Fornits
Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform => Straight, Inc. and Derivatives => Topic started by: richmullinax on January 01, 2009, 03:48:10 AM
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This post is in response to the Straight, Inc. Survivor's Letter Requesting Acknowledgement and an Apology.
My name is Richard Mullinax. From 1985 - 1989, I was a staff member at Straight Incorporated, a drug and alcohol treatment facility for adolescents. If my memory serves me correctly, the dates, locations and positions of my employment were as follows:
Fall 1985 - Group Staff Trainee, Springfield, VA
Fall 1985 - Spring 1986 - Junior Staff, Springfield, VA
Spring 1986 - Winter 1987 - Senior Staff, Springfield, VA
Winter 1987 - Spring 1987 - Executive Staff, Springfield, VA
Spring 1987 - Fall 1987 - Executive Staff, Cincinnati, OH
Fall 1987 - Spring 1988 - Executive Staff, Springfield, VA
Spring 1988 - Spring 1989 - Executive Staff, Atlanta, GA
There were brief periods between 1985 and 1989 that I was not employed by Straight, and I may have some of the months wrong above.
For 19 years, I gave very little thought to my actions as a staff member of Straight. Then, in the Spring and Summer of 2008, I began to interact with Straight Survivors and listened to their experiences. As the weeks and months progressed, I became increasingly aware of the damage I caused to Straight Survivors as a staff member. After much reflection on the events of the 1980's I have become very much aware that many Straight Survivors lost their integrity, innocence, sense of self worth, youth, ability to trust others, family relationships and more as a result of my actions as a staff member, and I deeply regret that I am responsible for this as a Staff Member.
I realize now that many Survivors still suffer from diagnosed psychological disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder, severe depression, social phobias, panic disorders, etc. caused by imprisonment in Straight, Inc, and that many Survivors still endure vivid Straight, Inc. nightmares, can still hear the screams of children as they were abused, and cannot forget the abuse they personally endured or witnessed as vulnerable children. I am deeply ashamed of my role in this, including not putting a stop to it.
By publishing this this letter in a public forum, I publicly acknowledge that Straight, Inc. unjustly committed various crimes, abused children, and utilized extremely unethical practices against innocent young clients, which included, but were not limited to the following:
1) Brainwashing (aka coercive thought reform);
2) Physical abuse;
3) Usage of illegal and or unethical restraints – children routinely restrained children at the direction of staff for minor infractions (i.e. not motivating, not paying attention, etc.);
4) Unethical forms of extreme humiliation, including but not limited to; beltlooping, no privacy/watched while urinating, defecating, or bathing, motivating;
5) Food deprivation (ie. peanut butter diets, inadequate portions of food);
6) Sleep deprivation – caused by unwarranted, prolonged daily group hours (12), other time spent in the building (up to at least 3 additional pre and/or post group hours), lengthy commuting time, and in many cases, due to intentionally withholding sleep as punishment for not “cooperating” to coerce compliance;
7) Verbal abuse – unduly harsh confrontational tactics that included swearing, screaming, yelling, spitting, belittling, humiliating, etc., a child in front of a large group of child clients;
8 Sexual abuse; (while I was not aware of this while on staff, in recent months I have become aware, through the testimony of other Straight survivors, that this did happen)
9) Psychological abuse;
10) Coerced confessions;
11) Unjustifiable and lengthy isolation in intake and/or time out rooms;
12) Denial of necessary medical care;
13) Kidnapping;
14) False Imprisonment;
15) Accepting clients with little/no drug history (the so-called “dry druggie” theory); (Specifically, I was personally responsible for conducting client intakes that resulted in children with little history of drug or alcohol use);
16) Employing uneducated, unprofessional teenage staff. Specifically, I allowed myself to be employed by Straight as a counselor, knowing full well that I had no outside training and no education.
Additionally, I apologize for the allowing the abuse, unethical practices and crimes to continue for years, and lending my name to, sponsoring, recommending, and endorsing Straight Inc., and for admitting children, their siblings and parents to Straight Inc., and for failing to properly and adequately oversee and monitor Straight, Inc.
I regret my decision to go on staff and I regret my actions as a Straight staff member. I made the decision to go on staff and I made the decision to advance to Executive Staff. I am responsible for these actions and take full responsibility. As a former Straight client myself, I, of all people, should have known better.
I am aware of several former Straight clients who have taken their own lives. Many of these people I knew personally. I can't begin to understand the circumstances of each death, but I have no doubt that in some of these deaths Straight had a role in this. My heart aches for the victims of suicide and their loved ones. I wish I could bring them back.
I would like to turn the clock back to 1985 and make better decisions. However, I am unable to undo the damage I have caused. I am unable to make any financial restitution to former victims, as well. However, in recent months, I have had the honor and privilege of interacting with former Straight clients who were victims of my actions and the actions of other Straight staff. It is my hope that these interactions have been a step toward healing the wounds that have remained for 2 decades.
Along those lines, there is something I can do; I can make myself available to Straight Survivors. If you or someone you know feels it would be productive to communicate privately with me for any reason, please contact me at [email protected] (http://mailto:[email protected])
In closing, it is my sincere hope that survivors of Straight can find the healing and closure that they need and deserve. I look forward to being a part of that healing.
Sincerely,
Richard Mullinax
Straight Inc. Staff
1985 - 1989
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This is a valuable post.
