State of New Hampshire Secure Psychiatric Unit Forensic Hospital

This new 24-bed secure psychiatric hospital addition is connected to the existing New Hampshire Hospital and allows for skilled treatment in a safe, secure and therapeutic environment. This is the State’s first facility dedicated to treating acute mental illness for forensic patients, including those who are civilly committed for treatment.

The new 41,000-square-foot facility includes separate wings for male and female residents with a medical treatment suite, recreational therapy areas, a vocational kitchen, group meeting rooms, a library/chapel, seclusion rooms, dining space and visitation rooms. Patient bedrooms are located on the main floor with hospital functions and an administration suite on the second floor. The facility incorporates extensive tamperproof and anti-ligature components.

A deep foundation system using 231 micropiles was incorporated over six months to prepare the site for construction. Challenging site logistics focused on avoiding disruptions to the existing New Hampshire Hospital and extensive measures were incorporated to minimize noise, vibration and dust.