Pennhurst State School and Hospital is Put on Trial

The transcript details the legal battle to close Pennhurst, an institution for people with disabilities. Initially, the lawsuit aimed to improve conditions, but it evolved into a fight to close the institution. The case involved various parties, including the Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Citizens and the Justice Department. The trial revealed severe mistreatment of residents, leading to a landmark ruling by Judge Broderick that Pennhurst violated constitutional rights. Despite appeals, the case reached the Supreme Court, ultimately resulting in the closure of Pennhurst and a shift towards community-based services.

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