ASYLUM/PRISON REFORM

1. Dorothea Dix, Sunday school jail teacher, saw and did not agree with how mentally ill people were treated while in prison.

2. Her beliefs were that they needed to be taken care of and treated not tortured. Many in prison were chained to chairs and locked in cages. At the time MA had one private asylum that only wealthy could afford

3.After reports were sent demanding justice for the mentally ill, many states began creating special mental hospitals.

4.Prison cells were dirty and crammed with kids, adults, and mentally ill all put together.

5.Many prisoners were punished or isolated from groups and forced to be in silence and no socializing with anyone.