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That's about the most beautiful post I've ever seen. Thank you, Richard! :rose:
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wdtony, you jealous? :roflmao:
as far as that apology, it must have taken some time and careful consideration to humiliate oneself in public like this. I got out before he was on staff, but it sounds sincere enough. Maybe we could make it part of the petition?
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Richard,
Thank you for your detailed and compelling post to this forum. Living with all that in your head for decades does nothing but eat you alive from the inside out. It is amazing how the passage of time can enable us to see things more clearly. I applaud the fact that you had the guts to come on this forum and make that remarkable post.
We need more people like you - one that has first hand experience on the staff side - on these forums that were lovingly created by Antigen and maintained by Psy. Beware that these are mostly un-moderated forums and they can be brutal.
Welcome.
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@Rich. There might still be something you can do to help. Even though Straight (under that name) is closed, it's program methadology lives on in it's progeny, such as Pathway Family Center (http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OfCXLdOAwk) (see them motivate and more in that video). A mother of a pathway family center kid has recently come forward asking for help. Perhaps there is some way you can help with your first hand knowledge of how straight based programs are run... perhaps, as Antigen suggested, by speaking to the local authorities. Read ISACcorp's press release here:
viewtopic.php?f=49&t=26483 (http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=26483)
Also, another video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyK3XlsWIEQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyK3XlsWIEQ)
You are in a unique position in that you were once in an executive position. This gives you a world of credibility from the get-go as opposed to former "patients" who are seen by many (even often by family) to this day as "druggies", whether or not they even use substances at all.
Regardless of what you decide, thank you for coming forward and apologizing. I'm sure your words mean far more than you might realize to many of the Straight survivors here.
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Mmm...that does a bear's heart good. Makes for a very nice start to the New Year. Thanks for having the guts and the heart to post that, Richard!
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Thanks, Miss Antsy,
No worries about the un-moderated aspect of the forum. I've been on Alumni long enough to handle any shit thrown my way. I'm not easily offended and can overlook psychos. After all, I was in Straight! ;)
Richard,
Thank you for your detailed and compelling post to this forum. Living with all that in your head for decades does nothing but eat you alive from the inside out. It is amazing how the passage of time can enable us to see things more clearly. I applaud the fact that you had the guts to come on this forum and make that remarkable post.
We need more people like you - one that has first hand experience on the staff side - on these forums that were lovingly created by Antigen and maintained by Psy. Beware that these are mostly un-moderated forums and they can be brutal.
Welcome.
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Thanks Antigen, it was a long time coming. I think it's the first response to the petition, but my hope is that it won't be the last.
RM
That's about the most beautiful post I've ever seen. Thank you, Richard! :rose:
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Hey, Roids, ... yes, I really should have responded to the petition sooner. This post is really just a copy of what I sent to Kris as a response to the petition. In the next ound of sending the petition, she will be including this response. My hope s that some of the recipients will see it and do a double take ... "Hey, I know that guy!"
wdtony, you jealous? :roflmao:
as far as that apology, it must have taken some time and careful consideration to humiliate oneself in public like this. I got out before he was on staff, but it sounds sincere enough. Maybe we could make it part of the petition?
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Hey, Psy, thanks for your comments. Yes, I am fully aware of the other programs in existence. I hope I can be of service in helping expose them. I know Bill Earnshaw (was on front row with him) and we communicate often. I am happy to consider doing anything he asks, and have written quite a bit on the history of Straight in hopes that the comparisons can be clear. I believe he has been able to use them.
My only concern is that as a person who was on staff from 85 - 89, there are ALOT of people who have never had an opportunity to confront a staff member one on one about their time in Straight. Most of my energies are spent engaging in these one on one discussions, either answering their general questions about how the program worked, or, more importantly, helping people process what I did TO THEM as a staff member. This is pretty draining and I am way behind on reconnects as it is.
So if it feels like I'm non-responsive to aiding in shutting down KHK or PFC or anywhere else, I hope everyone understands that it's because I feel called to a very specific function; helping those heal who are the walking wounded. Does that make sense? I can always answer questions, write down what I know, etc..., but as far as really jumping on board, well, I have a mission, and I can't serve 2 masters. I am always willing to speak out and speak the truth, but I have never had the time to attend demonstrations and other events, mostly because it's pretty exhausting getting that call from the 13 year old kid who I admitted into the program and trying to help him heal, and taking whatever the hell he needs to unload on me. Hope that doesn't sound aloof. - Peace
@Rich. There might still be something you can do to help. Even though Straight (under that name) is closed, it's program methadology lives on in it's progeny, such as Pathway Family Center (http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OfCXLdOAwk) (see them motivate and more in that video). A mother of a pathway family center kid has recently come forward asking for help. Perhaps there is some way you can help with your first hand knowledge of how straight based programs are run... perhaps, as Antigen suggested, by speaking to the local authorities. Read ISACcorp's press release here:
viewtopic.php?f=49&t=26483 (http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=26483)
Also, another video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyK3XlsWIEQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyK3XlsWIEQ)
You are in a unique position in that you were once in an executive position. This gives you a world of credibility from the get-go as opposed to former "patients" who are seen by many (even often by family) to this day as "druggies", whether or not they even use substances at all.
Regardless of what you decide, thank you for coming forward and apologizing. I'm sure your words mean far more than you might realize to many of the Straight survivors here.
