The Mississippi State Hospital, under the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, recently celebrated the ribbon-cutting of its newly renovated maximum security forensic services unit. The event welcomed around 300 attendees, including state officials, law enforcement, mental health professionals, and advocates statewide.
The new 81-bed facility marks a significant advancement in the delivery of forensic mental health care across Mississippi’s 82 counties. The unit is designed to support competency evaluations, provide restoration services, and offer a secure therapeutic environment for individuals with serious mental health illnesses that require maximum security care.
“This new unit is more than a building—it’s a commitment to the people of Mississippi,” Mississippi State Hospital director Bo Chastain said. “We’re providing care in the right setting for those who need it most, and in doing so, we’re also supporting sheriffs, courts, and communities across the state.”
Other featured speakers included Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, Mississippi Department of Mental Health executive director Wendy Bailey, and various mental health and legislative leaders.
Designed for safety, efficiency, and dignity, the facility will have video surveillance, centralized controls, AI integration, and advanced flood protection, while meeting Life Safety Code, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and Joint Commission standards.
The dedication also honored the collaboration of state legislators, the Mississippi Board of Mental Health, MSG clinical leadership, and community partners like Belinda Steward Architects, Codaray Construction, and Disability Rights Mississippi.
After the ceremony, guests toured the facility and attended a reception to mark this milestone in Mississippi’s forensic mental health services. Founded in 1855, the Mississippi State Hospital continues the mission of providing compassionate, secure, and evidence-based treatment, while also promoting public safety and health equity.
