Even skimming this post once will blow your mind, most probably think thats its made up but you would be dead wrong (self.self)
submitted 17 days ago by Gzasmyhero
summary- Google: the elan school (this will basically open Pandora's box)
This place only still exist because so many people believe that it doesn't or that it can't. I believe that the internet is our #1 tool for exposing these horrid blind spots for what they are. Help me Reddit!
I was sent to a place called The Elan School in 1998 and I was only 16. The scary thing is that Elan is still open, kids aged 13-20 are there right now. Normal kids, many whom may have smoked a joint or two, or who swore at their parents. Of course there were also real criminals there, but they did not make up the majority.
The "school" accepted anyone and then held them as long as they possibly could depending on the age of the child. If you were sent at 14 (many were) you may have been looking at 3-4 years. This is because The Elan School collects $50,000 a year per child, either from the child's state, school, or parents. And, of course, money was the only motivation of the staff and directors. These were the people in charge of your "progress" in the program.
I could write for hours about it, instead I ask you to skim the following bullet points and to understand that I am telling the truth.
We were forced to participate in staff-organized fight clubs, none of which were fair, all were designed to humiliate one child who would be put up against at least 3 others. So even the children who "followed the rules" were forced to fight: in the name of "good".
Children who tried to rebel or be free-thinking were thrown into an isolation room where they had to stay for months at a time, they had to sleep at night on a dirty mattress on the floor of the isolation room The mattress was brought to them at midnight and they were woken up around 7am.
We were all forced to perform in a ritual called a "General Meeting" where the entire house (60 or more boys and girls) screamed at one child who stood behind a broomstick. Many times they were forcibly held up by two other students so they would have to accept the punishment.
Education was considered a right, but those of us who earned the right were still robbed of an education. School was from 7pm-11pm: no homework, no test, no projects. Ex: math class consisted of grabbing a math book and handing the teacher at least one page of work.
The other 12 hours of the day consisted of constant conditioning and brainwashing. In the beginning you obviously rejected it, but then you would be "dealt with". You would not be able to rise through the ranks of the program to earn more 'rights' until you could prove yourself to be a good candidate for more brainwashing. Eventually it became your responsibility to begin indoctrinating the newer residents (basically you, six month earlier). You had Strength and Non-Strength. Non-Strength's were not allowed to talk, interact, or communicate in any way with other Non-Strengths. It took a minimum of 6 months to earn the title of "Strength". It took some kids years to earn "Strength". Some kids never did.
Elan made money based on the amount of time it took for you to graduate "the program". You had to have a minimum of 7 promotions before you were a candidate for "graduation". Each promotion took a minimum of 3 months, and 90% of the kids never made it past the 5th promotion. These kids had to wait until they turned 18 and could legally sign themselves out. Other kids stayed past their 18th birthday, which is a true testament to the effectiveness of the brainwashing, I remember one dude was 23.
Your level of high-school had no reflection whatsoever on your ability to leave Elan. I was forced to do my senior year of high school twice, even though I was technically done after the first senior year.
The staff members were primarily former students who were hired by Elan after graduating from the program. Many arrived in BMW's and clearly made 6 figure incomes. None of them had degree's in psychology, education, social work, etc... Many of them never went to college at all.
All outgoing letters to parents were screened, many of us having to write many different drafts until they were accepted. All phone calls to our parents were monitored, we were allowed about 15 minutes a week and the person who monitored the call would have their hand hovering over the hang-up button as a constant reminder of our reality.
We were not allowed to write or receive letters until we earned the right (this could take 8 months or more). When someone found out where I was and wrote me, my unopened letters were ripped up in front of me as motivation to move up in the program.
I feel like I am beginning to write too much and I do not want to overwhelm anyone who made it this far. Because most of the bullet points honestly require further explanation to give the full impact of what Elan truly was.
The most important thing that anyone can do is to be aware of this place and make sure that nobody you know ever gets sent there for any reason. If you are a parent then do not send your child there. If you know someone who is there now then beg the parents to do more research.
The amount of suicides and tragic deaths of former Elan students is reason enough to take this post seriously.
***if you want to help then Google: the elan school.....dig through the links, learn about it, know that it exist
please
email:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/44635665/Scribdto show double support, click here next
Edit: And I started this IAMa to answer specific questions:
Subscribe here for infrequent action alerts about the effort to close Elan.
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kelou4 576 points 17 days ago[-]
At first I was like "Pff. Nice scare story." Then I actually did some legwork, and found it confirmed by a few articles. (Including New York times and a few other reliable sources ) I looked on Snopes, and didn't find anything.
I say we, as a group, send urgent letters to CPS, and the senators of Maine, whoever is there that can investigate this further. Perhaps there is someone in Maine who can drive up there and get some pictures, or testimonies? The place exists, now its just a matter of finding out exactly what goes on in there, for sure.
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antifolkhero 75 points 17 days ago[-]
This is another good source: elanschool.org.
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howitzer86 44 points 17 days ago[-]
From reading this:
"I recently received a phone call from a local contractor who I have done business with over the years. He was called by Elan to evaluate/repair a variety of problems throughout the complex. He could not believe the condition of the facility, explaining its rundown condition and comparing it to a shantytown ... I learned that the Poland complex need for repair exceeds the value of the property. This, coupled with a score of existing liens from suppliers and contractors seeking payment, has the Poland property stalled in court. The real estate industry calls this type of property a white elephant.
This has already affected the resident population as parents who visit expect better conditions for their 50K. It was trendy to get well in log cabins in the 1970s, but not in the '00s when you market yourself as a private school for college-bound kids. Factor into this the incredibly bad press Elan has absorbed of late, and there you have a real mess.
I expect a slow demise for the Elan School. The gross mismanagement of the facility on a business level has them ankle deep in red ink. I predict that Elan will slowly gear down toward a scheduled date to close. The current owners will liquidate everything and retire."
It's good to know Elan School's days are numbered.
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nrfx 33 points 17 days ago[-]
It's good to know Elan School's days are numbered.
It is, but its also pretty disturbing that the owners will get away with it, and will continue to profit off of it.
