Well, I escaped in 2003, and just from absorbing the stories on this board, it was a world different from what you remember.
Sign LE's, the Ring, and many other things are now 'out of concept' in elanspeak.
When I was in isolation, I was allowed to get up and stretch, walk around, go to the bathroom and shower with more convenience and privacy than if I had been on the floor. In fact, 'removal from the mainstream' (its not called the corner anymore) was sort of like a vacation. I was able to draw as much as I wanted, provided it was for 'production' for the B.O. Meals came on time (with dessert i think), and corner students would even get snacks before bed. Students were required to get at least 8 hours of sleep i believe, no matter what.
As a shotdown the entire time, I spent most of it 'getting over' - 'contracting out' - and 'acting out' anytime anyone 'pulled me up'. One time I walked into an all female dealing crew with a sock over my cock and only got 'warned of an LE'. Elan has deteriorated, and I can assure you the mindfuck is weakening. There are only two houses left, Elan 3, and Elan 8, the pops of each were down to about 45 when I left. Anything went. As a shotdown I would read, use the sacred black pens to write and draw, and basically tell anyone who tried to stop me to go fuck themselves. I would constantly 'undermine', openly mock the philosophy, and question the staff and strength at every turn.
Sure, GM's, isolation, restraints and the rest of what remained sucked at the time, but I dont look back and get upset or feel much of anything. Elan nowadays is probally not much worse than a boarding school or boot camp or even a drug rehab. It sucks while you're there, but in retrospect, especially after hearing your horror stories, it was nothing. I'm even partially.. what is the word... appreciative? that I was there for how long I was.
Now, don't get me wrong, I hate elan and what it stands for. The only reason it is any better is because their hands are just more tied (sic) after the skakel situation came into the light.
Elan is weak, now is the time to strike. A real legal challenge for their past sins at this point, would generate enough publicity and financial burden to fuck them permenantly. That is how you will defeat them, I wish you all luck.
