At one point in the 1950s, more than half a million Americans were confined to state psychiatric institutions, many of them for life. Today, the total number of state psychiatric beds in the U.S ...

As public policy shifted toward community-based care in the 1960s and psychotropic drugs hit the market, these asylums were rendered obsolete and Kirkbridge’s plan was viewed a failed experiment.

At one point in the 1950s, more than half a million Americans were confined to state psychiatric institutions, many of them for life. Today, the total number of state psychiatric beds in the U.S ...