mental hospital escape
A mental hospital escape or break is the act of a patient leaving the mental hospital
through unofficial or illegal ways. Normally, when this occurs, an effort is made on
the part of authorities to recapture them and return them to their original detainers.
Escaping from a mental hospital is also a criminal offense in many places, and
it is likely to result in additional incarceration, as well as the patient being
placed under increased security.
The terms jailbreak and prison break are not used in law. For example, in New
York State Article 205 of the Penal Law refers to: "Escape And Other Offenses
Relating To Custody". The code differentiates escape from a "Detention
Facility" from the lesser escape from custody. Absconding (not voluntarily
returning from being temporarily released), resisting arrest, hindering
prosecution (assisting an escapee) and contraband related offenses are also
covered in the same section of law. Severity depends on the nature of patient's
inclusion whether it be court ordered or voluntary.
A recent escape from Eastern State Hospital in Medical Lake,
Washington occurred on September 17, 2009. Hospital employees took a
group of 31 forensic ward patients on a supervised field trip to the
Spokane County Interstate Fair. One of these patients, 47-year-old
Phillip A. Paul of Goldendale, Washington, wandered away from the group
and could not be located by Hospital staff. The escape led to widespread
distress because of Paul's criminal past- a paranoid schizophrenic, Paul
was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the brutal 1987 murder of
a Sunnyside, Washington woman (�Patient�). Yet, supervisors on the field
trip waited two hours before alerting authorities of Paul's escape.
During an extensive search of the fairgrounds immediately following the
notification of the escape deputies concluded Paul had already left the
premises. While the fairgrounds were not shut down during the search,
upon hearing of the escape fairgoers were angered by the decision to
bring a criminally insane patient to such a populated community event.
One of those fairgoers, Jennifer Craig, told the Spokesman Review at the
time, �I think it's wrong- it's totally wrong. You're putting too many
kids and old disabled people like me at risk� (�Criminally Insane�).
Paul was found and taken back into custody just outside of Goldendale three
days after escaping the fair. Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich said Paul
conned a friend into giving him a ride from Spokane to Goldendale. Three Spokane
deputies made the arrest after Paul tried to hitch a ride in their undercover
and unmarked van. At the time of his arrest, Paul was reportedly carrying a
backpack with food, clothing and personal items as well as a guitar, sleeping
bag and hand scythe (�Friend�). |
