In 1875, the territorial government took control due to complaints about patient neglect, brutal abuse and poor living conditions.

On May 7, 1915, M. A Thompson of Tacoma was found dead in his cot after he had been strangled by his own sheets while attempting to get free.

Prior to the 2000's, a facilities worker found a shed full of cremated human remains that were packaged into tobacco tins and canning jars.

[3] Following news reports concerning serious understaffing at the hospital and several involuntarily committed patients escaping, including a person accused of murder, on Tuesday, April 12, 2016, governor Jay Inslee fired Western State Hospital's Chief Executive Officer, Ron Adler.

[4] The escape follows years of other problems including workplace discrimination, sexual harassment lawsuits, and excessively long patient admission times.