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OK, still new to Fornits, still learning the etiquette, but I'm going to cross post here. I don't think the person I am responding to would mind, but just to be safe, I will leave the name off. Basically, someone said, thanks for the apology, but you weren't the real problem. Here's my response:
"Thanks, XXX, I appreciate your sentiments. And I agree that to a degree, that I was also a victim, having been duped into thinking I was doing the right thing. But the day I turned a corner and went on executive staff, I became responsible. Anyone with a conscience must take responsibility, no matter what the circumstances. There are kids from Cincinnati and Atlanta who were victims, and who I brought into the program by doing their intake. So as far as that goes, age and experience aside, I did it and it I need to tell the truth.
At first I was not going to offer a written apology, mostly because I thought the other executive staff members would certainly be doing that. But then I thought differently after speaking to kids who were effected by me. I've had recent (since coming on this board) interactions with kids who I had a negative effect on. These interactions actually allowed them to move on and heal in a way they had not thought possible. So regardless of how much blame I may or may not have, and regardless of whether Newton or Sembler would ever listen to this logic, I am responding to this petition for the purpose of allowing others to heal.
Even if those higher ups don't ever respond, there are dozens of executive staff and directors who receive this petition periodically, every time the signatures increase to a certain level. In talking to Kris yesterday who originated the petition, I was appalled to realize no one, NOT ONE of these people even responded to the petition. I know (or at least knew) alot of these people. When the next petition is mailed, it will include my response. When people like Suzanne Byrd and Will Knisley and Mel Riddle have received it in the past, they may have dismissed it as a bunch of bitter loons who need to get a life. They don't remember names of phasers or even group staff. But the next time they receive it, it will have my response on it, right there in their face. And they can't dismiss me, goddamnit. They fucking know me. I worked side by side with them. They hired me, trained me, respected me. If I call and say "Hey, remember me? We need to talk," they will fucking take this call and I can sit their asses down and at least make a case. Out of all those people, SOMEONE will come to where I have come in the last 9 months. If even one former director has enough self honesty to see and recognize the truth, then perhaps they, too, can issue an apology, and that would go a long way in helping people to heal.
I believe survivors need justice, restitution and to be made whole. But I don't see that happening as a result of a petition. The current Straights need to be closed, and I want to see that happen, but I don't see an apology from these people making that happen.
People need closure, healing and acknowledgement. THAT ... THAT is what I am about. Making amends, acknowledging my wrongs, and helping the walking wounded to heal. Maybe a phaser who made it to executive staff can't really do much along those lines by myself, but maybe the other staff will see what am saying, and say, "Shit; I know Rich, and maybe he is a freak, but he's not CRAZY. Maybe there's something to this shit. Maybe these people on these message boards AREN'T a bunch of bitter babies, after all. Maybe it WAS harmful, and maybe I DO have some responsibility here."
This petition never asks for justice; it never asks for financial restitution. All it is asking for is acknowledgement and validation. That's not too much to ask and there's very little risk here. So if you were executive staff, and you're reading this, wake up. These people aren't crazy. When there are 50 people gathered together at a picnic, and it's raining, and 45 of them say it's raining, guess what? It's fucking raining.
This concludes today's sermon. Next week, the effects of changing cat litter and cat fod at the same time, and the sanitary ramifications.
Rich Mullinax
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Wow - this is one hell of a start to 2009.
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Hey, not to be argumentative or anything, but just in case any execs, sponsors or other big wheels are reading... yes, we are, many and maybe most of us, bug all fucking nuts! But that doesn't mean we're wrong.
I'm probably among the craziest around here. I didn't used to think so but recent events in my life have caused me to reevaluate my take on that question. I'm all for personal healing. On rare occasion I even try to engage in that sort of activity myself. But my main objective in all of my activism is to "raise a hew and cry (http://http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-hue1.htm)".
Look, I was raised in the Program. I know some of what it has done to me. I'm not belly aching or asking for sympathy. I'm honestly thankful that things weren't worse. Shit, I see people every damned day who's lives and tragedies make me feel lucky to have been dealt the hand I was BUT what kind of hell world will we be living in if this and the next and the next generation of kids are similarly, systematically fucked up? God! I'm not exaggerating when I say I have waken up screaming before from just that nightmare; my kids as my newcomers.
So please, if you are an educator (Dr. Riddel? et al?) or a cop or... shit, whatever you're doing with yourself right now, please take a look around your community and your realm of influence. Does your school system have 'alternative' high schools that use coercive BM or TC/LGAT style treatment? How about 'Character' training that equates blind obedience and conformity with their logical opposite--character in your schools, police force and other public institutions? How many people and how much money do the courts in your area consign to MADD, DARE and other Stepcraft fronts?
For years, I just accepted what all my friends and loved ones told me; that I was just paranoid and the world wasn't really turning into the Program. Sometimes I wish I could unsee what I've seen. I liked it better when the world was more or less ok and only I was a little noided. But that boat has sailed without me so I either need to finish the task of drinking myself silly or get a significant number of others around me to see the impending tragedy. Maybe both.
This concludes today's sermon. Next week, the effects of changing cat litter and cat fod at the same time, and the sanitary ramifications.
:roflmao: Now there's something a lot of us could use.
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Well sir you should call Wesley Fager and his family on the phone and offer your appology to them because their son is so messed up from what you and your organization did he will never be home again. Richard Bradbury Tampa Florida
PS Remember the home right down the street from "Straight" where they did some nasty shit to those boys?
