With An Eye to the Past - 1940s to 50s

Slide 2 of 27

Geri Hoffner's exposé created a public outcry.

In 1948, an extensive newspaper exposé in the Minneapolis Morning Tribune detailed the living conditions in seven Minnesota state mental institutions – Fergus Falls, Moose Lake, Willmar, Anoka, Hastings, St. Peter and Rochester – and brought the issue to public attention.

Geri Hoffner, more well-known as Geri Joseph, published a 10-part report on the deplorable conditions in the state's mental institutions.

Remarkably, the report, which was critical of the current system, was created with Governor Youngdahl's full support and approval.

Video:
Geri Joseph, reporter for
the Minneapolis Morning
Tribune, did a series of
articles on the institutions
in 1948 and 1950.

Return to "With an Eye to the Past" Return to Council Home Page

The Minnesota
Governor's
Council on
Developmental
Disabilities

370 Centennial
Office Building
658 Cedar St.
St. Paul, MN
55155
Phone:
651-296-4018

Toll-free number:
877-348-0505
MN Relay Service:
800-627-3529 OR 711
Fax: 651-297-7200
Email:
admin.dd@state.mn.us

View Privacy Policy

An Equal
Opportunity
Employer

The GCDD is funded under the provisions of P.L. 106-402. The federal law also provides funding to the Minnesota Disability Law Center, the state Protection and Advocacy System, and to the Institute on Community Integration, the state University Center for Excellence. The Minnesota network of programs works to increase the IPSII of people with developmental disabilities and families into community life.