CPS Worker 002473 - Edelstein, Leonard G.

CPS Worker 002473 - Edelstein, Leonard G.

Birth year: 1915

Denomination: Jewish

Education: Law school

Original occupation: Lawyer

Drafted from: Germantown , Pennsylvania, United States

Entered CPS: 11 15, 1942

Left CPS: 4 24, 1946

Notes:

Leonard Edelstein was one of four CPS men who created the Mental Hygiene Program of CPS, largely responsible for exposing the abuses that occurred in many of the mental hospitals in which CPS workers were stationed.

 

Representing the MHP on a visit to camp #129 in 1945, Edelstein described conditions as follows:

 

"At Pennhurst I found conditions rather similar to those at Byberry—namely lovely grounds, nice 'façade,' but very old wooden buildings, dimly lighted and often pervaded with strong odors.  The boys, crammed into day rooms—fed poor looking food on metal trays, are often worked 12 hours per day, 7 days a week—if they have sufficient brawn or mental ability."

 

--Taken from Steven J. Taylor, Acts of Conscience: World War II, Mental Institutions, and Religious Objectors. Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press, 2009. p266.

 

Be sure to check out other reflections and stories from this CPS worker as listed under "Other Material."