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bluuuuuuuuuuuuuueeee 44 points 17 days ago[-]
I think the thing that would really help to bring this problem to our nation's attention is if somebody does a documentary on this school (a good one, so it can get into festivals and actually get the word out-- I know. Not easy. But it's a damn interesting subject and it probably would help). It's crazy how The New York Times and other very reliable papers and whatnot can print articles on this, but still it's hardly known about. There needs to be a better method of getting the word out on this one, because this is just fucked up and should not be happening.
OP:
I'm very sorry for what you have been put through. Nobody should have to deal with that, but I'm sure you're going to be a stronger person than us all for making it through such a horrific experience. Stay strong, pal!
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Meincraft 135 points 17 days ago[-]
This is one of those occasions where I wish Cryptome or Wikileaks would expose these bastards and the lack of action being undertaken by state officials.
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zanyzebra 286 points 17 days ago[-]
Cryptome or Wikileaks have nothing to do with this - this is publicly known information. The media should be reporting on this, but OOH LOOK AT THE PUPPY SWIMMING!!!
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jorick 53 points 17 days ago[-]
while something could be said about the sad state of the current media or its consumers (and, for that matter, the cuteness of the aforementioned puppy), i feel it is detracting from the main point of focus here.
I for one would love to see redditors investigate this further and perhaps even change the situation.
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TheVanityShow 141 points 17 days ago[-]
cat pictures will get more upvotes than this post... sad, sad world.
and just so this comment gets burried... fuck your cats.
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hamo_bu1234 56 points 17 days ago[-]
Boy were you proven wrong.
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lotkrotan 15 points 17 days ago[-]
I live in maine, what can I do to help?
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RadOwl 27 points 16 days ago[-]
lotkrotan, here are some things you can do as a resident of Maine:
Find out how Elan is licensed -- what state agency is in charge of schools like Elan, and how are the professionals who work there certified? There are probably staff psychologists, counselors, and teachers. I found this link for shrinks in Maine:
http://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionalli ... logist.htmSee if you, as a resident, can file a complaint or make some kind of statement for the record questioning the conditions these professionals work in. Here are one of the requirements for licensing as a psychologist in Maine: "Demonstrate that you are trustworthy and competent to engage in the practice of psychology as to safeguard the interests of the public." From what I've read in this post and the discussion, Elan's psychologists are not safeguarding the public interest.
Next, find out who represents Elan's voting districts like state House and Senate, and Federal-level offices. Write to them; ask for an immediate investigation. Use the media links provided in this discussion for background. Get responses for the record and blog about it.
Contact Maine's most famous resident, Stephen King, through his Website and ask him to get involved. People who write about the horrors that people can inflict on each other are often very sensitive to real-life cases. Elan sounds like something dreamed up by a horror novelist. Well, to combat something like that, call in a horror novelist. It's off-the-wall, but if it works, would be the best thing that we could hope for, because Mr. King has resources we don't and IS a state resident.
As a general idea, I suggest some Google Bombs are in order. The top search rankings for Elan in Maine -- assuming these allegations against the school are correct -- should link to pages warning against sending children there. We need a search specialist and someone with 10,000-or-so Facebook friends to take this task. Volunteers?
There's more we can do, especially if Elan gets public funds -- then there's a LOT we can do. I'll wait to see how the discussion goes before making more suggestions. I was in a place like Elan as a teenager, except the staff there were really trying to help some troubled kids. Abusing that trust to help instead of harm is reprehensible. Team Reddit, you know what to do.
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GodisScottCard 10 points 17 days ago[-]
I live in Maine, about 45 minutes from this place. I could take some pictures, but what should I do to avoid getting in trouble? A twenty year old woman with a camera might be sort of conspicuous.
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Philanthropi 208 points 17 days ago[-]
1 why were you sent there? 2 I assume you talked your parents when you left, what were their reactions? 3 did your parents or guardians basically sign over all rights to the school to do what they liked with you? 4 did people ever 'escape'? 5 are you in touch with any other graduates? 6 did this give you any grounding for university? You spoke about lack of education, what did you do afterwards? And what are you doing now?
Interesting read, thanks!
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Chris3411444 115 points 17 days ago[-]
I can't speak for the OP but:
I assume you talked your parents when you left, what were their reactions?
My cousin's parents have never really believed the stories of what went on there, or were/always have been in willful denial about it.
did your parents or guardians basically sign over all rights to the school to do what they liked with you?
From what I understand, this is basically what happens, and the "inmates" are allowed little contact with the outside world.
4 did people ever 'escape'?
I seem to remember he talked about it happening occasionally, but anyone that did were usually returned by the authorities, or their own families, to face even more harsh conditions afterwards.
are you in touch with any other graduates?
My cousin has been in sporadic contact with a few people from there over the years, and most of them are all still pretty messed up. They're a pretty close knit group otherwise, or at least have a connection due to shared trauma like anyone with similar experiences.
did this give you any grounding for university?
In no way meant to be offensive, but to anyone familiar with Elan, that's a laughable question. The actual well-being and preparedness for future life is little more than an afterthought, if even that.
You spoke about lack of education, what did you do afterwards? And what are you doing now?
My cousin has never really been able to adjust to normal life, has worked various menial jobs in the past decade, and will likely never be successful. I credit Elan and his parents with that, for the most part.
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On_ne_sait_jamais 21 points 17 days ago[-]
Goodness...this is like that movie "Sleepers."
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Gzasmyhero
232 points 17 days ago* [-]
1) I dont want to give away too much info about myself quite yet in case someone is trying to piece together who I am. Maybe its a bit paranoid, but i have my reasons. I am trying to bring down a multi-million dollar establishment that is basically no more than a continuing criminal enterprise.........
But lets say that what sent me there made me a perfect middle person. Half the people were there for worse things and half were there for less.
2) My mother refuses to listen and honestly, I was just sooooo happy to be free that it took a bit for all of my emotions to settle and for me to find the right words. Unfortunately i was sent there by the state so my parents had no say in the matter. But once I finally began to tell them everything I realized a) that it sounds crazy b)that it would take days to explain it well and in detail c)my mother was crying even when I began to tell her things that on a scale from 1 to Horrible, were like a 6. Other people have been able to properly express it to their family members and the reaction is obviously one of horror.
