New Forensic Facility In The Works At Norristown State Hospital

NORRISTOWN — Plans to construct a new 420-bed forensic hospital on the grounds of the Norristown State Hospital to meet the growing demand for psychiatric beds in southeastern Pennsylvania are underway.

A total of $242 million is allocated for the construction project, according to a press release from the state Department of Human Services.

The new forensic hospital would house court-ordered patients through the criminal justice system in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Delaware Bucks and Chester counties.

A county judge will commit a suspect for mental health treatment and/or order a psychiatric evalation in the event the suspect is a danger to him or herself and the community.

To date, the existing hospital has 375 beds in two buildings at the site, which has many closed buildings.

Crews are in the process of tearing down several rundown buildings on the 225-acre campus off Steriegere Street.

The state departments of Human Services and General Services on Wednesday announced the agencies are soliciting proposals from design professionals to construct the new facility to replace two rundown buildings.

The New Facility

The new forensic facility will provide care to individuals involved with county judicial or corrections systems who need psychiatric evaluations or ongoing treatment.

“Pennsylvanians served through Norristown’s forensic unit deserve timely, quality care in a compassionate, recovery-focused environment,” said Meg Snead, acting secretary of Human Services. "We are excited to work with our local and state partners to create a safe, trauma-informed, recovery-centered facility.”

Since 2017 when the civil section of the hospital closed, the state Department of Human Services worked closely with the Norristown community and municipal officials to determine the future of the property.

Previously, bed availability in the forensic unit was not sufficient to meet local needs.

As a result, the state entered into a settlement agreement with the American Civil Liberties Union to expand the forensic unit to reduce wait times.

To meet the needs of counties working with the hospital, the state agencies are committed to building a facility designed to enhance the safety of patients and staff, while providing a high quality of care for decades to come.

The state plans to share plans with the surrounding communities and solicit their feedback as the project moves forward.

History
In 1876, Pennsylvania lawmakers passed a law calling for a mental hospital in southeastern Pennsylvania.
The state Department of Human Services provides a history of the hospital, which opened in 1880, here.
The psyciatric hospital opened in 1880, is used for admissions for court-ordered patients through the criminal justice system.

The hospital buildings were separate but connected through tunnels.

In the 1930s and 1940s, electric shock therapy, insulin coma therapy and lobotomies became popular methods of treatment.

In 1947, the hospital provided services to 5,000 individuals in need of mental health services.

In 2019, the civil section of the hospital, which housed 120 individuals, closed and is used today for forensic patients.

The hospital has another building with 137 beds for forensic patients.