Did you sir direct that?
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Sir were you on Fager', or Straight's witness list for his son's lawsuit against Straight?
If not, why did you not come forward?
If so, what was your statements to the court?
Or did you clam up?
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Sir were you on Fager', or Straight's witness list for his son's lawsuit against Straight?
If not, why did you not come forward?
If so, what was your statements to the court?
Or did you clam up?
Here we go again.
Someone actually has the nadds to post here about their involnment in st8 and there are those who will attack, no matter what this person has to say.
Can we please go forward from here? Or is that too much to ask?
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Here we go again.
Someone actually has the nadds to post here about their involnment in st8 and there are those who will attack, no matter what this person has to say.
Can we please go forward from here? Or is that too much to ask?
On an unmoderated forum, this sort of thing is inevitable. *shrugs*. I'm not sure what can be done other than to try and address the resentment, if possible.
:peace:
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You are most eloquent in your apology; here, there is no doubt. You are most skilful in your avoidance of the word, wrong, as used in a sentence…I was wrong. It was used once…concerning dates employed, or rather said “On Staff”.
For 19 years you gave “little thought to my actions as a staff member of Straight.” And I as I take it, this began after your stint, time on your phases…ya know…incarcerated, against your will, oh and not to mention the 16 forms of Mind Rape you were also exposed to and…endured. So, I guess what I am saying is that there is no wonder in my mind why you had “little thought to my actions as a staff member of Straight.”
I struggle with your words. I have considered your words from the first time I read them. I suspect I have put as much consideration into the words as you did when they came from your fingertips. I have looked at the words from varying angles. From extreme distrust, inspecting motives and motivations that factor in your decision to articulate these words. Looking at the words and what they say on so many levels…amazing.
And yet I am in a conundrum. Take the words at face value (as they seem genuine, from the heart) or entertain a familiar contempt I have for the upper echelons of Straight Inc.’s operation central…from the time one is led out to the group and placed in the “chain of command” on upwards. As one climbed upward into the ranks of staff essentially got closer and closer to the evil.
You may have been “Executive Staff” at various locations, tending to what duties you had in day-to-day operations. Yet, you were a minion to a greater evil. Am I to be surprised you are the only one to come forward and apologize? The evil still exists and yet you broke free of the fear of that evil. I do not doubt that others, like yourself wish to come forward and do as you have done. They, I think have not out of fear. Not of us, the survivors, but the evil that pulled their strings, not unlike puppeteers.
For myself it is standard operating procedure to distrust any staff from the start. But this is not a start. I have already locked horns with you I believe, and you have continued to hit the boards. Your stories have remained consistent, your intent consistent and a sense of respect you show for those who suffer appears unwavering.
The cause or the genesis of my scrutiny comes from Straight Inc. It is what I was taught and trained to do. I am wrong to behave or communicate that way. I am responsible for my actions now, especially in regards to the “now” looking at the “then”. I genuinely do not like that I have had to re-train myself in that regard. But I have found it more and more necessary to develop some sense of forgiveness.
A staple in Buddhist Teaching (since ya already got a Christian perspective) is the concentration on Cause and Effect. Find that, establish that, make sure of that. Switch concentration to Forgiveness and ultimately switch concentration to Compassion.
I have found it easier to release a lot with individuals or in regard to individuals, but as an institution, not so much. Your words are my first words from an “Executive Staff” in the form of an apology. I hadn’t expected that. Considering that just a few days ago I posted a thread “On Forgiveness”. In the thread I ran a poll and of the five that participated only one indicated they would forgive with a written apology. Never the less I am convinced that is the direction I should go. I find that you have given much for me to consider, examine and reflect upon. This thread is of immense value, unspeakable value. Yes, for myself (even though it seems to have opened a can of worms, but at least not Pandora’s box) and for many others. I think in the long run your L.O.A will be refered to many many times. Un-countable people may read your words, after the shock, they may ultimately find healing. I think your LOA need be printed on every website devoted to Straight Inc. Survivors. Because I am assimilating information on Straight Inc. to take to a Tibetan monk, I plan to print your LOA out and include it in my package.
I was in Straight Inc, long before you probably smoked your first joint. I do not know you, and so on an individual level you never harmed me. However, three of my cousins may have been in the Atlanta Building under your “care”. One of the three was started over on 5th phase, as a college student he was invited to a keg party, which he did not attend, but because it was found out and because he didn’t admit it first to the group…blam…day one. Might you have been instrumental in this swift justice? Was that just a money grubbing opportunity? Insurance fraud? Or was it so goddamned important to admit to the group he declined an invitation to a kegger that not doing so deserved a start over?
Because of Straight Inc. our ties were severed for almost 30 years. One denied, at least momentarily, he had Straight Issues. That lasted for about 5 minutes, he spewed his guts to my better half and me for 90 minutes easy (we were on the road, I was driving). The other at least on the surface still spouts Straight Jargon and I haven’t been able to sit with the third in privacy yet. So I could only guess at their reaction.
I admire you for honesty and guts to put your conscious to words. I suspect you will loose favour of many of your past co-workers. Hope ya got all favours needed tended to before your LOA was released. It could very well be the straw that breaks the camels back. Up until now we were perceived as disgruntled folk with an axe to grind, written off as crazy as they probably deserved it.
Now, one of their minions has effectively blown the whistle. It will be interesting to see what unfolds as a result.
