Courtney wants review of state hospital

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Senate President Peter Courtney has called for an independent review of security measures at the state mental hospital after two recent escapes. “Considering that two patients have escaped from the hospital in the last two weeks, I’m not sure the hospital staff is the group best equipped to conduct a review of their own security,” the Salem Democrat said in a statement Tuesday. The first escape took place July 11 and the next happened five days later. The patients, both of whom had been sent to the Oregon State Hospital after attacking police officers, were later captured. One of the men made his escape during a supervised walk on hospital grounds. In response, hospital Superintendent Roy Orr has suspended trips outside the secure perimeter for all 470 patients who have been found guilty of committing a... [read full story]