Official estimates report over 60,000 deaths occurred inside the wards due to medical malpractice and torture over the years.

Located in the city of Barbacena, 102 miles away from the capital of the State of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte and in the heart of the Mantiqueira Mountains, the place became a national symbol of psychiatric care in the 20th century.

At least 16 people perished everyday due to sickness, malnutrition, hypothermic shock as a consequence of cold water exposure, electroconvulsive therapy or murder.

Over 70% of the patients were never diagnosed with any sort of psychological disorder; they were placed under permanent care by political interests and social stigma.

In 1980, due to pressure in the mass media, the national anti-asylum movement managed to shut down the institution and transfer the very few survivors to be placed under proper care while receiving indemnification from the state.