In all sincerity, I wish you much Healing
Om Shanti
In Peace
woof
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Thanks Rich. I remember you. I sent you an e-mail.
I remember when you copped out to VT and you were gone for a while before they brought you back. Peace.
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sounds 2 good to be true
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Thanks for your post. I think it took guts to do what you just did. I hope you can supply Wes with whatever information you have on them pricks so we can all contiunue to put this shit behind us one day at a time.
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I haven't seen it come through yet ... [email protected]
Thanks Rich. I remember you. I sent you an e-mail.
I remember when you copped out to VT and you were gone for a while before they brought you back. Peace.
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Sir were you on Fager', or Straight's witness list for his son's lawsuit against Straight?
If not, why did you not come forward?
If so, what was your statements to the court?
Or did you clam up?
Here we go again.
Someone actually has the nadds to post here about their involnment in st8 and there are those who will attack, no matter what this person has to say.
Can we please go forward from here? Or is that too much to ask?
It doesn't always go like that. Even in the realm of normal fuckups, sometimes you apologize and that's enough for the person to whom you're apologizing. Other times it's not. Like "Oh gee, I'm sorry, I stepped on your toe." is probably enough unless you did it on purpose in golf cleats, broke the toe, ruined an expensive pair of shoes, caused the dude to trip and not get out of the way of an oncoming bus, etc. Just let it roll, man.
Rich M seems to be up for this, ready to deal with whatever comes back. But he may not check the forum very often (as stated in the op) so you might want to email him, Rich.
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Now here is a conumdrum; do I choose to believe that this is actually Richard Bradbury posting or do I choose to believe that this is someone other than him posting using his name to add credibilty to the post? How do I choose? How do I discern? Sure, some people may know and some may think they know, but in all actuality I haven't a clue.
I have to use judgement and disregard the post. Until I have some other proof, I cannot take it seriously.
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I don't have a problem with that, Tony. Anybody who knows Rich can ask him. I probably won't cause I don't have a reason to care that much whether it's him or not. Interesting question, though. I wonder where it's going? Wonder what the answer is and especially what the whole Fred Collins story looked like from Rich M's point of view. I know a few people who were tied in in various ways at the time, including having met some of the jabberwocks. Like everything else in that slanted house of mirrors, everybody was treated to a slightly different version of the show. I'd be very interested to read a response, regardless of who's asking.
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I don't have a problem with that, Tony. Anybody who knows Rich can ask him. I probably won't cause I don't have a reason to care that much whether it's him or not. Interesting question, though. I wonder where it's going? Wonder what the answer is and especially what the whole Fred Collins story looked like from Rich M's point of view. I know a few people who were tied in in various ways at the time, including having met some of the jabberwocks. Like everything else in that slanted house of mirrors, everybody was treated to a slightly different version of the show. I'd be very interested to read a response, regardless of who's asking.
I wrote conuMdrum. Now I am using words that don't exist.
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Freudian slip? lol
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Freudian slip? lol
More like my finger slipped.
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:lala: :lala: :lala: :lala:
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Thank you, Rich. I know I've said it about 3 or 4 times now in various venues, but I think it's important that every venue is covered.
I am so thankful that you have come out and written this letter. I hope that it will get passed around to 'others' and this spark will start a fire. It just takes a catalyst....
I can only imagine what you are going through right now with the memory gush, the guilt, and all the rest of what comes of being where we were. I wish you and your family all the best. You know how to get in touch if you need to...Skype.
V.
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:bump:
Just thought this should be bumped to the first page.
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hello richard, would you give me a reply contact email, as i think you might be able to shed some light on questions i have which could help me out.
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This post is in response to the Straight, Inc. Survivor's Letter Requesting Acknowledgement and an Apology.
My name is Richard Mullinax. From 1985 - 1989, I was a staff member at Straight Incorporated, a drug and alcohol treatment facility for adolescents. If my memory serves me correctly, the dates, locations and positions of my employment were as follows:
Fall 1985 - Group Staff Trainee, Springfield, VA
Fall 1985 - Spring 1986 - Junior Staff, Springfield, VA
Spring 1986 - Winter 1987 - Senior Staff, Springfield, VA
Winter 1987 - Spring 1987 - Executive Staff, Springfield, VA
Spring 1987 - Fall 1987 - Executive Staff, Cincinnati, OH
Fall 1987 - Spring 1988 - Executive Staff, Springfield, VA
Spring 1988 - Spring 1989 - Executive Staff, Atlanta, GA
There were brief periods between 1985 and 1989 that I was not employed by Straight, and I may have some of the months wrong above.
For 19 years, I gave very little thought to my actions as a staff member of Straight. Then, in the Spring and Summer of 2008, I began to interact with Straight Survivors and listened to their experiences. As the weeks and months progressed, I became increasingly aware of the damage I caused to Straight Survivors as a staff member. After much reflection on the events of the 1980's I have become very much aware that many Straight Survivors lost their integrity, innocence, sense of self worth, youth, ability to trust others, family relationships and more as a result of my actions as a staff member, and I deeply regret that I am responsible for this as a Staff Member.
I realize now that many Survivors still suffer from diagnosed psychological disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder, severe depression, social phobias, panic disorders, etc. caused by imprisonment in Straight, Inc, and that many Survivors still endure vivid Straight, Inc. nightmares, can still hear the screams of children as they were abused, and cannot forget the abuse they personally endured or witnessed as vulnerable children. I am deeply ashamed of my role in this, including not putting a stop to it.