Here is a summary of someone who actually was able to do something about it: “In 1987, a woman named Bethany Berry claimed that she’d suffered sleep-and food-deprivation as well as assault as an Elan resident between the ages of 16 and 18. She later filed a lawsuit against the school, Ricci, and the state of Maine, charging abuse (it was eventually settled out of court for an undisclosed sum).”
3) Yes, whether sent by parents, state, or school: the child is signed over into the care of Elan and cannot legally sign out until the age of 18.
4)Multiple people have escaped. In the two years I was there only one person successfully escaped AND stayed escaped. Everyone else was somehow brought back. If you tried to run away on a home visit with parents (which took up to 2 years to earn), Elan had established connections with the police in your town in case of a run-away.
The guy I knew who escaped, it was his second attempt. His first was made after 6 months, his second was made after 18 months (on a home visit). He basically became a ghost and nobody heard from him until after his 18th birthday had passed (not even his parents). I called him after I got out and told him he was a hero of mine.
There have also been multiple cases of children running away and never being seen again, or turning up dead. One girl was raped and murdered by a trucker, she was trying to hitchhike home. Another boy was shot was a local who thought he was trespassing on their property.
5) yes, I am in touch with multiple graduates, nearly 300.
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suckmyball 68 points 17 days ago[-]
Considering "the state" sent you to this school, have you considered hiring a civil rights attorney or at least consulting one? Money to pay for the attorney isn't as likely to be a problem as you think. And even if it is, 300 people (the ex students of this school) pitching in would probably take care of that problem relatively cheaply.
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[deleted] 7 points 17 days ago[-]
I'm just replying in the hopes that more people see this. I think this is a really good suggestion. Probably the best thing OP can do is: hire a lawyer and try to get this place into court (and thus into the news) and start talking to some media people and try to interest them.
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sneggiwt 141 points 17 days ago[-]
This seems like a pretty big piece of identifying information.
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pardnthat 49 points 17 days ago[-]
"I dont want to give away too much info about myself quite yet in case someone is trying to piece together who I am."
better remove the e-mail address from your post thar (assuming it's your name)
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[deleted] 17 days ago[-]
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Who_is 23 points 17 days ago* [-]
I know there are a lot of questions here and most are probably uncomfortable and difficult for you to recall. However, I think that it would be helpful for a potential case if you could establish details in advance. If such a case occurred, you could look back here to jog your memory. I have listed some questions that I think could help to establish these details. (Other redditors, feel free to add on in reply.)
What did they feed you?
Was the food provided adequate?
What did staff members eat?
Did they provide you with clothes?
Was the clothing provided adequate?
How much sleep were you allowed each night?
Was the sleep that you were allowed adequate?
Can you describe the techniques of food and sleep deprivation?
Was good behavior rewarded? How so?
Was bad behavior punished? How so?
Was punishment enacted without regards to an individual's behavior? Would a well-behaved individual be punished? How so?
What treatments did they use that constituted abuse (physical, sexual, etc)?
Here are some links I found about the Élan School:
Maine School Approval Review
Details Magazine Article
Joseph Ricci (former Élan School head) Estate Court Case
Message Board from previous Élan students - discusses staff members
Joseph Ricci article
Facebook group - I went to Elan School
Staff List with other links
Heal-Online - discusses other possible teen torture facilities: SCROLL DOWN FOR A LIST OF THEM. THERE IS ONE IN ALMOST EVERY STATE. THIS IS A NATIONAL PROBLEM.
Gzasmyhero - please see this post on the Facebook wall from the "I went to Elan School" group:
Alright - I am ready to do this the right way. I am the host of a popular comedy podcast called RED BAR RADIO - I have been telling my listeners for years that one day I will tell the complete ELAN STORY on the show - I attended Elan in 1999 - I would like to organize with a few others to tell the complete story about... this place on my show. It will have to be done in multiple parts, since there is so much to tell. I would like to do interviews with other students, and get all the facts together so that the story isn't a mess. If you're interested in being involved, email http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/news/ ... 5elan.html
'While New York conducted a surprise inspection, it is the policy of Maine's education department to let schools know when state officials are going to conduct a visit, said Edwin "Buzz" Kastuck, whose responsibilities within the department include school approval.'
Here is a claim made in the same article:
'Frank McDermott, the Elan School's director of education, said the New York officials who visited in 2005 conducted extensive interviews with students, parents and graduates.
here is a comment written after an article, titled:Good News: Bad Economy Killing Abusive Teen Programs: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/maia-szal ... 62696.html
"I was a student at the Elan School for 3 years from 2005 to 2008. I am still traumatized by what I went through during my time there. Waking up each day the environment was constant screaming and swearing, by students, but more so by the "staff". I remember as a new student, I was crying when I was told to scrub a garbage can as a punishment for something so minor that I can't even remember the cause. I has stopped cleaning it, and that was when the staff determined that I had to be restrained and dragged to "the corner", isolation in a room to the point when one barely feels human. I tried to fight back, as any normal person would do when one is touched and forcefully grabbed without consent. Instead of just bringing me to the corner, the staff had other students hold me up, my hands and feet restrained, as other students were forced to scream and degrade me. I say forced, because regretfully I have also done the same to other students, and I know that if they refused to participate in this abominable event they too would have been punished. The only way to survive in this setting was to shut down emotionally. This memory haunts me to current day.
"This school needs to be shut down, and I am happy if that day is coming near. Even if Elan survives the recession, it should still be closed. However, this could prove to be exceedingly difficult, because the students in the school are pressured not even to think a bad thought about the program, let alone utter it, and will receive punishment if they fail to oblige that rule. I know that while I was at the school investigations were conducted, and students were pressured into lying. Furthermore, a survey was also done, which now appears on the school's website, some questions asking about if we felt comfortable at the school. It was said to be anonymous, but again we felt pressured into lying, staff was supervising, and each of our handwriting could be easily identified. "I hope someone reacts to the atrocity that is the Elan School."
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AimlessArrow 377 points 17 days ago[-]
The people who currently run Elan (the living family members of the late Joe Ricci)
Submit to 4chan and let Anonymous handle this.
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sneggiwt 95 points 17 days ago[-]
This is the best suggestion in this entire thread.
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[deleted] 17 days ago[-]
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AimlessArrow 125 points 17 days ago[-]
You're looking for the /b/ board.
