The Willowbrook Consent Decree

The Willowbrook Consent Decree was a legal agreement established in 1972 to improve the treatment of residents at the Willowbrook State School, a facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities. It mandated reforms such as better living conditions, improved healthcare, and the protection of residents' rights. The decree aimed to prevent mistreatment and neglect, ensuring the facility adhered to standards that promote humane and respectful care. Essentially, it was a legally binding effort to hold the institution accountable and promote more ethical treatment of its residents.