By publishing this this letter in a public forum, I publicly acknowledge that Straight, Inc. unjustly committed various crimes, abused children, and utilized extremely unethical practices against innocent young clients, which included, but were not limited to the following:
1) Brainwashing (aka coercive thought reform);
2) Physical abuse;
3) Usage of illegal and or unethical restraints – children routinely restrained children at the direction of staff for minor infractions (i.e. not motivating, not paying attention, etc.);
4) Unethical forms of extreme humiliation, including but not limited to; beltlooping, no privacy/watched while urinating, defecating, or bathing, motivating;
5) Food deprivation (ie. peanut butter diets, inadequate portions of food);
6) Sleep deprivation – caused by unwarranted, prolonged daily group hours (12), other time spent in the building (up to at least 3 additional pre and/or post group hours), lengthy commuting time, and in many cases, due to intentionally withholding sleep as punishment for not “cooperating” to coerce compliance;
7) Verbal abuse – unduly harsh confrontational tactics that included swearing, screaming, yelling, spitting, belittling, humiliating, etc., a child in front of a large group of child clients;
8 Sexual abuse; (while I was not aware of this while on staff, in recent months I have become aware, through the testimony of other Straight survivors, that this did happen)
9) Psychological abuse;
10) Coerced confessions;
11) Unjustifiable and lengthy isolation in intake and/or time out rooms;
12) Denial of necessary medical care;
13) Kidnapping;
14) False Imprisonment;
15) Accepting clients with little/no drug history (the so-called “dry druggie” theory); (Specifically, I was personally responsible for conducting client intakes that resulted in children with little history of drug or alcohol use);
16) Employing uneducated, unprofessional teenage staff. Specifically, I allowed myself to be employed by Straight as a counselor, knowing full well that I had no outside training and no education.
Additionally, I apologize for the allowing the abuse, unethical practices and crimes to continue for years, and lending my name to, sponsoring, recommending, and endorsing Straight Inc., and for admitting children, their siblings and parents to Straight Inc., and for failing to properly and adequately oversee and monitor Straight, Inc.
I regret my decision to go on staff and I regret my actions as a Straight staff member. I made the decision to go on staff and I made the decision to advance to Executive Staff. I am responsible for these actions and take full responsibility. As a former Straight client myself, I, of all people, should have known better.
I am aware of several former Straight clients who have taken their own lives. Many of these people I knew personally. I can't begin to understand the circumstances of each death, but I have no doubt that in some of these deaths Straight had a role in this. My heart aches for the victims of suicide and their loved ones. I wish I could bring them back.
I would like to turn the clock back to 1985 and make better decisions. However, I am unable to undo the damage I have caused. I am unable to make any financial restitution to former victims, as well. However, in recent months, I have had the honor and privilege of interacting with former Straight clients who were victims of my actions and the actions of other Straight staff. It is my hope that these interactions have been a step toward healing the wounds that have remained for 2 decades.
Along those lines, there is something I can do; I can make myself available to Straight Survivors. If you or someone you know feels it would be productive to communicate privately with me for any reason, please contact me at [email protected] (http://mailto:[email protected])
In closing, it is my sincere hope that survivors of Straight can find the healing and closure that they need and deserve. I look forward to being a part of that healing.
Sincerely,
Richard Mullinax
Straight Inc. Staff
1985 - 1989
:jawdrop: ::OMG::
... :peace:
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Richard Mullinax,
This is Chris Harper. Do you remember me? I was admitteed to Straight Atlanta in Sept. 1988. I graduated in December of 1989. I was also a "staff member in training" for a couple of months untill I relapsed.
Please I would like to speak to you personally.
My email address is [email protected]
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There are some of us that don't care about an apology . There are quite a few that want justice for crimes committed against us.
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There are some of us that don't care about an apology . There are quite a few that want justice for crimes committed against us.
Understood, I hear you. The apology is a great gesture, though, especially considering the magnitude of it being given by someone as "high up" as executive staff. Perhaps an apology like this one here, which can be conducive to people (mainly ex-str8 parents) gaining understanding about what Straight really was, will ultimately be helpful in bringing about some justice, who knows.
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There are some of us that don't care about an apology . There are quite a few that want justice for crimes committed against us.
Yeah well, good luck with that.
In the meantime, I don't remember any other staff, exec or otherwise, doing anything remotely like this. It takes some hefty nads to come on a site like this and man up like this ex-staff did. He's earned a little respect for that, in my book.
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There are some of us that don't care about an apology . There are quite a few that want justice for crimes committed against us.
Agree.
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There are some of us that don't care about an apology . There are quite a few that want justice for crimes committed against us.
Agree.
Okay.
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There are some of us that don't care about an apology . There are quite a few that want justice for crimes committed against us.
Understood, I hear you. The apology is a great gesture, though, especially considering the magnitude of it being given by someone as "high up" as executive staff. Perhaps an apology like this one here, which can be conducive to people (mainly ex-str8 parents) gaining understanding about what Straight really was, will ultimately be helpful in bringing about some justice, who knows.
Absolutely. And the fact that he wrote "brainwashing" as one of the extremely unethical practices utilized by Straight is very important.
I wonder if anyone at Straight ever showed him any type of paperwork explaining how to brainwash? Or that they knew they were brainwashing kids, that would be key in exposing the techniques still being used in spin-offs to the public.