Include the full story, plus any contact information you may have, such as email addresses, snail mail addresses and names of the perpetrators.
The /b/tards know what to do.
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Budddy 102 points 17 days ago[-]
Normally this mob-justice shit scares me, but nothing else seems to be working on these scumbags and something needs to be done.
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[deleted] 17 days ago[-]
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nerdshark 32 points 17 days ago[-]
Just post a random picture, doesn't matter what it is.
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AimlessArrow 12 points 17 days ago* [-]
That's optional.
Edit:
As massivebitchtits pointed out, if you start a new thread you do need to upload an image.
Pick any old image you like. Preferably something that grabs the attention and is humorous.
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waffleninja 14 points 17 days ago[-]
/b/ is the main board. The thread may disappear fast though, so post on other boards to. You may have to repost it on /b/ to get actual attention.
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charmanderonfire 13 points 17 days ago[-]
There are multiple boards with /b/tards who just go by different nicknames, I tend not to frequent these boards but I know for sure /v/ and /vp/ would help if anything was organized.
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dbz253 20 points 17 days ago[-]
So what happened? Did a bunch of people just say "not your personal army" and "GTFO"?
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snugglecuddle 62 points 17 days ago[-]
I live about 10 miles away from Poland Springs, and I've never heard of the Elan School. I'm not saying that it doesn't exist or that I don't believe your story. However, you're assertion that everyone up here knows about it is false. I've NEVER heard of this school before, neither have my parents or my brother (he has friends at Poland Regional HS, and didn't know what I was asking about). Obviously some local awareness needs to happen if anything is really going to change.
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Gzasmyhero 55 points 17 days ago[-]
really, please help out snugglecuddle, if you are really from that area, you knowing about this and telling some locals might have been one of the best reasons I even posted this in the first place
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[deleted] 17 days ago[-]
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AZL94 15 points 17 days ago[-]
All the positive reviews on their site make me fucking sick. If i hadn't read your post i would have believed that bullshit...
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LazyDinosaur 11 points 17 days ago[-]
One of the review summaries-
"From the hottest fire comes the strongest steel" - greatschools.org
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vjiglados 40 points 17 days ago[-]
I knew someone who worked at the Elan School. As far as I know,t hey went through the same indoctrination as the students...she stopped working there a year after she started, she couldn't handle it. The town really doesn't do much because it brings in so much tax revenue for the town that its allowed to keep treating students in this horrible manner. Hopefully, because of the economic downturn, it is on its way out, but you never know....
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ricktencity 29 points 17 days ago[-]
I imagine it's a lot like the zimbardo prison experiment. Not that that in any way justifies their actions, but I think it's probably a similar process.
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Gzasmyhero 32 points 17 days ago[-]
yes, exactly. This comparison has been made (Stanford Prison experiment) http://theelanschool.tumblr.com/post/40 ... udy-of-the
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waffleninja 28 points 17 days ago[-]
Write congress. Write the president. Call any news organization. Sue them.
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tinpanallegory 28 points 17 days ago[-]
You should write a book about your experiences. Then send a copy to Jon Stewart on the first printing.
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beder 37 points 17 days ago[-]
What is REALLY disturbing about that place, is not it's mere existence, but the fact that not only the owners are disturbed, but that obviously there's a lot of powerful people supporting it (as in not closing the place), and this people are probably politicians and/or police authorities, who we are supposed to trust in and who make most of the rules that directly impact into our lives.
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afatsumcha 15 points 17 days ago[-]
Money talks, it seems.
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foltaggio 18 points 17 days ago[-]
Link to relevant AMA
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ImmortalAngel 185 points 17 days ago[-]
I was in that God forsaken hole in the woods from 91-93. When I was there I was 14 turning 15, had barely done a damned thing wrong (was severely abused by father, finally got free in 7th grade only to go to Aunts who happened to his sister & yup, the mental illness just ran in the familia! my crimes were running away from home, skippin school, sassin back, etc. no drugs, drinking, stealing, sex, etc.etc.) I was acting out from years of abuse left untreated by therapy. Here I am, asked by the DCF worker "Do u want to go to this great boarding school in Maine?" I thought it was just that, a boarding school, maybe the kids had issues like mine, we get therapy, education, I learn to ski, shit like that. I pull up on a freezing cold winter day to trailers in the woods! Am searched like a prisoner, shuffled around a place filled with kids scrubbing floors on their hands and knees and screaming. I freaked! This place was based on mental cruelness and intimidation. It was run by kids basically, the kids wanting to get the f out so they gladly played along to get their damned trips to movies or pizza and sodas every weekend. My soul, childhood,traded for a kids pizza and soda. This place truly is dog eat dog, the weak get trampled. U gotta scream at ppl, degrade em and force em to do crazy stuff or else you will be in their position. One girl wore a huge ass sign on her neck "ask me why I am a receptacle for mens sperm confront me as to why I act like a pig" holy crap! she was like 16. they verbally abused ppl like WHOA, had ppl wanting to die it was so bad, these general meeting ppl stood inches from ur face and spit they nasty ass breath spit all in your face calling you names so bad a hard core prisoner would blush! Not to mention the corner, u sit facing a corner for anywhere from 1 hour to 1 month with a kid watching you, school was a few hours a night. the staff were wild! one girl i was close with died horribly when she ran away, when the director of my house told us of her death she pointed to me and went off on how i would never be as good as this girl, i was worthless (i was 16) she was so much prettier, charismatic, etc.than i, why her and not me, i am a waste of bed space, etc.etc. chick was prettier than Tanya (the director/staff of house) even, but damn dude u tell me my friend was viscously murdered and in the next breath use it as an excuse to verbally abuse & insult & embarrass me?! WTF? What kind of person are you? A teenager just died horribly and u use it as an excuse to degrade another kid?! What a C*NT. Ppl looked like they wanted to step in but thats signing your death warrant. One boy told me after, a Coordinator (a high student position), that Tanya was dead wrong and a bitch & he was sorry and he felt bad for me and he would