Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform > CALO - Change Academy at Lake of the Ozarks
CALO Runaway - Tom Riley
Che Gookin:
You do realize that a restraint a calo involves pain compliance right? A bent wrist hold can't be fun for anyone. Why wouldn't he be scared shitless of the place?
seanc:
Che,
I'm aware of the wrist locks. No, I don't think it is fun for anyone who has been placed in such a hold. I'm fully aware of what is involved. I trained in martial arts for over 20 years and have been put into these holds literally thousands of times. I've trained military, IRS armed field agents, Chicago Police, firemen, security, lots of professionals. I'm fully aware of the pain that can be inflicted, especially from novices that have not been properly trained or execute it poorly. I don't condone it, I don't like it and yet I have mixed feelings about it in certain circumstances.
I understand that some individuals need to be restrained if they become violent. I also understand that some staff members at CALO enjoy the power trip as well as inflicting pain on kids. Do some kids need to be restrained, absolutely. Do most kids at CALO need or deserve to be restrained, no, I don't think so. I think most of these kids can be talked down. However, many kids at CALO truly believe they are tough guys and come off that way to staff. But it's just all an act. Most of them are not real offenders and are just frightened, overindulged or confused kids that don't want to play by the grownups' rules.
From what I've seen at CALO, certain staff, not all, look for any reason to employ the joint locks. I've even seen staff rough-housing with the kids and the kids thought they were just playing around, when the kids touched (not hit mind you) the staff, the staff got pissed and immediately took the kid down. Remember, many of the staff are just kids themselves, not much older than the children. You and I went to school with these types every day. CALO has an incredible double standard when it comes to this type of behavior. You and I both know if I did this to an adult, I'd go to jail for it. However, the rules are different for minors.
While I've seen the double standard, I have not witnessed staff purposely and maliciously inflict pain for no reason. But then again, who would in front of the parents. I think this would be a very dangerous practice for the staff. With that said, are you implying or telling me that pain is inflicted just for the sake of inflicting pain at CALO? Also, do you know if the practice of restraining minors in a setting such as CALO is illegal in Missouri? Moral issues aside, I don't know if there is really any legal thing that can be done about the restraints, unless you know something I don't. If you are aware of some law or if someone is willing to come forward and testify that CALO routinely and for no reason inflicts pain on the children as part of their program, I would like to speak with them. I am also of the opinion that there are much, much bigger issues at CALO other than the wrist locks. While I do not like this practice, I just don't know what can be done about it. But I am willing to listen and take action if you have a solution.
Being realistic, pain happens to people every day. Part of life involves learning how to manage a certain degree of pain. This is how small children learn not to touch hot stoves. I've never met an individual that hasn't had to deal with some type of pain in their life. I just don't think it is reasonably possible to insulate someone from the pain that life throws us, for their entire life. Somewhere, Somehow, Someone thought pain was a useful part of life, a necessary evil, kind of like the mosquito. Again, I don't like it, would rather not have it in my life, and believe me I've had more than my share, but I don't know what you or I could ever do about it. Sometimes there is good that comes from pain, if nothing else, something can be learned from it. But then again, we are back to the 800lb gorilla argument.
Do I think Tom was scared shitless of CALO? I don't know. Fear is an incredibly personal thing, some things I consider routine, scare the crap out of some and vice versa. All I can say is that CALO reminded me of summer camp with a little extra trimmings. From what I've seen and experienced, I believe hockey camp is a much tougher program, alot more pain, infinately cheaper and actually acheives its goals.
My issue with CALO goes way beyond the wrist locks.
Oscar:
The death (victim) list was too long for some browsers to open it, so I moved all the missing cases to a separate page called:
Missing and wanted
Pile of Dead Kids:
Never found him, did you, fucker? He's got to be 18 by now.
jenmichael:
Tom was a good friend of mine, I knew him before i went to calo, he has a good head on his sholders, i trust that he has been well looked after while living on the run. We went to two programs together and knew each other two years before attending the first treatment center. If anyone has information on how i can get back in contact with him please give me the information i would greatly appriciate it. Also if anyone wants me to answer any questions about calo directly since i have attended i would be more than willing... in the best of phrases my life there was a hell hole... but if anyone wants me to eleborate ask and i will.
Jen Michael
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