Security hospital tries to rebuild after murder, dysfunction

The state Department of Human Services commissioner says the agency is making progress in improving conditions at the state's largest psychiatric facility, the Minnesota Security Hospital.

The hospital houses about 250 patients committed as mentally ill and dangerous. It's been criticized in recent years for excessive use of restraints on patients and dangerous conditions for staff.

A murder of a patient last year increased scrutiny of operations.

Commissioner Lucinda Jesson says about 95 percent of staff have now been trained in a more "person-centered" approach to patient care.

The state Legislature has allocated funds to construct a new building for the Minnesota Security Hospital on the St. Peter campus. The first phase of construction is scheduled to be completed in 2016.