deny it if i ever mentioned it & he hopes I can get the fuck out of there soon. I went home a few months later. They kept me there and kept me there from 91-93! They told my Dad I was going to kill myself if he took me home to my Nana's funeral despite the fact she died RIGHT b4 I was slated to be released! He even said "Well, she is to come home a week later anyways are u telling me she is suicidal or you dont want her to come home early for financial reasons?" On my parent group and after that call he called the DCF ppl and told them he was busting me out so they better get me out or else. He was ex Navy so he had a way of talking that made ppl listen up. Some kids there were truly truly truly truly in need of serious psychiatric help, they offered NADA but more degradation! I remember 2 kids, Sean and Susan. Holy crap, I cried for them it was so sad. One was from Canada & seemed to of dumped her there & I forgot where he was from. They were young too. These kids were truly mentally ill. Other ppl dumped all over them. They were the perfect punching bags. Ppl were so pissed about being there these groups where we got to yell at kids that pissed us off turned into "at the top of your lungs 1 hour long who can degrade who the best sessions". Totally non therapeutic. It was all "Fuck you slut, whore, ugly mofo, I hate you, die, I wanna punch you, you ugly whore, you wanna be gangsta, why dont you die, retard, pussy , cock sucker, fag, shit for brains, etc.etc.etc." It was BRUTAL. If you did NOT scream at ppl u got in trouble! So, ppl screamed at kids like these 2 mentally ill kids, kids like me who were in trouble and told the place to go F itself and had no problem telling other kids they were phonies and should be ashamed of themselves for helping Elan brutally rape growing childrens souls. I'm sorry I saw NOTHING good about that place! The kids who left at the top of the food chain, many are dead now, in prison, killed themselves, became junkies and crackheads and crystal freaks. It's freaking wild that I, the biggest fuck up of em all did better than the biggest look goods in the joint! Not ALL kids ended up doing so bad when they left btw. Some prospered in and out of that hell hole. I left having nightmares, jumping when doors slammed and ppl screamed, I couldn't go to a public HS cuz I was agoraphobic at 17! I thought I was going crazy, having a heart attack but they were panic attacks. Till this day loud noises and screaming ppl make me jittery. ANYTHING you read about this place is true. When ppl tell you stuff imagine the worst then multiply THAT by 10 then you will begin to touch upon the horror and fear ppl felt in that dump!
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hallizh 74 points 17 days ago[-]
I know it's a wall of text, but try reading it, its really relevant.
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dalaio 18 points 16 days ago[-]
He's right - also makes 'Lord of the Flies' seem like a pleasant way to organize society by comparison...
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idobelieve 39 points 16 days ago[-]
Broke it up into paragraphs of sorts for easier reading. Very relevant indeed.
"I was in that God forsaken hole in the woods from 91-93. When I was there I was 14 turning 15, had barely done a damned thing wrong (was severely abused by father, finally got free in 7th grade only to go to Aunts who happened to his sister & yup, the mental illness just ran in the familia! my crimes were running away from home, skippin school, sassin back, etc. no drugs, drinking, stealing, sex, etc.etc.) I was acting out from years of abuse left untreated by therapy.
Here I am, asked by the DCF worker "Do u want to go to this great boarding school in Maine?" I thought it was just that, a boarding school, maybe the kids had issues like mine, we get therapy, education, I learn to ski, shit like that.
I pull up on a freezing cold winter day to trailers in the woods! Am searched like a prisoner, shuffled around a place filled with kids scrubbing floors on their hands and knees and screaming. I freaked! This place was based on mental cruelness and intimidation. It was run by kids basically, the kids wanting to get the f out so they gladly played along to get their damned trips to movies or pizza and sodas every weekend. My soul, childhood,traded for a kids pizza and soda.
This place truly is dog eat dog, the weak get trampled. U gotta scream at ppl, degrade em and force em to do crazy stuff or else you will be in their position. One girl wore a huge ass sign on her neck "ask me why I am a receptacle for mens sperm confront me as to why I act like a pig" holy crap! she was like 16. they verbally abused ppl like WHOA, had ppl wanting to die it was so bad, these general meeting ppl stood inches from ur face and spit they nasty ass breath spit all in your face calling you names so bad a hard core prisoner would blush! Not to mention the corner, u sit facing a corner for anywhere from 1 hour to 1 month with a kid watching you, school was a few hours a night. the staff were wild!
one girl i was close with died horribly when she ran away, when the director of my house told us of her death she pointed to me and went off on how i would never be as good as this girl, i was worthless (i was 16) she was so much prettier, charismatic, etc.than i, why her and not me, i am a waste of bed space, etc.etc. chick was prettier than Tanya (the director/staff of house) even, but damn dude u tell me my friend was viscously murdered and in the next breath use it as an excuse to verbally abuse & insult & embarrass me?! WTF? What kind of person are you? A teenager just died horribly and u use it as an excuse to degrade another kid?! What a C*NT. Ppl looked like they wanted to step in but thats signing your death warrant. One boy told me after, a Coordinator (a high student position), that Tanya was dead wrong and a bitch & he was sorry and he felt bad for me and he would deny it if i ever mentioned it & he hopes I can get the fuck out of there soon. I went home a few months later.
They kept me there and kept me there from 91-93! They told my Dad I was going to kill myself if he took me home to my Nana's funeral despite the fact she died RIGHT b4 I was slated to be released! He even said "Well, she is to come home a week later anyways are u telling me she is suicidal or you dont want her to come home early for financial reasons?" On my parent group and after that call he called the DCF ppl and told them he was busting me out so they better get me out or else. He was ex Navy so he had a way of talking that made ppl listen up. Some kids there were truly truly truly truly in need of serious psychiatric help, they offered NADA but more degradation!
I remember 2 kids, Sean and Susan. Holy crap, I cried for them it was so sad. One was from Canada & seemed to of dumped her there & I forgot where he was from. They were young too. These kids were truly mentally ill. Other ppl dumped all over them. They were the perfect punching bags. Ppl were so pissed about being there these groups where we got to yell at kids that pissed us off turned into "at the top of your lungs 1 hour long who can degrade who the best sessions". Totally non therapeutic. It was all "Fuck you slut, whore, ugly mofo, I hate you, die, I wanna punch you, you ugly whore, you wanna be gangsta, why dont you die, retard, pussy , cock sucker, fag, shit for brains, etc.etc.etc." It was BRUTAL. If you did NOT scream at ppl u got in trouble! So, ppl screamed at kids like these 2 mentally ill kids, kids like me who were in trouble and told the place to go F itself and had no problem telling other kids they were phonies and should be ashamed of themselves for helping Elan brutally rape growing childrens souls. I'm sorry I saw NOTHING good about that place!
