22 August 2008- Austin, TX The US. Department of Justice Announced today that they are expanding their investigation into abuse and neglect of residents in Texas institutions for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Texas lags behind other states in deinstitutionalization and still has about 4600 people living in 13 large institutions. The investigation which initially was focused on Lubbock and Denton State Schools has been expanded to all 13 institutions. A letter to Texas Governor, Rick Perry indicated that Federal Investigators now have reason to suspect abuse and neglect at the remaining 13 facilities. The Houston Chronicle reports reaction from state officials as follows:
We welcome the scrutiny and will continue ongoing improvements of the quality of care provided in the state schools, ” said Laura Albrecht, a spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services.
Note: See previous article, Institutional Abuse: Denton, for related information.
Tags: Denton State School, intellectual disability, Texas institutions
