This guide provides information about the rights of patients who are at the adult psychiatric hospitals (Western State Hospital (WSH) and Eastern State Hospital (ESH)) run by the State of Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) following a finding of “not guilty by reason of insanity” (NGRI). These individuals have been charged with a crime, but due to their mental illness are acquitted of their charges. Because an NGRI patient has been deemed “not guilty” of committing the underlying criminal charge, they can only be hospitalized if they are deemed a “substantial danger to others” or if they present “a substantial likelihood of committing criminal acts jeopardizing public safety or security.” See RCW 10.77.110. NGRI patients cannot be committed to WSH or ESH for a longer time period than the possible maximum sentence for any criminal offense charged for which the patient was acquitted not guilty by reason of insanity.