http://youtu.be/m2qjFT9PimgThis is a comment received today on my Elan School video.
Although the school is closed many former residents still struggle for Justice.
Roy Gutfinski
"I retired in 2013 after over 34 years as a Probation and Parole Officer for the State of Maine. Since I am now a "free man" and can speak the truth, I will make a few comments about Elan. During my first five years as a PPO, I supervised juveniles as well as adults and I worked with a few young people who were "students" at Elan. I found the Elan administration provided very little communication concerning any of my clients at that facility. One time I wanted to visit a boy on my caseload who was at Elan and was told they needed time to "prepare" for my visit. After a couple of years on the job I had learned of several incidents of abuse at Elan against my clients and others. When I went to my supervisor to report the abuse, I was told that Elan was a "sacred cow" and that officials in my department (Mental Health and Corrections) as well as Human Services and Education were "in tight" with Joe Ricci and the Elan School and that if I reported a problem with Elan I would become the problem. I was told by one official in my department that anyone causing problems to Elan could "disappear like Jimmy Hoffa." After "mandated reporting" of child abuse became law in Maine, there were several incidents of abuse at Elan reported to Child Protective (Department of Human Services) but they were "buried" and never given the proper investigation and follow up due to Mr. Ricci's political connections in Augusta. Frankly, I am relieved that Elan has finally closed its doors and that more and more former Elan residents are having the courage to come forward. Although Joe Ricci himself passed away in 2001, there are other former Elan administrators still around. Bill Diamond, Maine state legislator, was Elan's "Director of Government Relations" and was instrumental in defending Elan from scrutiny. Mr. Diamond claims today to be an advocate for abused children but his former association with Elan makes one wonder."
