Asylum ’66

Entering the Asylum…

For a long time, I had been hearing rumors about the mistreatment of patients at the mysterious CaZo Asylum here in Arizona. After the news hit surrounding Whittingham Hospital Asylum in England, I felt compelled to dig deeper into the all-female institution. I met with Dr. Newgate for a tour that was abruptly cut short by the Director of the Asylum, Bridgette Borzillo. But what I saw in my brief experience was a wretchedness that cannot be explained with words. I felt very unsafe around the staff, who themselves conveyed disturbing behaviors that bled over into the conditions of the patients. I also noticed the conditions to be reminiscent of films and television shows such as “American Horror Story: Asylum,” “Requiem For A Dream,” “May,” “Hannibal” and “Black Swan.” I didn’t know whether to laugh, cry, cringe or feel utterly disturbed. After spending a lot of time conducting much more research into the mental illnesses plaguing the patients, I have vowed to uncover the truth behind these mental institutions, no matter the ramifications, or how far down the rabbit hole it takes me. I’ve heard that if you’re told you’re crazy enough times, you may just start to believe it. I guess I’m about to find out if that’s true. — by Liza, 1966