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WHITFIELD – Mississippi State Hospital (MSH), a facility of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, marked a significant milestone on April 17 with the ribbon cutting and dedication of its newly designed and renovated Maximum Security Forensic Services Unit. The event, held on the hospital campus, welcomed approximately 300 guests, including state leaders, mental health professionals, law enforcement officials, and advocates from across Mississippi.
This state-of-the-art, 81-bed facility represents a major advancement in the hospital’s mission to deliver high-quality forensic mental health care to individuals from all 82 counties of Mississippi. The unit is designed to support competency evaluations, provide restoration services, and offer a secure therapeutic environment for individuals with serious mental illness who require maximum security.
Speakers for the program included: James G. “Bo” Chastain, Director, Mississippi State Hospital, Melvin Collins, Chaplain, Mississippi State Hospital, Courtney Phillips, Chairman, Mississippi Board of Mental Health, Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann, State of Mississippi, Wendy Bailey, Executive Director, Mississippi Department of Mental Health, and Dr. Tom Recore, Medical Director, Mississippi Department of Mental Health.
Designed with safety, economy, and dignity at its core, the new building meets all Life Safety Code requirements and adheres to CMS and Joint Commission standards. Enhanced features include video monitoring, centralized controls, artificial intelligence capabilities, and upgraded flood mitigation measures—ensuring safety for both patients and staff.
“This new unit is more than a building—it’s a commitment to the people of Mississippi,” said Hospital Director Bo Chastain. “We’re providing care in the right setting for those who need it most, and in doing so, we’re also supporting sheriffs, courts, and communities across the state.”
The dedication also acknowledged the ongoing support of Mississippi’s legislators and celebrated the collaboration that made the project possible. Among those recognized were:
Members of the Mississippi Board of Mental Health, including Chairman Courtney Phillips, Vice Chair Dr. Alyssa Killebrew, and board members Dr. Sara Gleason, Dr. Jim Herzog, Dr. Manda Griffin, Teresa Mosley, and Stewart Rutledge.
Leadership from the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, including Wendy Bailey, Executive Director, Jake Hutchins, Deputy Executive Director of Behavioral Health Services, Craig Kittrell, Deputy Executive Director for Intellectual/Developmental Disability Services, Katie Storr, Chief of Staff, Kelly Breland, Chief Financial Officer, and Dr. Tom Recore, Medical Director.
MSH clinical leadership including Dr. Robert Maddux, Clinical Director, Dr. Duncan Stone, Chief of the Medical Staff, and Dr. Reb McMichael, Forensic Service Chief.
Also in attendance were numerous legislators, judges and circuit clerks, sheriffs, Bureau of Buildings staff, Legislative Budget Office staff, representatives from the MacArthur Justice Center, Disability Rights Mississippi, contractors including Belinda Stewart Architects and Codaray Construction, the Mississippi Hospital Association, community mental health centers, Friends of MSH, Inc., and other distinguished guests.
Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann said, “I look forward to seeing the continued impact of the great work being done at Mississippi State Hospital through this new facility.”
Following the ceremony, guests were invited to tour the facility and attend a reception celebrating this historic moment in forensic mental health care.
Mississippi State Hospital remains committed to delivering compassionate, secure, and evidence-based treatment while promoting public safety and health equity across the state.
MSH, a program of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, was founded in 1855 and helps the individuals it serves achieve mental wellness by encouraging hope, promoting safety, and supporting recovery. The hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission.
Pictured are (L to R) Kelly Breland, Chief Financial Officer, Mississippi Department of Mental Health, Wendy Bailey, Executive Director, Mississippi Department of Mental Health, Delbert Hosemann, Lieutenant Governor, State of Mississippi, and James G. “Bo” Chastain, Director, Mississippi State Hospital.
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