Request for personal file

[Anonymous]

I ADVISE YOU ALL TO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS..

http://www.privcom.gc.ca/information/guide_e.asp

It is illegal for any treatment centre to refuse you or to destroy a copy of your treatment record

[Woof-a-Doof]

Hey

A few problems with this usefull information:

A) It's Canadian
B) It's not a US mandate
C) Although it maybe helpful for current Candian residents, or any person in Candian treatment
D) Individuals who endured these "programs" decades ago are unaffected by Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act
E) Med/Surge records I believe are held for 7 years here in the US (last I worked in the field)
F) Psyhc/Treatment records are or were held for 10 years after last course of "treatment" (again, last I worked in the field)

This is not to say that the Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act isnt a great idea and tremendious advantage for Candian citizens or those in "treatment" centers in Canada either currently or in past few years.

Four (4) years after I graduated/7th stepped from Straight Inc I was discharged from the US Submarine Corp. and asked to have my "medical/treatment records". I was refused this request. Ignornant to the law at the time, I accepted my denial of request. Latter, 3-4 years went by, I wised up and again made another request...This time I was stone walled and put off untill I gave up in absoute disgust. Then when Straight Inc. went belly up, I made yet a third request and had been informed that the records had been "lost or destroyed". There was no demonstrable proof I had been incarceated there.

I find it odd that although my records have vanished, if my history (ya know the ones the third grade teachers said will follow you the rest of your life) is delved into, Straight Inc will present itself. Even tho upon discharge from the Submarine Corp, my stint in Straight Inc (which was suppossed to be confidential) was clearly evident and brought up in my Captains Mass which brought an end to my Military career with a Less than Honerable discharge, which is written on my DD214. Essentually it means I did not fit the needs of the US Navy. Because I did not disclose the information about Straight Inc (which I was advised not to divulge by the recruiter) The Less than Honerable Discharge means I cant work for the Post Office, apply for a GI Loan or recieve benifits from the VA hospital. The best revenge was and continues to be, living well dispite the circumstances.

I hope the Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act serves you and others well. Unfortunately, it does little for those of us in the US, incarceated 1,2, even 3 decades ago.

Much Healing
In Peace
woof

[ajax13]

While this information is of little use to former prisoners of US institutions, AARC is a full-blown Canadian Straight.  The Leader's accrual of total power within the organization is very much like Miller Newton's rise through Straight to his own Kids.  AARC has received requests for records from former prisoners in the last weeks, and as of this date, no reply has been received by any person I know who made such a request.  In August, an AARC employee stated that such inquiries be directed to Natalie Oldcomer, who failed to respond.  Subsequent registered mail, verifiably received by AARC, has as of yet produced no records.

[Ursus]

You need a lawyer. AARC's functional refusal to release records may even work in your favor if you can air this issue somehow via the News media.

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@Woof-A-Doof: This (below) totally sucks!!

I find it odd that although my records have vanished, if my history (ya know the ones the third grade teachers said will follow you the rest of your life) is delved into, Straight Inc will present itself. Even tho upon discharge from the Submarine Corp, my stint in Straight Inc (which was suppossed to be confidential) was clearly evident and brought up in my Captains Mass which brought an end to my Military career with a Less than Honerable discharge, which is written on my DD214. Essentually it means I did not fit the needs of the US Navy. Because I did not disclose the information about Straight Inc (which I was advised not to divulge by the recruiter) The Less than Honerable Discharge means I cant work for the Post Office, apply for a GI Loan or recieve benifits from the VA hospital. The best revenge was and continues to be, living well dispite the circumstances.

[Woof-a-Doof]

You need a lawyer. AARC's functional refusal to release records may even work in your favor if you can air this issue somehow via the News media.

—•?|•?•0•?•|?•—

@Woof-A-Doof: This (below) totally sucks!!

I find it odd that although my records have vanished, if my history (ya know the ones the third grade teachers said will follow you the rest of your life) is delved into, Straight Inc will present itself. Even tho upon discharge from the Submarine Corp, my stint in Straight Inc (which was suppossed to be confidential) was clearly evident and brought up in my Captains Mass which brought an end to my Military career with a Less than Honerable discharge, which is written on my DD214. Essentually it means I did not fit the needs of the US Navy. Because I did not disclose the information about Straight Inc (which I was advised not to divulge by the recruiter) The Less than Honerable Discharge means I cant work for the Post Office, apply for a GI Loan or recieve benifits from the VA hospital. The best revenge was and continues to be, living well dispite the circumstances.

