Pani Issues Report Amid Chaos at Dundee Ranch

[Carey]

Dundee is in the news again.

The story can be found at:

http://www.ticotimes.net/daily.htm#story_one

PANI Issues Report Amid Chaos at Dundee Ranch
By Tim Rogers
[email protected]

More than a dozen youths at Dundee Ranch Academy in the Pacific-slope town of Orotina reportedly escaped yesterday, during a visit to the controversial U.S.-run behavior-modification facility by officials from the Judicial Investigative Police (OIJ), and the Ministries of Health, Education, the Child Welfare Agency (PANI) and the Alcohol and Drug Institute.

Police and staff were reportedly still searching for the runaways yesterday afternoon. Dundee Ranch declined comment.

Located on the remote grounds of a former hotel by the same name, Dundee is a year-and-a-half-old program for troubled teens, mostly from the U.S. (TT, Oct. 25, 2002).

Critics of the program argue that the academy's "tough-love" tactics -- including the use of physical restraint and sentencing disobedient teens to solitary confinement -- border on inhumane treatment and make the academy more like a boot camp than a boarding school. Academy owner Narvin Lichfield, however, defends his program as a last resort for teens with serious behavior or drug problems (TT, Jan. 17; March 14).

After four months of investigating, the PANI yesterday issued its long-awaited report on Dundee Ranch, instructing the facility that it has 30 days to implement 15 in the way it operates.

The PANI also filed a criminal complaint against Dundee Ranch with the Prosecutor's Office, requesting a judicial investigation of the academy. If the needed changes are not implemented in a month's time, the academy could be issued a judicial order to close, according to PANI's acting director, Ileana Ballard.

Don't miss Friday's TT print edition for complete story

[Antigen]

Yeeee haw!

I hope those kids make it to safe shelter before the police and culties can catch them. If they're serious about the investigation (and it looks asif they are) they'll protect those kids at all costs.

We are a one party country. Half of them call themselves Democrats and the other half call themselves Republicans. All the good ideas come from the Libertarians.
--Hugh Downs

[Anonymous]

How in the hell could Dundee still even be open??? WWASP's track record should be enough to shut it down.

[FaceKhan]

Heh I hope those kids make it to the US consulate or at least to safety inside Mexico somewhere. At least in Mexico a person who is careful and does not want to be found can certainly manage it.

How many kids are at Dundee? Interesting that they got out during the inspection, maybe the cops saw what was going on there and decided to let some of the kids escape.

[Carey]

There is more to the story than the fact that the kids have run away.  I have been given more information from an inside source, however I can not repeat it until it has been confirmed.  (I don't want to make a statement that I myself do not have proof of.)

There are approximately 200 hundred kids at the Dundee facility in Costa Rica.

"maybe the cops saw what was going on there and decided to let some of the kids escape."  Facekahn, you could be on to something with that thought.

[Carey]

21 May 2003

Casa Alianza Satisfied with Dundee Ranch Search after Eight Months of
Complaints

San Jose, Costa Rica

Eight months of complaints finally gave way on Tuesday, May 20th, to
the search of the Dundee Ranch Academy by a judge, a public
prosecutor, and two agents of the Judiciary Police (OIJ).  The
Academy is located in the western part of Costa Rica, in La Ceiba
de Cascajal de Orotina.

Yesterday, a group of children abandoned the center, taking
advantage of the intervention of the authorities.

The proceedings are part of an official investigation of the institution,
which began after authorities received complaints from Susan Flowers,
the mother of one of the children, regarding human rights violations.
According to the Dundee Ranch website, its personnel are dedicated
to helping children with behavioral problems.

Casa Alianza has received a series of complaints from various parents,
who feared for the physical and emotional integrity of their children,
who were held there. Casa Alianza's Legal Support Office in turn
informed the Director of the National Children's Welfare Organization
(PANI in Spanish), Rosalía Gil, several weeks ago.

"We want to congratulate the Public Prosecutor for his courage,
because since the newspaper The Tico Times completed an investigation
about the place eight months ago, no one has done anything," stated
Bruce Harris, Regional Director of Casa Alianza, an organization that
defends children's rights.

Harris recently requested a further investigation of the case before the
Costa Rican Constitutional Court on behalf of a 14 year-old girl from the
United States, who was taken to the Dundee Ranch against her will.  In
letters to her mother, the girl wrote:

"Please, whatever, take me out of here, please."

Unfortunately, the Magistrates rejected the case and asked that it be
transferred to the Family Judge.  Now the Public Minister will determine
if a crime occurred behind the walls of the ranch.

"To enclose children in tiny rooms on their knees or stomachs for hours
is cruel and inhumane treatment and needs to be investigated by the
authorities," added Harris.

Representatives of the PANI and the Health Minister accompanied the
judicial personnel during the search.  A day prior, members of the Office
of Migration and Foreigners completed an inspection of the ranch and
found that 100 of  the 193 children did not have appropriate migration
papers.


For more information, please contact Bruce Harris at +506-253-5439
or via email at http://www.ticotimes.net/archive/ and use search word "Dundee".