The kids who left at the top of the food chain, many are dead now, in prison, killed themselves, became junkies and crackheads and crystal freaks. It's freaking wild that I, the biggest fuck up of em all did better than the biggest look goods in the joint! Not ALL kids ended up doing so bad when they left btw. Some prospered in and out of that hell hole. I left having nightmares, jumping when doors slammed and ppl screamed, I couldn't go to a public HS cuz I was agoraphobic at 17! I thought I was going crazy, having a heart attack but they were panic attacks. Till this day loud noises and screaming ppl make me jittery. ANYTHING you read about this place is true. When ppl tell you stuff imagine the worst then multiply THAT by 10 then you will begin to touch upon the horror and fear ppl felt in that dump!"
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Tasty_Yams 69 points 17 days ago[-]
I saw you post this last night, then it disappeared a minute later. I thought they got you. lol.
Anyway, I went and Googled elan, well apparently you aren't the only one complaining about this place.
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Gzasmyhero 65 points 17 days ago[-]
Yeah, I finally worked up to courage to start posting this stuff onto Reddit, unfortunately by the time I finished writing and clicked post, it was like 2am. Then I was like "Damn, my timing really sucks on this one". But I am gonna keep with it and I thank everyone who has taken to time to read my posts.
Your joke about me disappearing isn't too far off actually. Many former Elan students are afraid of just that. Maybe its a bit of an exaggeration to be THAT afraid, but the reality isn't too far off when you begin to gather information on Joseph Ricci (the founder of Elan) and his public connections to organized crime. Not to mention Elan is a multi-million dollar organization.
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uncle_tambour 59 points 17 days ago[-]
Wait, Joseph Ricci...the Maine politician? Shit, I know his son...this is too much. I want to firebomb things now.
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pardnthat 27 points 17 days ago[-]
Could anyone organise for hundreds of post-grads (or anyone I guess) to turn up at the school and fuck shit up? Whether it involves illegal or legal protest, the police wouldn't practically be able to arrest/stop everyone - in any scenario hopefully the local media would be on to it and the attention would cause people to become aware of the situation
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Chris3411444 21 points 17 days ago[-]
My cousin (who I mentioned in another comment here), used to talk about that guy, and his connections to organized crime. So, this isn't the first time I've heard that.
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felderosa 22 points 17 days ago[-]
i went looking around for joseph ricci and i found this article where Ricci basically admits to everything OP has said as standard policy... wow
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redbarradio 55 points 17 days ago[-]
HEY! I am the host of a very popular comedy podcast, RED BAR RADIO, and have been working on doing a bonus, 4-hour episode discussing my experience at Elan back in 1999. I was there for two years. I have a huge online audience now, and with some help, we can really get a lot of information together and spread this story to hundreds of thousands of people within a few days. email http://www.elanschool.com/staff.htm
http://elanschool.com/Academics/Faculty ... nistration
http://www.elanschool.com/teacher_testimonials.php
http://www.privateschoolreview.com/scho ... l_id/11928
School Contact Info:
Telephone: (207) 998-4666
Fax: (207) 998-4660
E-mail: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hidden_Lake_Academy
Sorry for the shitty grammar and stuff, I'm high and kind of excited that someone give a shit about this stuff.
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davidrichfield 35 points 17 days ago[-]
Add info about it to Wikipedia, but first read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia: ... le_sources .
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Gzasmyhero 55 points 17 days ago[-]
God knows I have tried personally at least 10 times, even modifying my updates countless times to sound objective along with adding relevant and legitimate links and references.
Countless other people I know have tried and continue to try and either everything is being systematically erased by someone in Elan's marketing department, or the Wikipedia admins are fed-up and don't give a shit about what we are saying
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davidrichfield 74 points 17 days ago[-]
My Wikipedia username is Slashme. Drop me a line there and I'll check out your edits and see whether I can offer any advice.
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Gzasmyhero 24 points 17 days ago[-]
thank you so much
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hardwire187 60 points 17 days ago[-]
There seems to be a large number of children affected by this. Why not get together a crazed mob of ex students with $10 worth of gasoline and torch the whole fucking place? Authorities aren't doing anything.. a giant fire will bring media attention
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huckfinnaafb 92 points 17 days ago[-]
Ahh yes, arson. Never a terrible idea.
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Widdershiny 17 points 17 days ago[-]
There are children inside. The very people we want to help.
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crackjoy 13 points 17 days ago[-]
$10? Come on, you'll need more than that!
At least $20...
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slates 37 points 17 days ago[-]
Elan was part of WWASP, right? I believe you, and I know there are lots more "schools" like this out there. You aren't alone!
CAFETY is on your side. If you want more info about schools I can provide it for you. I've done research on the subject, and have been in residential placement. If you want more info I can help point you in the right direction. Please let me know if you need anything.
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Gzasmyhero 21 points 17 days ago[-]
Actually, we have contacted Cafety. The unfortunate thing is how well connected Elan's founder, Joe Ricci, was. Seems like he really got the ball rolling on Elan and now people still owe him favors (even though he is dead, his wife now holds the highest position. At 50 G's a head, they have quite a big reason to continue their own existence.
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hollamac1024 29 points 17 days ago[-]
my best friend was carted off and "imprisoned" at a similar school in idaho. she almost died during a wilderness survival thing that she was forced to do in order to graduate. she also said that many people kill themselves shortly after leaving. its soooo sad. granted, she was pretty heavy into meth before she left and she turned out okay, but she is still very scarred from the experience
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unknownmichael 49 points 17 days ago[-]
you need to report this stuff to your state abuse hotline. the phone number for the appropriate abuse hotline can be found at http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/reslis ... o=11-11172
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aloneinlove 96 points 17 days ago[-]
Or better yet post this to 4chan. If your government can't do anything about it then it's time to let street justice prevail.
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Wanderlustfull 26 points 17 days ago[-]
I would love to see what 4chan do to this place.
