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
Updates
June 17, 2011
ive been reading the comments people are leaving and its clear this is a huge problem that has been ignored for way too long. i am currently putting together a package of these stories to send to the state officials so they cant pretend they dont see what is happening.
June 17, 2011
im honestly blown away by the response so far and it really shows people are fed up with what is happening at new lisbon. seeing this much momentum makes me feel like we might actually get someone in charge to pay attention for once.
6 Comments
how many more complaints do they need to see before they actually do something? disgusting.
Keep them safe. That should be priority #1. Fix it.
CAMERAS NOW. There is no excuse for lack of oversight when these people cant speak for themselves.
my brother was there and he wasnt safe. the reports are horrifying. shut it down if they cant treat people with dignity.
its heartbreaking what goes on behind those closed doors. they deserve so much better than this.
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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
Updates
June 17, 2011
ive been reading the comments people are leaving and its clear this is a huge problem that has been ignored for way too long. i am currently putting together a package of these stories to send to the state officials so they cant pretend they dont see what is happening.
June 17, 2011
im honestly blown away by the response so far and it really shows people are fed up with what is happening at new lisbon. seeing this much momentum makes me feel like we might actually get someone in charge to pay attention for once.
6 Comments
NJ needs to do its job. stop letting these facilities get away with abuse. enough is enough.
how many more complaints do they need to see before they actually do something? disgusting.
Keep them safe. That should be priority #1. Fix it.
CAMERAS NOW. There is no excuse for lack of oversight when these people cant speak for themselves.
my brother was there and he wasnt safe. the reports are horrifying. shut it down if they cant treat people with dignity.
its heartbreaking what goes on behind those closed doors. they deserve so much better than this.
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NJ needs to do its job. stop letting these facilities get away with abuse. enough is enough.