Blog

For immediate release: June 4, 2026

Baltimore, MD– After receiving complaints of abuse, neglect, and multiple patient deaths, Disability Rights Maryland (DRM) conducted a two-year investigation of Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center (CTPHC). The resulting report, “Treatment Not Trauma: Urgent Action Required to Protect Patients at the Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center”, released today, details key findings and recommendations to ensure patient safety.

The investigation found:

• Lack of Appropriate Medical Care
• Lack of Appropriate Behavioral Health Care
• Unlawful Use of Seclusion and Restraint
• Safety Concerns
• Lack of Transparency, Accountability, and Oversight

According to DRM Managing Attorney, Leslie Seid Margolis, “This report is the result of almost three years’ of onsite visits, interviews, and record reviews. This isn’t about one incident or one bad actor. The findings reflect deeper systemic failures that require immediate oversight, transparency, and reform.”

DRM Senior Advocate Tam Lynne Kelley said, “Basic standards for any facility include safety, dignity, and care. As a state psychiatric hospital, CTPHC should provide effective evaluation and treatment with the goal of enabling patients to recover. Sadly, that is not always the case. Patients experience violations of their rights, sometimes with tragic consequences.” Kelley noted that several patients have died after not receiving adequate medical care and that “things as simple as access to clean drinking water remain an outstanding issue at the hospital.”

CTPHC is one of Maryland’s state-operated psychiatric hospitals with an annual budget of $97 million. “Maryland spends millions of dollars to operate Perkins Hospital with the promise of ‘recovery-based trauma informed care for patients’. This report has revealed that is not the case,” according to Margolis.

The report points to three deaths at CTPHC, and one person who had serious medical complications following delayed medical care.  DRM Executive Director, Meghan Marsh said, “We are very concerned about what we found, and we remain optimistic that the current hospital leadership will work with us to improve conditions there. Patients should receive high-quality care in a therapeutic hospital environment. It really is that straightforward.”