CONTACT: Zena Naiditch, 312-895-7314, zena@equipforequality.org
Stacey Aschemann, 478-437-5356, stacey@equipforequality.org
STATEMENT FROM EQUIP FOR EQUALITY
Multiple Serious Incidents at Choate Developmental Center
CHICAGO – EFE applauds ProPublica for its recent reporting on the multiple, serious incidents of abuse and neglectful practices at Choate Developmental Center over the past few years. These very troubling reports make clear that we are not talking about a few bad actors, but a culture and pattern of staff behavior that fails to recognize the humanity of the individuals that are there to receive care. On top of this, the reports revealed evidence of staff cover-ups designed to ensure the abuses remained secret, leaving people – many with very limited communication abilities – without justice, protection or help to address the trauma they experienced at the staffs’ hands. Unfortunately, these problems are not new and are a continuation of concerns Equip for Equality reported to the State in 2005 and the U.S. Department of Justice shared in its 2009 findings letter.
EFE is currently engaged in enhanced monitoring at the Choate Developmental Center to assess the quality of services and whether the investments DHS Secretary Hou announced in June 2022 are resulting in meaningful improvements to individuals’ lives and safety.
We expect to issue a comprehensive public report about conditions at the Center and its impact on the lives of the residents with developmental disabilities in Spring 2023.
References:
ProPublica Series: https://www.propublica.org/series/culture-of-cruelty
DOJ 2009 Findings Letter: https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/crt/legacy/2010/12/15/Choate_findlet_11-09-09.pdf
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