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[email protected]
hello richard, would you give me a reply contact email, as i think you might be able to shed some light on questions i have which could help me out.
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:bump:
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Thanks Rich. That took some guts to do. Especially here. I appreciate the thoughts and it does help (me at least) to actually hear an apology from someone. It's, at the very least, a little bit of validation and I have sorely needed that for years and years. And who knows, as Frod said maybe it'll strike a chord with somebody else. And they'll tell two friends. And so on and so on and so on.
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yeah, rich, what kind of shampoo do you use?
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While I appreciate your contrition, Rich, I'm not ready to accept your apology just yet. Pardon my French, but you were a grade-A jackass when I was in Straight (1985-1987). For those who don't remember the Springfield Straight, Rich was the "bad cop" the administration paraded out when they needed to intimidate the "patients." I distinctly remember you leading "Guys Talk" and screaming/spitting in my face for encouraging a fellow teenager to "cop out." You damaged a lot of people and seemed to enjoy the power you wielded. Instead of posting lengthy apologies on threads, why not volunteer at a local Boys & Girls Club and bring your karma back into balance? I'm not trying to be unduly harsh, but you need to be confronted by some of the people you injured. Everyone else here seems to be giving you a free pass. I'm disgusted with you and every other Brown-shirt who parachuted away when Straight collapsed while the rest of us spent years trying to put our lives back together. For shame!
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There are some of us that don't care about an apology . There are quite a few that want justice for crimes committed against us.
Understood, I hear you. The apology is a great gesture, though, especially considering the magnitude of it being given by someone as "high up" as executive staff. Perhaps an apology like this one here, which can be conducive to people (mainly ex-str8 parents) gaining understanding about what Straight really was, will ultimately be helpful in bringing about some justice, who knows.
I was an inmate! in orlando in88'&89 and miss behaved the whole time I was hit,kicked,body slammed many times I remember being taken to a room where they tried to make me stand forever & when I refused 5 or 6 upper phaser stomped me then twisted my legs and arms while I bled outta all kinds of places they sat on me while they twisted me up for hours I was later smaked with a chair on an attempt to leave and twisted up! then me and my buddy tried to escape when we broke the glass in the vending machine it was pretty bad can't remember details just remember it was pretty bad later that year GaBe finelly made 2nd phase when we went to winter haven for an outta town weekend after dinner we had showers so while the others went to do there M I morale invatorys me and gabe grabbed our shoes & cut out the front door we ran so hard for as long as we could through the woods until we came upon a swamp & are only choice was to turn around the way we came or through the swamp if you've ever spent time in straight you would rather take your chances with the gator so thats what we did this is early in the morning after open meeting so it was early I remember walking chest deep in swamp water wondering if a gator was going to get us.we made it to the otherside we walked off the road until dawn then we found a gas station where we hid in the in closed area where the dumpster is kept for that day we were about starve to death by next morning but anything was better then straight so starved to death we decited to hitch hike now remember we are both only 14 so we get on the intestate and try to hitch a ride we walked all day until we got a ride from a bread truck so far then we hitched anthor ride just before dark we ended up in jacksonville anyhow we were almost shot up while at a party when rival gang done a drive by i ended up calling my parents a few days later who led me to belive they wern't going to me back the next day a car pulled up with4 upper phaser and a prgramm dad i remember tring to fight to keep from going they over powered me & I was taken back to orlando where they abused me daily because I wouldn't get Honest or cry in there lil guy's groop about how I done sexual acts with guys or anmails how sick I only earned talk in the whole time i was a prisoner once & I was there over13 monthes I was tricked in the begening by being told we we going to an amusement park when we pulled up I seen the sign outside i refused to get out because i already knew what straight was about because of a girl friend at the time had been in straight befor we met after they convinced me i wasent staying they just wanted to evalate me after a few min. they called in some upper phasers and thats when they informed i was staying which at this time i lost it & the fight was on they dragged me in a room until my parents left then they began to kick my ass for hours because i refused to comply this was the start of a long nightmare that i still relive today the things I saw i remember we were cutting on our wrists trying to go to the hospital we cut them with pieces of tile from the dirty floor I remember when a kid brian got ahold of a paper clip he ripped open his wrist enough where he could touch the insides I now live in a world where i have no friends no relationship with my parents or sibling i am married with kids but can't hold a job & get very emotinal all the time I rarely go anywhere I don't feel apart of anything it's a day to day struggle just to keep going on straight took something from me that i will never get back so before you apolgies to me for the things you done why don't suck on a 45 cal until your branes drip outta your ears and now that we are getting honest :flame :beat: :twofinger: :cry: :
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There are some of us that don't care about an apology . There are quite a few that want justice for crimes committed against us.
Understood, I hear you. The apology is a great gesture, though, especially considering the magnitude of it being given by someone as "high up" as executive staff. Perhaps an apology like this one here, which can be conducive to people (mainly ex-str8 parents) gaining understanding about what Straight really was, will ultimately be helpful in bringing about some justice, who knows.