The Dundee Ranch's web site is http://www.dundeeranch.org
or http://www.academydundee.org/staff.htm

[Carey]

An indeterminate number of youth flee Academy
Youth abuse is confirmed
The attorney?s office of Atenas raids the Academy

Over 200 U.S. youth with behavioral problems left the troubled Academy yesterday after national authorities in Orotina intervened. An  indeterminate number of youth rushed to leave the Academy after being informed of their rights.

At approximately 9:30 PM last night, the police searched the surrounding area of Orotina with the purpose of finding the location of several youth
that were still missing.

An investigation conducted by PANI confirmed the alleged physical and psychological abuse against many under-aged youth interned at the Dundee Ranch Academy in Cascajal de la Ceiba de Orotina.

This allegation, along with 10 other allegations against fundamental rights was denounced on Monday by PANI to the attorney?s office of Atenas. The   officers of the ranch were ordered to immediately cease any violations or threats against 200 or 193 interns at the Academy. (See images)

Fernando Vargas, the attorney for Orotina, 2 investigators from OIJ, and one judge from Alajuela searched the premises of the Academy yesterday afternoon. These individuals were accompanied by employees of PANI - Patronato Nacional de la Infancia (child protection agency) and the Ministry of Health.

Vargas explained yesterday that the search was based on allegations by Susan Flowers, mother of Nicole H. Deniken, an intern of the Dundee Ranch, and allegations from PANI. The search was conducted to enquire about the violations of the rights of the minors such as violations of liberty and coercion.

The joint search (raid) by judicial powers, PANI, and the Health ministry fueled the rushed exit of many youth who felt the support from the law enforcement agencies. Many youth left the Academy barefoot.

An indeterminate number of youth, some between the ages of 15 and 30, entered into official vehicles, while others run through the streets and on through the countryside. Last night, many of the youth returned to the Academy.

Due to this incident, members of the Police asked the attorney general as to the course of action to follow. The attorney general explained that they
could not take anybody by force or make the youth enter into the official vehicles. The youth could go into the custody of PANI and the youth were to
have a choice as to where to go, the authorities could not force the youth into making any decisions.

Last night, PANI and the attorney general took the custody of 6 minors.


Aid from the U.S. Embassy Peter Brennan, chief of public relations for the U.S. Embassy informed
yesterday afternoon to the Al Dia that the youth that left the Academy could call the telephone number 220-3939. The hotline will provide help 24 hours a day. The youth can also contact the consulate or other personnel.

Brennan explained yesterday that the consulate knew of the actions of the Costa Rican authorities but not of the abandonment of some of the youth.

Ana Teresa Leon manager of PANI stated last night that there was a measure taken to ensure the protection for the youth from the Academy, the ages for the youth are between 15 and 19 years old. The officials at the Academy have 30 days to rectify the situation.

If within the 30 days, the Academy does not meet the Costa Rican regulations  and the requirements from PANI, the Education Ministry, the Ministry of
Health, and international norms for human rights, the Academy could face being shut down.

There were attempts to talk with Narvin Lichfield, a U.S. citizen and the owner of the Academy when he arrived on a moments notice to a meeting in the
Health Centre of Orotina attended by authorities from the Ministry of Health and PANI. Narvin Litchfield declined to make any comments or talk to this media. He carried plans and documents, as possible documentation in his defense.


Dazed and Confused Youth that fled the Academy yesterday looked horrified and appeared terrified to look back. The youth were vigilant and on the lookout for people following them to make them return to the life that they had been living.


Witnesses of a stampede Nowhere to go Justin, Albert, Jen, Matt, Todd, Tyler. Students at the Dundee Ranch Academy left yesterday at 4:20 PM with the hope of being able to talk to their parents and to return to their respective homes. Few were able to achieve their goals.

Those who witnessed the stampede of students could hardly believe the events that happened.

I was surrounded by law enforcement officers, and even the law enforcement officers were perplexed at the stressful images. They were trying to
understand why many youth fled from the Academy.

At approximately 1:00 PM, the attorney general raided and searched the premises of the Dundee Ranch in an intense investigation that tries to
determine if there were human rights violations against the minors. The investigation also looks to determine charges against privacy and liberty.

After a bad interpretation of the explanations by the attorney general of Orotina, Fernando Vargas tried to explain to the youth the rights that they
had. Many youth fled the inside of the Academy into the streets.

The rumor quickly spread to the entrance of the Academy. Keysey, a youth who was in the higher levels of the program and was about to finish the
program the next month asked us if we had seen some of his friends. The alarm sounded that the first youth fled the premises.

Out of many youths whom I spoke with, keysey was in the small minority who expressed any interest in returning to such a place.

Following Keysey, Justin and Albert were also looking for friends who had fled the place. They did not want to remain in the Academy but they did not want to face the dangers found in the streets of Orotina or the punishments that many youth faced in the past at the Academy if they were found and taken back to the Academy.