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jamie1414 34 points 17 days ago[-]
Make sure you change the words students and inmates to the word "cat".
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Chris3411444 11 points 17 days ago[-]
This has been going on for years, and nothing seemingly ever happens to the place. Apparently the founder/operator is pretty well connected.
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damn_it_so_much 31 points 17 days ago[-]
This facebook group is an interesting read. Pretty damn condemning if you ask me.
This one really got me:
I am asking everyone here for help!!! In the time I was in elan 3 people who were in the program went on to commit suicide after they left. I'm sure there are more people who I was there with that did. I am asking anyone who knows of someone that left the program and took their life to please email me and tell me about... it! I am trying to gather facts and statistics for a project. This is very important and could save lives! Please help! My email address is: http://www.elanschool.com/admin/
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goldenmonke 15 points 17 days ago[-]
hello sql injection possibility
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sansdomicile 18 points 17 days ago[-]
This is truly horrifying, I found some more sourced testimonies here: http://www.elanschool.org/
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mareacuda 19 points 17 days ago[-]
I had a roommate years ago who went there and told me horror stories. I just sent her a facebook message and she said "yeah, all of that stuff is true and doesn't even begin to scratch the surface... " The stories stuck with me over the last 6 years.
Scary shit....
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lilptrsn 21 points 17 days ago[-]
Anyone think about hacking Elans website and changing all their bullshit to the truth? Also, I'm suggesting this story to different news shows (oprah, olbermann, nancy grace, etc)
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[deleted] 17 days ago[-]
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XJXRXVX 42 points 17 days ago[-]
I'm surprised 4chan hasn't caught wind of this.
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midnightmoonbeam 12 points 17 days ago[-]
No kittens!
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Scurry 19 points 17 days ago[-]
Wow. I live about fifteen minutes away from Poland, Maine (in Auburn, for any other locals) and I've never heard of this place. I just messaged my girlfriend who lived her whole life in poland to see if shes ever heard of it and im waiting for a response. How do I go about making more people aware of this? I dont have a car, but I might take a cab over there to check it out and take some pics.
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[deleted] 17 days ago[-]
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mle_ 32 points 17 days ago[-]
This may sound a bit crazy but have you considered contacting Oprah or someone similar? She often 'uncovers' places like these.
Thanks for sharing this and raising it to our attention;
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CentennialSky 18 points 17 days ago[-]
As someone who had the good fortune to go to a therapeutic boarding school where they actually cared about the students' well-being, I am so sorry that you had to go through this. My school was hard enough, even without the horrifying things they did to you guys.
Did you end up graduating, or did you just leave?
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Gzasmyhero 27 points 17 days ago[-]
I graduated. Which is why I believe I have some credibility. I am not one of the Elan sob stories, I am not bitter. I was actually considered an Elan success story.
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hurricanehughes 20 points 17 days ago[-]
You're in the states, right? Lawyer up and sue the shit of them, no?
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Gzasmyhero 71 points 17 days ago[-]
I am currently working on it, and the best thing is that the lawyer is an old friend of mine from Elan. He went to law school JUST FOR THIS. Since my experience is 10 years old, they told me I needed to gather testimonies from recent students, which is very hard since many are still processing what is going on. But I have collected and submitted 3 so far, just from kids who just got out and were not afraid to sign their names and have it posted to the world publicly. They are also heros of mine.
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reefine 24 points 17 days ago[-]
keep Reddit in the loop! I'd love to hear the founders and employees involved in the harassment either see massive fines and/or prison time
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jakeshxc 20 points 17 days ago[-]
I have always had aspirations of going into law and politics. Twenty years from now, when I'm in my super position of power I and anyone else willing to join, will bring this shit down...and fucking hard. I will legally fuck the shit out of anyone who has ever supported an evil practice like this, just so no one will have to feel like you again. You are a hero to me, remember that. Oh and when im done, ill buy the land and make it into the most sickass eden for any that have had to deal with this.
Even if you dont believe it, remember, remember this post and as a simple, human to human, true, heartfelt promise...I will make it happen.
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Scandibilly 16 points 17 days ago[-]
I feel your pain -- I was subjected to something very similar.
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Gzasmyhero 23 points 17 days ago[-]
The problem is that Elan is not alone, there are many places like this across our country and the world. But I was in Elan and I would like to see the place held accountable for its actions, once I bring down Elan I hope to help others bring down the other "establishments".
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ddunnpsyd 17 points 17 days ago[-]
As a professional who works with troubled adolescents this greatly saddens me. Things like this need to be reported to governing agencies. Departments should take issues of abuse and neglect very seriously.
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FancyMac 17 points 17 days ago[-]
I am no law student but I feel like you could get a pretty solid case going based on the fact of destroying others mail.. felony charges right there. Not sure what sort of waiver you signed for this but I don't think they can take that right away from you regardless. Beyond that it just sounds like inhuman torture.
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Gzasmyhero 17 points 17 days ago[-]
you are totally right. which is ironic, because tampering with our mail seems to be one of the only real laws that they broke that we could actually make stick.
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bonjoe 14 points 17 days ago[-]
Sounds like a job for 4chan.
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TylerPaul 17 points 16 days ago* [-]
http://dev.elanschool.com/node/213#comment-472
Here's a list of recommended locations to eat, sleep, etc. Perhaps posters could be hung to spread awareness.
sebagolakelodge.com
wolfcoveinn.com
portlandclarion.com
eastlandparkhotel.com
portlandhamptoninn.com
portlandholidayinn.com
theregency.com
innbythebay.com
Dimillos.com
orientaltable.com
fujimaine.com
grdimillos.com
macsgrill.com
web.me.com/codychops/JPS_Portland/JPs_Portland.html
http://dev.elanschool.com/node/ 213 #comment-472
by changing the number in bold you can jump through pages. There were several planned meetings at local restaurants for the parents of elan members. Perhaps that's another way to spread awareness.
