 1800s due to its inhumane and ineffective nature, often leaving patients with irreparable brain damage.
Both electroshock therapy and trephination have played a role in the evolution of mental health treatments. While electroshock therapy has been refined and is still used today, trephination is no longer a recognised medical procedure. These treatments reflect the changing approaches to mental health care, from the often barbaric and ineffective methods of the past to the more humane and effective treatments of the present.
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Inmate abuse and mistreatment
The Lima State Hospital for the Criminally Insane in Lima, Ohio, opened in July 1915. It was one of the largest poured concrete buildings in the United States, built to house 1,100 patients. However, when it first opened, it had only one patient, Giovanni Catino. Over time, the hospital population grew, and by December 1915, it had 619 patients.
The hospital has a history of inmate abuse and mistreatment, with multiple investigations and court cases brought forward throughout its operation. In the early 1970s, there were high-profile investigations into alleged abuse, including a 1974 class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of patients, which resulted in requirements to ensure each patient's right to "dignity, privacy, and human care." During this time, the hospital was described by inmates, staff members, state officials, and Ohio's governors as a "chamber of horrors."
Specific instances of abuse and mistreatment included the use of electric shock treatment as punishment, the beating of prisoners, and homosexual attacks by attendants on patients. In addition, boys as young as 13 or 14 were placed with hardened criminals, subjected to stifling regulations, and cruelly mistreated by workers and other patients. Some were beaten, and any sources of pleasure or enjoyment were taken away. Instruments were banned, and one patient had his guitar confiscated.
The hospital was chronically understaffed and lacked adequate medical supervision or direction. As a result of these issues, the hospital transitioned from a mental health hospital to a medium-security prison in 1982, and it was eventually closed down in 2003.
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Investigative journalism and legal consequences
Investigative journalism is a form of journalism in which reporters deeply investigate a single topic of interest, such as serious crimes, racial injustice, political corruption, or corporate wrongdoing. An investigative journalist may spend months or years researching and preparing a report. Practitioners sometimes use the terms “watchdog reporting” or "accountability reporting".
The practice of independent journalism is facing enormous challenges, ranging from authoritarian regimes implementing regressive laws that stifle free speech to journalists being unable to make a living from their work. To meet these challenges, journalists can benefit from understanding the protections provided by international law. For example, under International Human Rights Law, defamation can be understood as the protection against “unlawful attacks” on a person’s “honour and reputation”. Defamation lawsuits can be time-consuming and expensive, even if the case is won, so journalists should check their liability coverage and consider professional indemnity or liability insurance.
Many acts of investigative journalism would not be possible without confidential sources or whistleblowers, who may need anonymity to protect them from physical, economic, or professional retaliation. Media Defence is an international human rights organisation that provides legal defence for journalists, citizen journalists, and independent media under threat for their reporting. They have supported over 900 cases in 110 countries, helping to prevent over 290 years of detention for media workers and providing over $646 million in damages.
Legal documents have played a crucial role in many investigative journalism cases, such as the Boston Globe's investigation into child sex abuse in the Catholic Church. Court documents, depositions, and regulatory reports can be instrumental sources of accountability journalism. Additionally, indirect sourcing channels, such as litigation or regulatory investigations, can force powerful entities to release information that they would not otherwise volunteer. For example, Newsday’s 1995 Pulitzer-winning project on the abuse of disability pension funds by police officers was initiated by a tip that the system was rigged, followed by a FOIA request for all documents related to how disability funds were allocated.
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Frequently asked questions
Lima State Hospital for the Criminally Insane is located in Lima, Ohio.
Lima State Hospital for the Criminally Insane has been described as a "chamber of horrors" by inmates, staff members, state officials, and Ohio's governors. Conditions included the use of electric shock treatment as punishment, the beating of prisoners, and homosexual attacks by attendants on patients.
The hospital was designed to hold 1,400 patients across its 17 wings. However, in 1971, it was reported to hold 1,118 patients.
Lima State Hospital for the Criminally Insane closed its doors in 2004. Therefore, it is not possible to visit the hospital in its original form. However, the building still stands, and you may be able to access the site with appropriate permissions.
