Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform > The Ridge Creek School / Hidden Lake Academy

Half-brother at HLA

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Troll Control:

--- Quote ---On 2006-05-31 21:50:00, Anonymous wrote:

" I didn't get to ask him about that, but he did tell me he was almost beaten up by several of his bunkies and the staff was indifferent after he reported it. He also mentioned stripsearches as well and academics being "really easy".

 He pointed me to the HEAL website, and said he'd either heard of, or had much of the following happen to him personally. What worried me the most was the communication, or lack therof. That's what got me doing the research, especially today when he called.

 "

--- End quote ---


Hello and welcome.  First let me say that I am sorry for your situation - especially for your brother.

I can see you've done some homework on HLA and there have been some red flags raised about the "treatment" your brother is receiving.  You are right to be wary and suspiscious of the practices of an unlicensed, unregulated residential treatment center.  There is no oversight by anyone and consequently HLA is a dangerous environment for children.

Recently it has been discovered that the owner of the facility (an Ed Con) has made placements of dangerous and violent children including one who was diagnosed with pedophilia.  There have been assaults and violent sexual batteries recently.  This facility is no place for children.

Do you have any means by which to get your brother released?  Who has custody?  How old is he?

Please try to ignore the incessant trolling of these threads as well.  HLA is desperate and is reportedly insolvent and they do monitor these boards and send employees to derail each thread.  Of course, you also have my personal trolls (an unemployed lwayer and program parent named Karen and a wanna-be psychologist and program parent named Anne) who spend most of their days here slamming people, but not refuting any of the evidence presented.

If you have any specific questions feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer them or connect you with someone who can.  

Good luck and thanks for sharing your brother's story.

Anonymous:
Yes, DJ, the lack of oversight is a BIG deal...the 'Accreditation" doesn't mean a thing, if the place were operating as a simple boarding school, fine, it would be ok, but it's trying to be a backdoor BM center, at least that's what my own research suggests.

The recent actions by the owner have me very concerned, as this is the first I had heard of this. Sounds like "Lord of the Flies" as my brother describes it. Ironic thing is? They showed this movie to his peer group as a "cautionary tale on the failure of leadership." Sounds like somebody was trying to give some of the kids ideas. Jesus, Russian Army conscripts get better treatment. (I am an amateur military historian, so pardon the analogies).

 As for a release, well, sadly, his mom (my stepmother) has custody. She's typical. Overwhelmed parent at the end of her rope with a messy divorce (not made any easier by my father who is frankly, a sex addict)and a very angry kid. My Father done most of the damage to my brother...poor kid doesn't know who to believe any more. I can't think being sent to HLA has improved matters.

Funny thing is, my father alos hates the place. But I think in his case, it's more motivated by money. He's not written or called my brother in six months, and he cancelled his last visit with him as well. (Father is marrying for the third time and like the last time with me, tossing the ex-wife and kids away like rubbish). I had some doubts...but I didn't say anything...as I kinda felt "What if I am wrong", but as my brother would tell me things on phone calls during his breaks (He's quite vocal, thank god, and I tell him to keep his head down and make like a hole in the water.) I gave him other advice as well, but I'd rather not mention it..for his sake.

I will say he is in his early teens. Again, no specifics on an open board. These walls have ears and I do not intend to help them hurt my brother.

Troll Control:
Well, unfortunately, it looks like your brother is experiencing the typical "program" at HLA.


--- Quote ---if the place were operating as a simple boarding school, fine, it would be ok, but it's trying to be a backdoor BM center

--- End quote ---


Yeah, you got that right.  What HLA amounts to is an unlicensed, unregulated RTC masquerading as a "school."

Have you tried a "common-sense" approach with your mom about your brother's treatment?  Maybe point out there isn't a single licensed teacher or a single licensed counselor working there?  For the price she's paying, she could have a full-time private teacher and therapist working with him at home.

Perhaps you could try an educational approach?  There are plenty of studies that show programs like HLA do not work and can cause severe damage, especially to the developing mind.

Of course, if mom doesn't care (like many "program parents") then your labor would be fruitless.

AvenAngel:
Well, its time to join the fight...and so I have. I chose the name because these kids need an Avenging Angel. And I love a good fight...Just so you know, the previous anon posts in this thread are mine.[ This Message was edited by: AvenAngel on 2006-06-01 18:28 ]

Anonymous:
The school's not too big.  Hopefully you have fictionalized part of your bother's story because with all the group therapy that goes on around that place, and the initial paperwork for admission being somewhat thourough regarding family dysfunction, they will know exactly who your brother is.  I would not post too much more about him here.  Posting nothing is best for him.
 :evil:

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