Who is Sanford Bates?

Sanford Bates was an American psychiatrist and a significant figure in the field of mental health and corrections. He is best known for his role as the first director of the Massachusetts Department of Correction, where he implemented progressive reforms in the treatment of mentally ill inmates. Bates advocated for humane treatment and rehabilitation rather than punitive measures, influencing policies in the prison system. His work contributed to the broader movement toward reforming mental health care within correctional facilities.