The 1970s constitute the decade of decisions about state mental hospi- tals These large, monolithic, and seemingly impervious institutions are being phased out in some states and their basic purpose for exis- tence is being seriously questioned in almost all others. Since 1970, hospitals have closed in California, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Oklahoma, Washington, and Wisconsin. Simi- lar closings have occurred in several provinces of Canada, in Great Britain, and in some European countries. The purpose of the book is to examine the multiple issues growing out of...