GRAFTON, SC – Federal prosecutors have reached a settlement with the South Carolina Department of Mental Health after uncovering civil rights violations at C.M. Tucker Jr. Nursing Care Center in Columbia. The state-owned facility, which serves around 360 residents, including 70 veterans, has been under scrutiny for inadequate care.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Grace Chung Becker commended the cooperation of both state officials and the Department of Mental Health. ‘We’re committed to ensuring that every resident at Tucker receives the care they deserve,’ she stated.
The settlement mandates reforms to guarantee residents receive proper medical, mental health, and nursing care while being safeguarded from harm. This includes provisions for medical, psychiatric, nutrition, pain management, end-of-life care, protection from falls, and activities designed to enhance psychosocial well-being.
Under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), federal prosecutors have a track record of addressing systemic issues in nursing homes across the country. This investigation follows similar probes in other states, with ongoing inquiries in Alabama, Minnesota, and Mississippi.
In addition to the immediate reforms, the state has agreed to serve residents in the most integrated setting suitable for their needs. Federal prosecutors are expected to continue monitoring the facility’s progress closely.
For more information on the Civil Rights Division of the federal prosecutors, visit www.usdoj.gov/crt.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- District: Middle District of Florida
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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