Jen stated that she had some food in her pocket and wanted to see her dad. Jen was one of the first 3 youth who fled the place. 16 year old Jen, a native of South Carolina was nervous about her future and did not want to return to the Academy. Later, Jen was aided by PANI and was taken to a shelter run by PANI. Jen asked the question if at the shelter she would be allowed to talk to her parents and that if she had to endure physical abuse and hits. Along with Jen, Matthew, Todd, and two other unidentified youths left.

 ?This is a cage and I cannot stay in this place? stated Todd while on our surroundings tens of youth left the Academy. The youth were encouraged by the staff at the Ranch to go into the cars of PANI and the law enforcement agencies.

It is evident that authorities did not expect certain reactions from the youth. Many students feared leaving Dundee Ranch because they feared any reprisals from inside the Academy  The scene of youth leaving the premises did not slow down and the personnel from the Academy was divided. Some tired to calm the youth while others  encouraged the youth to take to the streets. Many youth were disoriented and confused with the events and fled barefoot through the large rocky
street without any apparent direction.



Findings

This is only an extract of the arguments from the regional office of PANI in  Alajuela to denounce the violation if rights to the office of the attorney in Atenas.

The physical premises at the Academy do not meet the conditions to meet the basic needs of the minors. The premises do not have proper ventilation, proper lighting, and the premises do not have any privacy.

The nutrition levels are lacking and are not enough to meet the requirements of the youth. The youth allege that they only received limited quantities of food, a menu that was not similar to their previous diets, and that the  food hygiene was not very sanitary.

There is a restriction placed on the youth to communicate with family or other close relatives. By limiting the contact with parents, there is a
creation of distance between the youth and their respective families.

It is noted that the Academy lacks properly trained personnel to take care of and safeguard the rights of the population.

The immigration issues with many of the youth are not clearly defined. Many youth do not even know where they are located.

There are punishments that fit the definitions of physical abuse and psychological abuse. These types of abuse are strictly prohibited under Costa Rican law.

Some of the types of abuse include isolation and physical restrictions.

The Academy is overpopulated, the place houses more than 200 youth and many youth sleep on the floor. The sleeping facilities are not convenient, are uncomfortable, and there is little hygiene in the bathrooms.

Source:
Resolution ratified yesterday, Tuesday at 2:30 PM in the Academy Dundee Ranch in Orotina

[FaceKhan]

Viva Costa Rica. I hope the penalties for running that place are swift and involve a rope. Too much to hope for I am sure, since Costa Rica is supposedly very rights oriented.

Does Costa Rica have an extradition treaty with the US cause we all know Lichfield will run if it looks like he will be prosecuted?

I hope this snaps those parents out of their WWASPie funk and they bring the kids home.

[Anonymous]

Now That's progress! How many of us used to daydream about something like this? If Litchfield has half a brain, and I'm not at all certain that that's the case, he'll leave the area for his own safety. How many of those kids are hanging around the neighborhood trying to figure out what to do next? And if you and half a dozen friends were in their shoes (or bare feet) and happened to see that SOB getting out of his car or something, what would you do?

[Anonymous]

Looks like one WWASP prison down, 10 to go.   ::armed::

[Anonymous]

so why are kids still at Dundee?

[Anonymous]

What is the status of Su Flower's daughter?  God Bless her!!

[Anonymous]

does anyone have a link to this Al Dia News website?

[Anonymous]

Carey,
   With all the effort you have put into shutting down the WWASP run shools, have you sought out alternative treatment for kids were severe drug and discipline problems? I have a brother at one of the schools and EVEN if the allegations toward the school are true, Id rather see him there than home. Considering the type of kids that attend these schools, I would take their statements with a grain of salt. Living a life with drugs, Im sure that they would say anything to convince their parents to take them home. Either way, no situation is ideal, and no no one should be treated inhumanly but some measure need to be taken when leaders and administrators are faced with the actions of TOUGH kids. I would rather see my little brother learn the hard way in a school like Dundee Ranch than end up dead or on the streets addicted to drugs. The alternatives to these schools are limited. Either, these kids can return home to and envirnoment where they have virtually no chance of a successful life or prison. No school or situation is ideal when the problems that these kids have are involved. Ideally, I would like to see my brother at home, drugfree, and achieving academic goals. Realistically this can't happen. I just think that instead of focusing all your energy in shutting down THE LAST RESORT for these parents you should focus your attention on your own children that you have "liberated". It seems to me that you have enough problems of your own to be consuming yourself with the problems of others. I hope that you are proud of your involvement in shutting down Dundee Ranch and endind=g the possibitilty of recovery these troubled kids had!
An Angry Sister! :flame:

[METALGOD8]

Under no circumstances should anyone support a company that specializes in the treatment that these kids, no matter how incorrigible, receive on a daily basis in either this or some foreign country. In the US, there are many counselors, psychiatrists, doctors and support for troubled teens and young adults that do NOT make a business out of abusing and torturing them. Dundee Ranch is NOT the last resort, or any resort period! By sending him there, it was quite simply a terrible choice to make.
Should you require assistance finding actual help here in this country, let me know, I would be glad to provide you with some information.
 
Sincerely,
MG8 :smokin: