This facilities flaws are the flaws of the entire mental health system. I am truly lucky to be free. To survive in the system (and Ancora) you have to completely and utterly know that you are not in a free place and trust if you ever leave you may find the person you once were. I have spent a year collectively in the mental health system. I have my entire life been an pacifist and non violent even when attacked. This place is better than some of the facilities that I've been, to which is a deeply poor comparison. In my stay there I saw the doors open to an elderly unit. The smell of the neglect was nauseating there was no light. Words cannot fully describe. It was truly inhumane. This facility gives life sentences something I feel is immoral without a jury. This all doesn't just occur in Ancora but in a wide array of facilities across the Nation. The 1995 disability act is deeply disregard across the country in mental institutions. I have personally witnessed it. We need a wide reform of the mental health system. Its hard to fully rate a mental institution by stars I would give it 2 because some can go outside and there was an actual sense of routine in my ward which is scientifically proven to help with psychosis and other cognitive disorders. I hope to whoever reads this if you are diagnosed with schizophrenia (like me) or any other disorder, I hope you know you can be more that when the mental health system defines you as. I am more than functional NOT BECAUSE OF THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM. I recommend that you remove your self stigma (because you deserve it). I know I had a lot after I left mental institutions. Have a goal even if its a small one and keep setting goals because you can achieve them even if it seems impossible. Also if there is something that makes you feel human wether it be painting, music, or poetry never stop doing it. Because its worth it to feel human.

I grew up in Indian Mills, NJ and they took us to Ancora Psychiatric Hospital for a school field trip. I worked in mental health in Charlotte, North Carolina for many years. Ancora needs to be updated. I am sure the food could be improved if the budget was increased. I know the place is dangerous and there are problems here. People steal from Mental patients everyplace they go. If the patient has problems with people stealing then there should be a secure area in every room that can be locked. Maybe new lockers would solve the problem. If the staff and the people running the place don't care then they need to be removed by force. If you don't care a small amount you should not be working there. I am sure there are race problems among the staff and issues with foreigners who work there. Ancora could be so much more than it is currently. The staff and the patients could get involved with farming in the summertime. You could have a small farm store selling produce to the public. There could be a new pool outside for summer activities. The patients could make fudge and sell to the public. You could install some LED lighting inside and out. Redo the concrete work outside on the walkways. Add a Blueberry or Strawberry farm for the patients to work at in the summertime. If you want to reduce violence and boost the patients spirits have a monthly grab bag for the staff. You could pull a random name and help that person financially. Even if you did not like the person you would learn something. I am sure the patient would enjoy the help in the end.

I work here and can verify that these negative reviews are false. Ancora staff and employees are great at their jobs and look out for their patients. Every nurse i’ve worked with has been smart and caring. Patients are never intentionally harmed, provoked, or stolen from. Actually if i’m being honest- patients arnt even punished for sometimes horrific actions against staff, but we know that’s what comes with the job when working at a psych hospital. Ancora has become very strict with their policies and not much slides. The place itself needs some updating that’s for sure, and they could definitely put it a better effort to make more programs for them, but this place is not dangerous. They are desperate for workers and people need to understand that not all ends can be met with no staff- they do what they can. With this being said they send out extra shifts to take everyday but never force you to come in. They make you take several tests and courses for several days that are long hours to make sure your fully prepared for the job. I’ve felt safe at Ancora, but I can not speak for the patients and their experiences, as they would know better.

I can’t even give this place one star. It was literally the worst experience of my life. They had employees fighting with patients. It was THE lowest moment of my life. Horrible, horrible place. How this place is still open is beyond me!!!!! No one deserves to be in this place. Not fit for humans!!!

WARNING ABOUT DR. PETER CALAFIURA!!! This doctor is INCREDIBLY unprofessional and has issues towards young women. On my first meeting with him for severe issues he told me I didn't SOUND depressed for a woman because I wasn't crying and screaming. I was ddesperate for help so I mistakingly stayed with him. Months later he has missed calling in my meds several times due to his sloppiness on note taking - he doesn't bother to read them. I felt so uncomfy as a woman alone with him. AVOID HIM AT ALL COSTS!

My niece has been at this hospital for a couple of years now. I have found the people to be caring and trying to provide a reasonable life for the people there. Most of the clients are very disturbed people who need constant supervision. My niece is one of them. She has an aide 24/7 . She will sometimes hit people for no apparent reason. And she has been hit. So they try to protect the patients from each other. It is not an easy thing to do. At least these people are not in prison. New Jersey seems to still have reasonable facilities for the mentally ill. I am grateful for it.

They have “Supervisor” on staff who do not understand or speak English. You would think someone who is responsible for an entire ward would speak the common language of the patients or at least understand. This is not a hospital it is more like a prison. Horrible place.

It’s disgusting how you treat your employees. You are denying all religious exemptions and suspending your people without pay and insurance for months! You are also keeping these people names as if they are still employed so the state does not know you are understaffed! Shame on you and your ethics!

if you're struggling with suicidal thoughts or going through a mental health crisis Text hello to 741741 for the crisis text hotline, or call 1-800-273-TALK. Please know you are not alone. There is help and you are loved, More than depression or any mental illness may make you believe. The world is better because you simply exist and we are blessed to have you here. Please hang on to the hope that lives in you.

My relative was here back in the 80s and one day tried to leave because she did not like it there. She was returned to her ward, but soon afterwards had an "accident" that needed a blood transfusion. After that, she never left her bed and literally started to rot. A large hole developed on her thigh and it was all downhill from there. She died soon after and the family believes she was given tainted blood, causing her to rot.

Facility staff goes to lunch from 11:30 to 1:00. They will not inform the sending facilities of this. Admissions office, security guards, etc are told to lie to you and say there is a "delay" in admitting the new patient. They expect new patients to wait in the parking lot, in restraints, soiling themselves, while we watch the staff driving back on campus after lunch at 1pm before we can be allowed inside. They DO NOT informing the sending facility that they will not take new patient's between those hours.

I can't say one bad thing about this place and I spent 8 months there. If you're looking for mental health hospital I can't say enough about Ancora and Carrier Clinic (spent 6 months at Carrier before transferring to Ancora.

I am a registered nurse, and I work as a Pool Nurse at APH. Payroll has been cheating my paychecks. When I work 40 hours, I get paid half and sometimes i dont get pay at all . I am a hard worker and it has been very difficult for me dealing with the Payroll issues. It took me a long time before i come up with this review. They are more Pool nurses complaining to me about this payroll issues and stressing over their opinions. But next step is to write a big white paper to the labor department and find another job

This hospital is a very nice and the security is very kind and there are so escapes at all but there was a dead rat in the corner of the lunch room