Agreed, the News Media...Investagative Reporting, to be more specific will give the upper echelon of AARC the willies so bad they will be squirting foam for the week. Like when 20/20 (or which ever investigative team it was bck then) came to Straight. Although I was a mere phaser at the time, the tension was palpable. Get a good, tenacious Investagative Reporter involved and they will be on them like a pit bull with a death grip. They will sense the lies, deception and the cover up. They have the resources, the clout, public trust (more or less) and the hutsba(sp) to rip a new asshole. My experience with the press has proven that one need be as un-emotional as possible. Give facts, dates, times, names, and efforts made.

I spoke with local radio personality "Bubba the Love Sponge" about 6 months ago. They were digging up dirt on Mel Sembler because of a child that had been hurt on one of his properties, namely, BayWalk in down town St. Petesburg. Seems they had offered to take care of medical bils etc....and then retracted thier offer....leaving the child and family out in the cold.

A mention was made of Straight Inc., I jumped and called in. "Bubba" is no easy person to talk to. I was all wrapped up into the emotions I carry with me. Because of this I said the word "shit" half a dozen times without even realizing it. He dismissed me as a nut and said "I can't work with this guy"...because I could not get past the emotions, he was right.

Brace yourself if you approach the media....perhaps put your thoughts and your plight to paper and explain to them why ya did so. Let the media decide the spin they want, if they are interested, and do your best to follow thier lead. They know thier jobs and how to best present the information to the public. What ya don't want to do is look or sound like a blathering, disgruntled idiot.....that will appear as if "ya actually belonged there".

I hope this helps!

@ Ursus---Yeah, it sucked, still sucks and will always suck. What would suck worse is if I really wanted to work at the post office...needed a GI Loan or required medical service from the Veterans Administration. None of which I do or care to involve myself with. There is more than one way to survive in this world!

Much Healing
In Peace
woof

[Anonymous]

Woof, I think it's great that you can seek revenge through living well. The honesty crap at straight convinced me to put down the alcohol "yes" check mark on my FAA Class 3 flight physical. Upon further investigation by the FAA and that this took place while I was on front row in straight inc, it was determined that I had done drugs and was sent 2 packets from Oklahoma City. One a psychological exam application for a psychologist and one for a psychiatrist. At the time I was already a pilot, had 274 landings, etc etc... but whatever, since that friggin program made me feel like I had to be "honest" all the damn time it cost me my privilege to fly. My parents didn't help with the money or the docs, they wanted me off drugs, which I was. Whatever... Ever since then, sure, I've been bitter inside about it, but, who's the one who checked the box? Me. Oh well... that was a huge glass of spilt milk. I know of people who were wise enough not to mention things like this in similar circumstances, people who were able to see through the fucked up parts about the program and did not succumb in that regard. I envy them and admire them but I realize I cannot be angry about it since there aint a damn thing I can do about it. If I were to ever revisit flying, well, the local cheap airstrip here is $125/hour and it takes at least 40 hours flying and 30 or 40 on the ground. Oh well.  Sorry to interrupt the OP's intent here, but I just had to say something about that missed out career thing. One other thing we somewhat have in common...

[ajax13]

Lo and behold, AARC has agreed to release a set of inmate records today, three months after being contacted by phone, three weeks after receiving a request via registered mail.

[ajax13]

Facsinating tidbits in the set of records from AARC.  Not a single document pertaining to any intervention by a professional healthcare worker, nor mental health worker in the entire stack.  Peer counsellors and encouragement to pray.  And, curiously enough, invoices billing Child Welfare for treatment.  How an unlicensed facility using amateur staff managed to stick the Provincial Government for $1250 a month for a non residential encounter group is an interesting question indeed.  That creaking sound you hear Dean-O is a cornice of bullshit about to break free and fall on you.

[Anonymous]

How an unlicensed facility using amateur staff managed to stick the Provincial Government for $1250 a month for a non residential encounter group is an interesting question indeed.

Very interesting question.