PETITION

STOP INSTITUTIONAL ABUSE

This petition is to encourage the State of New Jersey to enforce human rights laws on New Lisbon Developmental Center to a safer, cleaner, and more caring family oriented facility, and until New Lisbon is ready to comply to all human rights provisions as mandated by Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), that undercover state monitoring is to be initiated immediately, and that they install hidden cameras for the safety of everyone.  As for all perspective persons entering New Lisbon’s work force, they are to be schooled and licensed, given extensive background checks, and once hired, randomly tested for illicit drugs (including the CEO) during the life of their employment--no exceptions.  In lieu these changes, if the violence, abuses and deaths continue, I will submit this petition the State of New Jersey to close New Lisbon‘s doors permanently.                                                   

     
My brother, John T. Episcopo (28), was a resident in New Lisbon from 1991 to 1993. On July 24, 1993, it was reported that he was allowed to go on an unsupervised walk of the facility.  He was found dead 12 hours later from heat exposure in one of New Lisbon’s transport police cars.  New Lisbon officials said it was an “accident,” and that he intentionally locked himself in that car.

Prior to his untimely demise, he told my family that he was being beaten, threatened, abused by employees and residents, and that New Lisbon afforded him no protection whatsoever.  When my family questioned New Lisbon, they said my brother had an “active imagination,” that much of his delusions were caused by the medications he was taking, and that he was hurting himself for attention.  Nonsense!  Take note: there have been hundreds of unexplained abuses and questionable deaths at New Lisbon for years.  This must stop!  Please ladies and gentleman, sign the petition for the betterment, comfort, safety, and welfare for those to helpless to help themselves. Take a stand.  Make a difference.  Act now!  The victims will thank you.

--Michael Episcopo
Advocate For Justice

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