edit: The meetup invitations all seem rather old. July 14th, 2008 Chef Yu
edit2: http://dev.elanschool.com/node/180#comment-472
Hi Everyone, I was just told by my son tonight that Clare told him today she will be putting him on the driveway and told to leave on Friday. Please be aware, they will turn on a dime on you and do the same to your child. Elan has turned out to be a very scary place indeed. Especially if your child is special ed coded and placed there by your school district. They have no regard for any of the special education laws or procedural safeguards that are in place. The State of Maine Dept of Ed Due Process office has told me that Elan IS subject to the procedural safeguards afforded to parents and students which preserves their rights when a school does not follow IDEA 2004. Thanks for listening!!!!
edit3: http://dev.elanschool.com/node/179#comment-472
It becomes very interesting when your child is called a quitter for 8 months and then the name-callers become the quitters themselves. Quite sad. All they are doing is rewarding his behavior, reinforcing his dysfunctional behavior and giving in. Tragic that the circle is not broken but continues...
edit4: http://dev.elanschool.com/node/148#comment-472
Hi - My son Drew has been at Elan for about 6 weeks. We are still in the Guilt letter process. The first letter we received did not tell us anything that we didn't know. Has anyone else experienced such a long drawn out process? Also, how do you all feel about communication with the school? What can I expect? I am really anxious to hear more about how he is doing. When do phone calls start? Thanks, Bonnie S
edit5:http://dev.elanschool.com/node/104#comment-472
Once a graduation date is established does the student continue to hold a position within the house? How are they able to test their learned life skills in the real world?
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infinitysnake 14 points 17 days ago* [-]
I believe you. I once helped my brother (many years ago) hide a friend who had escaped on the way to this place (his parents caught him with pot). They figured out where he was and kidnapped him off a public street.
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Gzasmyhero 12 points 17 days ago[-]
Yes, most of the children are brought there through similar kidnappings. My door was kicked down at 3am and two burly men through me in an unmarked black van. I heard other stories from residents who were picked up in public as well.
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Lynnier 17 points 17 days ago[-]
I think the best way to bring down a place like this would be to do an undercover expose by going in with secret cameras or smuggling spy cameras to current students. Just look at what that youtube video did to ACORN!
Get irrefutable evidence; make it public.
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Gzasmyhero 15 points 17 days ago[-]
Gotta go for a bit, thank you all again, for everything. Except the naysayers, fuck those assholes. If you can't say something nice or productive or you are too lazy to research whether these claims are true: then just move on, you don't gotta down-vote or make ignorant comments which reflect your tiny state of awareness.
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Gzasmyhero 10 points 17 days ago[-]
I love the rest of you, I really mean that
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skycut 24 points 17 days ago* [-]
That is absolutely horrible, I'm really sorry to hear that you had to go through that.
An old childhood friend got in touch with me recently and when I asked where she had been all these years since she suddenly disappeared after 8th grade, she described almost exactly what you have here. The main difference was that it was somewhere in Somoa. Her rich, attorney father had sent her away to this place which pitched itself as a special school to help get her back on track academically, located near a pristine beach in a beautiful country. He was paying something like $100,000 a year and she was there for something like 5 years.
She told me that they repeatedly beat the shit out of kids for now reason, deliberately withheld food for days at a time, kept them in "isolation boxes" which were too small for someone to stand in and too narrow to lie down for up to 2 days. There was absolutely no schoolwork being done, it was essentially a prison camp that rich parents paid handsomely to send their undesirable kids to.
She told me one time that a kid completely lost it and made a run for the barbed wire perimeter fences. He was caught, beaten unconscious, and dragged away. She said that they never saw the kid again. She had a few other stories but they're all pretty much in the same vein as what you described; horrible stuff.
She said that the school had apparently been exposed and subsequently shut down a few years ago.
EDIT: Holy shit, I think this was the program she was talking about: (http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=22096)
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stonedslacker 21 points 17 days ago[-]
The best way to get Elan shut down would be to write a screenplay and have David Fincher or a similar high profile director make a movie on it. I say Fincher because he likes this type of real life stuff and if he could make the life of Mark Zuckerberg into a Hollywood thriller, imagine what he would do with this material. Remember people watching "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" and their disgust towards Nurse Ratched - except this time it's children not adults - and when the movie ends there will be captions saying that it was based on a true incident and this place still exists. Can you imagine the reaction of millions of people, of whom hundreds will take up this cause seriously.
If the movie is well made - and I imagine there should be plenty of interesting material to be obtained from former students - it will be a blockbuster, Oscar bait and lead to eventual shutting down of the school.
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john2496 15 points 17 days ago[-]
There was a documentary on these kids being sent to these private schools/prisons (many w/o a court order, it was used by some parents as an expensive daycare for out-of-control(naturally-rebelling) teens). Parents were sending their kids to these prisons (they're private businesses that are build-and-run like prisons, with little government regulation (it seems that way atleast)). Its surprising that this wasn't in the public sphere :/.
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llamagoelz 10 points 17 days ago[-]
find the name of that documentary. im organizing a resistance and i think 4chan might like to pirate this movie into oblivion
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johnji 13 points 17 days ago[-]
Sounds similar to the Luzerne County, PA story from last year, where two judges were taking kick-backs to send juveniles to a corporate run detention centre, for minor "crimes" like mocking a principal on MySpace: Pennsylvania rocked by 'jailing kids for cash' scandal
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Collaterlie_Sisters 14 points 17 days ago[-]
I think we need to mess with the Google rankings, link and visit all the pages that suggest that Elan School is a disgusting example of abuse so that they appear on most of the keyword searches.
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supersede 20 points 17 days ago[-]
time for a cooperative change to wikipedia.
reddit, help me make this correct.
it is fair for us to modify this article and say there are persistent allegations of abuse and link to multiple articles with proper citations.
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supersede 20 points 17 days ago[-]
is this a better description?
Élan School is a private, coeducational, controversial residential behavior modification program and therapeutic boarding school (beginning with 8th grade and extending beyond high school completion) in Poland, Androscoggin County, Maine. As of 2010, the school reported enrollment of 150 students.[1] The school is located on a 33-acre (13 ha) campus[2] that was formerly a hunting lodge.[3] The school acquired some notoriety during the 1990s and early 2000s when former classmates of Michael Skakel, who had attended Élan in the 1970s, testified against him in his trial for an unsolved murder that had occurred about two years before he enrolled at Élan.[4] The school has also undergone persistant allegations of abuse in th