Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform > Brat Camp

DATELINE TONIGHT: Restraint Deaths

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Anonymous:

--- Quote ---On 2005-07-31 21:01:00, Deborah wrote:

"

Yes, that damned Excited Delirium Syndrome.

If these kids would just get it that when they are having their faces forced into the ground, or a pillow, or mat; and having the wind mashed out of them; that they stand a greater chance of surviving if they don't resist.



If that's the logic, might staff be required to read kids their 'Excited Delirium Rights'? To warn them that they risk death if they resist?



 ::deal:: You now have the right to remain silent and still while we restrain you. If you resist, you risk death. Your parents will have no recourse, because you will be held responsible for having caused your death.



I'm sure at least some of the kids would become immediately compliant.



"

--- End quote ---


Yeah, can you believe it?  The excuses these programs come up with .... like in the death of Eddie Lee, where it was claimed a "prior" injury was the real cause of death (not the restraint hold).  

Dateline did a good job on this special report. Does anyone know who the producer of this segment was?

http://www.teenadvocatesusa.org/opedarchives.html

BARBE
Tausa

Anonymous:
I'm glad Dateline did this story.  Especially considering how popular Brat Camp is with prime time viewers, it's good to see NBC is not hopping on the bandwagon, they are actually giving another perspective.   From reading the transcript however, it seems that the only way any big waves are going to be made about this issue is if the parents stop deciding to settle outside of court, and actually go through with it, and get a facility to admit wrongdoing.

Anonymous:
Seems Chase Moody's father made his point very clear about settling out of court--he took the Brown Schools for LOTS OF MONEY!! And his settlement appears to have been instrumental in the bankruptcy that closed this mess down. He knew if he kept fighting it would have been tied up in Appeals Court for YEARS! He is an attorney, and he beat them at their own game. And his answer to the question: "When will you know you WIN?" said it all.  He will NEVER WIN, because he will never have his son BACK!

Havin any school admitting accountability is not always to goal...having them NOT OPEN to continue thier abusive treatment of children IS THE GOAL.

Anonymous:
And as my experience should make clear, restraining children also effects those of us who are not restrained but rather are forced to stand by and watch. The effect: Instill fear into kids so that they submit, comply, and so that they never show any disagreement with the "program" while in the "troubled teen facility"---The Message - just do whatever they say to get out of there! (which means kids learn little because their compliance is soley to avoid restraints, humiliation, or other consequences)

I emailed the following to Dateline immediately after watching the story on restraining "troubled youth." See below....

I felt compelled to write in response to the Danger 'troubled teens' facilities? story aired Sunday, July 31, 2005. Even though it was not easy for me to watch that story, I commend Dateline's accurate reporting on such an important issue.
 
About 20 years ago I was a troubled teen who was sent to a troubled teen facility, specifically, for treatment of my alleged "drug problem" (I had never used drugs before getting "treatment"). This facility, thankfully, has since closed down, from what I have heard, due to numerous civil lawsuits. It was called Straight Inc. I would not be the least bit surprised if many of those suits stemmed from kids who were physically restrained in the exact same manner the Brown Schools did in your story.
 
I was deeply disturbed to learn such inhumane and cruel restraint of children still continues years after I witnessed the same things in Straight. I was also outraged that these facilities still use the same excuses to justify "restraining," which shift the blame to the "trouble maker," the restrained child. Your story tonight highlighted a very old problem, not a new one.
 
I remember when I was in Straight watching in horror as others were restrained face down on the floor, sometimes all day. So I never "acted out" for fear of enduring the same punishment myself. The method used by Straight to restrain sounds identical to that used by Brown...In Straight, the actual restraining was done, at the staff's direction, by fellow kids in treatment. One person would sit on each limb, for a total of at least four people restraining a child face down on a hard, ceramic tile floor. The "staff" by the way, consisted primarily of kids that had "graduated" the program and decided to become a staff member.
 
By the way, restraining, in Straight anyway, was not only a method to control "misbehaviors" but was also a blatant attempt to instill fear in those of use that watched. Yes, good old fashion deterrence.
 
My story is different in that I was never restrained myself in Straight. However, you may be surprised to learn that other disturbing things go on with those places. For example, in my case, after I graduated from the program, 4 months into Straight's so-called after care program, and three weeks after I turned 18, I was abducted by my parents and three accomplices, with Straight's knowledge and encouragement, who were ready and waiting when I forcibly arrived back at Straight. The local police did become involved and wanted my cooperation in their effort to shut down Straight. I refused only because, in spite of what my parents, their accomplices and Straight did, I knew my cooperation could send my parents to jail.
 
I reveal this in hopes that the media will probe further into the abuses that occur in facilities to help troubled teens. There are plenty more that I have not mentioned. I question whether the general public and even many of those who work in the Juvenile Justice system, who routinely court order kids to similar treatment programs, have any clue how bad these places can be. Part of the problem, I believe, is that the people who know first hand what really goes on in youth treatment programs, are troubled teens admitted into such programs. And nobody is willing to believe or listen to kids who have been labeled "bad" or a "trouble maker." Of course, staff members are aware of it, but as your show pointed out, they are too busy shifting the blame to actually take any responsibility.
 
Your story, Danger 'troubled teens' facilities?, if the tip of the iceberg. What about the glamorization of similar troubled teen facilities on television such as ABC's "Brat Camp?" A similar movie glamorized Straight in the eighties. I find this trend horrifying and disturbing. I guarantee you that viewers are not shown the very real and ugly side of these programs. Also...what about the psychological/emotional damage caused to those of us that are subjected to such "programs"?
 
Ironically, my experience at Straight, as horrifying as it was to me then and now, played a large role in my decision to become a lawyer. In fact, I hope to someday be a juvenile court judge. But even though I am now a successful person and will soon be a lawyer, there are still times I confront the scars of my very painful past, of when I was in Straight. Despite my criticisms of youth treatment facilities, I can say that I did learn a couple very helpful things while in Straight, have long since forgiven my father, and I feel confident that such programs can help troubled teens IF the abuses stop. Many programs do attempt to teach some good things, BUT there is a lot that goes on in these places that must end, and therefore should be explored further and brought to the public's attention by the media. I urge Dateline to do more stories like Danger 'troubled teens' facilities? so that those troubled kids out there who need help, get the help that they deserve in a way that is safe and humane.

Christine

Anonymous:
I am also a Drug War POW, as you so accurately put it....and was also a casualty of Straight 84-86. See my post below Titled "My Experience"

Christine

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