Consideration is given to the problems raised by the unlocking of the chronic wards in mental hospitals. The deteriorated schizophrenic, who has spent many years in the hospital, provides most of the difficulties. Attempts to employ this type of patient in small groups of 10 to 18 have produced good results(7, 6) and afford adequate supervision, The need for, and difficulties of, objective assessment of the effects of ward opening are emphasised.Abstract Teaser