WASHINGTON — Security has been increased at a Northern Virginia mental health facility following two escapes earlier this year.
On Feb. 29 and April 6, male patients who were known to be violent, fled Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute. After police searches, they both were later found and returned to the facility, located at 3302 Gallows Road in Falls Church.
An additional security officer has been added, and officers are now assigned to make more frequent security checks of all units at the 123-bed, state-run facility, according to a spokesperson at the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services in Richmond.
The state agency says there also have been hardware improvements to the building. A new barrier door has been added to an interior hallway leading to the lobby and the building’s two front doors have been replaced with one new door, which the agency says has an improved locking mechanism. Also, the agency says all windows in all units have been reinforced.
The mental health facility is in the process of replacing its current contracted security force with a new group of state-employed officers trained in crisis intervention with a strong understanding of individuals with serious mental illness.
The institute was opened in 1968 to provide treatment to those with acute mental health needs in Northern Virginia.
