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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has allocated more than $122 million to the Mental Health and Anti-Addiction Services Administration (known as ASSMCA by its Spanish acronym) for the refurbishment of the Ponce Forensic Psychiatry Hospital, a facility that offers medical-legal assessments for individuals with mental health issues involved in the island’s criminal justice system.
“This hospital plays a crucial role in assessing individuals with mental health challenges, and it is imperative that it functions under optimal conditions to ensure proper care,” stated Al Gómez Rivera, Director of FEMA’s Infrastructure Division. “Through this funding allocation, FEMA reiterates its commitment to restoring specialized facilities that provide critical services for mental health patients.”
The hospital caters to individuals with potential mental disorders who are undergoing criminal proceedings, where a psychiatrist must evaluate their competency—meaning their ability to comprehend the proceedings and assist in their legal defense. It is noteworthy that the hospital’s mental health service center uniquely includes a dedicated area for female patients, making it the only one of its kind in Puerto Rico.
Additionally, the ASSMCA operates another facility for the treatment of mental health patients who are facing or anticipating legal actions, which is the Forensic Psychiatry Hospital of Río Piedras, capable of accommodating around 100 male patients. The Ponce hospital, being the larger facility, accommodates 125 individuals, with 26 designated for women and 99 for men. The minimum age for admission is set at 18 years.
To safeguard the well-being of the patients, it is crucial that the hospital is equipped with backup systems for essential water and electricity services. In this regard, FEMA has included a drinking water cistern and an electrical generator among the repairs, as well as an alternative energy system. The construction initiative comprises phases that have already been finalized, including the electrical infrastructure, lighting, security gates, and the building’s air conditioning systems.
