The program was a major component of research conducted by the two institutions with the treatment focus directed toward the chronically refractory and treatment-resistant patient.

The decision to place the hospital in Norwalk was prompted primarily because of its location, with easy access to good roads and railroad service.

As the area around the hospital became developed after World War II and the city of Norwalk grew around it, many changes have taken place.

[3] In 1975, the hospital was the subject of a black-and-white documentary from film makers Richard Cohen and Kevin Rafferty titled Hurry Tomorrow,[4] which alleged coercive drugging of patients with the sedatives Chlorpromazine and Prolixin.

Medical and psychiatric facilities across the country must request to be surveyed with results evaluated against nationally recognized standards of care.