Dayton Calls Psychiatric Hospital Where Series Of Assaults Reported 'Obsolete'

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- State officials are investigating the latest in a series of assaults at Minnesota's largest psychiatric hospital in St. Peter.

Gov. Mark Dayton said the Minnesota Security Hospital needs an urgent fix. Dozens of staff workers have been injured at the facility this year.

Officials from the state's Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating what's causing the problems.

On Tuesday, Dayton called the building in desperate need of repair.

"You ought to go down there and tour that facility," he said, "and realize how obsolete and difficult it is to provide a therapeutic environment and provide for staff safety."

Dayton said he may visit the St. Peter facility himself after he gets a report from state officials who were set to tour the hospital.