Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform > World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS)

Teen Mentor (Costa Rica) shut down by authorities

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thomasC:
Given WWASPS history, and the fact that both the parent on the original Tico Times article and the WWASPS troll on the updated version refer to the psychologists who reported the program to authorities as "disgruntled", it would not be surprising if the owners have sent out a memo to all parents with all the usual excuses about abusive authorities and so on.  If we come into contact with any parents we should ask them for this letter.

Ursus:

--- Quote from: "Nun Yazbiz" ---All students signed agreements that they chose to be at mentor teen (no mention)
--- End quote ---
Ya know... I couldn't find it in that most recent article by Adam Williams, but here is other reportage on those signed agreements, emphases added:


* From the translation "PANI closes youth academy students for alleged abuse" ("PANI cierra academia juvenil por supuestos maltratos a alumnos," by Karen Medina, Ferlin Fuentes and Jorge Umaña, 21/03/2011, La NACIÓN):

...PANI Technical Manager explained that the boys were interviewed by staff of that institution.

The official said the children reported that last Thursday were forced to sign a document in which all observe that they were at the site of their own volition.

According to the boys, if they did not sign were sent to an isolation room where they should stay eight days.[/size][/li][/list]

* From Lon Woodbury's 'Breaking News' article, "Teen Mentor Academy In Costa Rica Closed By Authorities" (March 24, 2011):

PANI Technical Manager explained that staff of that institution had interviewed the boys. The official said the children reported last Thursday they were forced to sign a document that stated they were at the site of their own volition. According to the boys, if they had not signed the document they would have been sent to an isolation room where they would have been kept eight days.[/size][/li][/list]

=> This is especially evocative of the same kind of threats doled out to students in the aftermath of Prosecutor Vargas' visit to Dundee Ranch in 2003. Students who refused to sign that form, which was also intended to indicate that they were there of their own volition, were harshly punished.

From an article by Mark Johnson, "Academy's grip lingers as son, family transform" (Nov. 8, 2004; Milwaukee Journal Sentinel), emphasis added:

On the morning after the riot, Dundee staff gathered students in small groups and asked them to sign a form saying that they had been treated well and not abused.

"I thought it was an outrageous request for the staff to make of the kids," said Bezuidenhout, who supported Dundee Ranch in other respects.

Joel read the form and handed it back.

"I won't sign it," he said.

Joel and other students who refused to sign the form were placed inside the "high impact" facility, the walled compound Joel had helped to build. Academy staff stood guard at the entrance preventing the students from leaving. When Joel tried to walk out, one of the guards cracked a wooden board across his legs.[/list][/size]

Sam Kinison:
http://www.ticotimes.net/Opinion/Tough- ... Tough-Luck

Most recent editorial in the most read English speaking publication down here.The wheels are turning.I stand corrected thinking that they closed down after N.Lichfield indictment,they opened Pillars of Hope in order to abuse kids in a subtler,sneakier way.Narvin Lichfield has rights down here too.This Teen Mentor shutdown was a sign to all the pickings may be riper in another field."Low Impact"--LOL
Some twisted people out there!

Ursus:
Comments left for the above article, "Child Welfare Office closes yet another teen reform center" (by Adam Williams; March 25, 2011; Tico Times):


Nun Yazbiz · Friday March 25 2011
Wow interesting but inaccurate report including:

"Bob" Lichfield had nothing to do with the ownership, operation or etc of this business.

Students had two individual therapeutic sessions weekly and several adolescent group sessions weekly. Hence the need for the Psychologists who later became disgruntled and stole equipment including expensive phones and computers. The psychologists Ricardo Wlaker, Karen Carprio and Soledad Giacobbe. While the therapy may not have been effective due to the incompetence of these therapists it is an uncontested fact that it took place.

Please list in detail the "Physical, Psychological abuse and verbal mistreatment. Include who, where, when and etc. Please note that it is an uncontested fact that Ricardo Walker was the clinical director of the facility and oversaw the food service, employee training, and discipline measures of the facility.

There were students from 13-18 years old

All students signed agreements that they chose to be at mentor teen (no mention)

Several reports by the students the psychologist and Pani "brainwashing the students". And making it very difficult for their return home. Several flights were outright missed by their mismanagement.

Several students told Pani and other officials they would like to continue the program

Mentor had a very effective recreational program including trips to Manuel Antonio, weekly movies, zip lines, crocodile tours, sea turtle releases, surfing, trips to the mall, and several trips to Jaco city and beach.

The government entered the facility with around 60 people illegally without a court order. When told such, they pretty much strong armed their way in and left absolutely zero due process.

Allegations are easy to make print and say yet where is the evidence?

To think that dozens of Costa Rica citizens would be involved in mistreatment of students is an insult to the hard working people that took great care of the students at the facility.Nun Yazbiz · Sunday March 27 2011
Post appears to have been deleted. -Urs[/list]
Patrick Hewes · Monday March 28 2011
This make no sense, why PANI would "brainwash" the students?
Due process? Is this familiar?

http://www.wturley.com/Recent-Filings/2 ... SHEETS.pdf[/list]
Patrick Hewes · Monday March 28 2011
http://www.helpyourteens.com/news/press ... giant.html[/list]
Patrick Hewes · Monday March 28 2011
http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/cr ... .insession

and this is how they operates...[/list]
Alan Jeffs · Tuesday March 29 2011
Patrick you seem to have all of the answers you should start up your own program to help teens that are struggling in their home, school or community.

# # #

Ursus:
Man. Narvin Lichfield's got it coming from all sides now.  :D

GREENWOOD — Narvin Lichfield won't be prosecuted in connection with about $2,000 worth of bad checks written on the closed account of his former boarding school for troubled teens.

After being arrested Jan. 28 for driving with a suspended license near the now-closed Carolina Springs Academy in Abbeville County, Lichfield was served with three courtesy summons related to bad checks that were passed at Frugals ABC liquor store in Greenwood...

Continue reading...[/list]

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