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First facility for the "criminally insane" founded in New York State.

1857

The Story of Disability Justice
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A growing reform movement opposes housing people with mental health disabilities in prison, believing that neurodivergent incarcerated people should be housed in different facilities. The New York State Legislature allocates $20,000 to build an asylum as an extension of Auburn Prison in upstate New York. This leads to the creation of the New York State "Lunatic Asylum" for "Insane Convicts" directly adjacent to the prison, separated by a twelve foot wall.