Now, now, not all parents are stupid. Some just actually believe this crap and it has nothing to do with being sold a pig in a poke. They just believe what they want to believe, hear what they want to hear. If they actually went to these hellholes, saw the real deal, who knows if they would back out? Problem is, they rarely do check them out. They just ship em off and wait to get all upset and outraged when the kid comes home reporting how they were abused for the past year or so.
But yeah, more kids should sue the referral agencies who prey on the parents who sign their kids over to programs. Being stupid isn't a defense. Kids don't get a second chance, why should their parents?
Don't send your kid away if you don't wanna take a chance of paying for their maltreatment.
Kind of simple, ain't it?