Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, May 29, 1994 TAG: 9405290086
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
Allen said Friday that some immediate steps have been taken to increase security at the Dinwiddie County hospital while other measures will be reviewed first by the attorney general's office to make sure they are legal.
"These measures will significantly strengthen security at the hospital and ensure that the general public is protected from the danger posed by escaping patients," Allen said in a statement.
The governor received the report of an investigation conducted by Health and Human Resources Secretary Kay James and Public Safety Secretary Jerry Kilgore.
"They have found evidence of major, systemic deficiencies in security procedures and their implementation at the hospital," Allen said.
He did not detail the report's recommendations pending their review by the attorney general's office.
John Littel, deputy secretary of health and human resources, said steps already taken include the temporary suspension of privileges for all 174 patients at the hospital after being found innocent by reason of insanity.
The procedures for monitoring the patients have been tightened and their privileges will be reinstated soon, Littel said.
The privileges will be precisely described so they are not misinterpreted, he said.
"They're not prisoners. It's a real balance between public safety and treatment," Littel said.
The probe follows the escape of John T. Midgette, who walked off the unfenced hospital grounds April 23 after working a shift at a patient canteen.
Midgette, 52, admitted to killing his boss in Chesapeake but was found innocent by reason of insanity in 1990.
Midgette, who suffers from a mental illness described as a delusional disorder, had a hit list of six people he reportedly believed were plotting against him, including his boss.
Col. Wayne Huggins, superintendent of the Virginia State Police, said Friday that a written policy is being prepared to ensure potential crime victims like those on Midgette's list are notified as soon as possible.
State police did not notify the intended victims of Midgette because they were not believed to be in immediate danger, Huggins said.
Also, they feared an active investigation would place a complainant in a perilous position.
"In retrospect and regardless of investigative procedures in place at the time, potential victims of the alleged murder plot should have been contacted immediately," Huggins said.
by CNB