Lawmakers Call for Investigation Into Psychiatric Hospital

Key Maine lawmakers are calling for a full investigation into the state-run Riverview Psychiatric Center following a newspaper article alleging abuse of patients by workers.

Republican state Sen. Roger Katz, of Augusta, and Democratic state Sen. Margaret Craven, of Lewiston, tell the Portland Press Herald they intend to vote to start an in-depth investigation of Riverview by the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability, a watchdog agency within state government.

Craven and Katz serve on the Legislature's Government Oversight Committee.

Craven calls the culture at Riverview "shameful."

The 92-bed Augusta hospital houses mentally ill patients convicted of crimes as well as involuntarily committed civil patients.

Interim Riverview Superintendent Jay Harper says reforms are already underway and he will cooperate fully in any state investigation.