Since 2010, the Arizona State Hospital has had 18 AWOLs / escapes.
Of those, four patients have not returned.
*Source: Hospital records, police reports
*Statistics compiled from 2010 - 2013
In January 2012, the hospital began reorganizing their security department. Officials planned to eliminate 60 security guard positions and shift those jobs to direct care positions. The theory: more direct care staff would create a safer environment. The transition was to be completed in mid-2012. However, even though security positions were cut, direct care staffing numbers were not increased. In fact, as off Feb. 5, 2013, there were seven fewer direct care positions compared to FY2012 before the security cuts. The hospital's budget is roughly $70 million, which has increased several million dollars in recent years.
*Source: Hospital records; Arizona state budget