I was an inmate! in orlando in88'&89 and miss behaved the whole time I was hit,kicked,body slammed many times I remember being taken to a room where they tried to make me stand forever & when I refused 5 or 6 upper phaser stomped me then twisted my legs and arms while I bled outta all kinds of places they sat on me while they twisted me up for hours I was later smaked with a chair on an attempt to leave and twisted up! then me and my buddy tried to escape when we broke the glass in the vending machine it was pretty bad can't remember details just remember it was pretty bad later that year GaBe finelly made 2nd phase when we went to winter haven for an outta town weekend after dinner we had showers so while the others went to do there M I morale invatorys me and gabe grabbed our shoes & cut out the front door we ran so hard for as long as we could through the woods until we came upon a swamp & are only choice was to turn around the way we came or through the swamp if you've ever spent time in straight you would rather take your chances with the gator so thats what we did this is early in the morning after open meeting so it was early I remember walking chest deep in swamp water wondering if a gator was going to get us.we made it to the otherside we walked off the road until dawn then we found a gas station where we hid in the in closed area where the dumpster is kept for that day we were about starve to death by next morning but anything was better then straight so starved to death we decited to hitch hike now remember we are both only 14 so we get on the intestate and try to hitch a ride we walked all day until we got a ride from a bread truck so far then we hitched anthor ride just before dark we ended up in jacksonville anyhow we were almost shot up while at a party when rival gang done a drive by i ended up calling my parents a few days later who led me to belive they wern't going to me back the next day a car pulled up with4 upper phaser and a prgramm dad i remember tring to fight to keep from going they over powered me & I was taken back to orlando where they abused me daily because I wouldn't get Honest or cry in there lil guy's groop about how I done sexual acts with guys or anmails how sick I only earned talk in the whole time i was a prisoner once & I was there over13 monthes I was tricked in the begening by being told we we going to an amusement park when we pulled up I seen the sign outside i refused to get out because i already knew what straight was about because of a girl friend at the time had been in straight befor we met after they convinced me i wasent staying they just wanted to evalate me after a few min. they called in some upper phasers and thats when they informed i was staying which at this time i lost it & the fight was on they dragged me in a room until my parents left then they began to kick my ass for hours because i refused to comply this was the start of a long nightmare that i still relive today the things I saw i remember we were cutting on our wrists trying to go to the hospital we cut them with pieces of tile from the dirty floor I remember when a kid brian got ahold of a paper clip he ripped open his wrist enough where he could touch the insides I now live in a world where i have no friends no relationship with my parents or sibling i am married with kids but can't hold a job & get very emotinal all the time I rarely go anywhere I don't feel apart of anything it's a day to day struggle just to keep going on straight took something from me that i will never get back so before you apolgies to me for the things you done why don't suck on a 45 cal until your branes drip outta your ears and now that we are getting honest :flame :beat: :twofinger: :cry: :
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There are some of us that don't care about an apology . There are quite a few that want justice for crimes committed against us.
Understood, I hear you. The apology is a great gesture, though, especially considering the magnitude of it being given by someone as "high up" as executive staff. Perhaps an apology like this one here, which can be conducive to people (mainly ex-str8 parents) gaining understanding about what Straight really was, will ultimately be helpful in bringing about some justice, who knows.
I was an inmate! in orlando in88'&89 and miss behaved the whole time I was hit,kicked,body slammed many times I remember being taken to a room where they tried to make me stand forever & when I refused 5 or 6 upper phaser stomped me then twisted my legs and arms while I bled outta all kinds of places they sat on me while they twisted me up for hours I was later smaked with a chair on an attempt to leave and twisted up! then me and my buddy tried to escape when we broke the glass in the vending machine it was pretty bad can't remember details just remember it was pretty bad later that year GaBe finelly made 2nd phase when we went to winter haven for an outta town weekend after dinner we had showers so while the others went to do there M I morale invatorys me and gabe grabbed our shoes & cut out the front door we ran so hard for as long as we could through the woods until we came upon a swamp & are only choice was to turn around the way we came or through the swamp if you've ever spent time in straight you would rather take your chances with the gator so thats what we did this is early in the morning after open meeting so it was early I remember walking chest deep in swamp water wondering if a gator was going to get us.we made it to the otherside we walked off the road until dawn then we found a gas station where we hid in the in closed area where the dumpster is kept for that day we were about starve to death by next morning but anything was better then straight so starved to death we decited to hitch hike now remember we are both only 14 so we get on the intestate and try to hitch a ride we walked all day until we got a ride from a bread truck so far then we hitched anthor ride just before dark we ended up in jacksonville anyhow we were almost shot up while at a party when rival gang done a drive by i ended up calling my parents a few days later who led me to belive they wern't going to me back the next day a car pulled up with4 upper phaser and a prgramm dad i remember tring to fight to keep from going they over powered me & I was taken back to orlando where they abused me daily because I wouldn't get Honest or cry in there lil guy's groop about how I done sexual acts with guys or anmails how sick I only earned talk in the whole time i was a prisoner once & I was there over13 monthes I was tricked in the begening by being told we we going to an amusement park when we pulled up I seen the sign outside i refused to get out because i already knew what straight was about because of a girl friend at the time had been in straight befor we met after they convinced me i wasent staying they just wanted to evalate me after a few min. they called in some upper phasers and thats when they informed i was staying which at this time i lost it & the fight was on they dragged me in a room until my parents left then they began to kick my ass for hours because i refused to comply this was the start of a long nightmare that i still relive today the things I saw i remember we were cutting on our wrists trying to go to the hospital we cut them with pieces of tile from the dirty floor I remember when a kid brian got ahold of a paper clip he ripped open his wrist enough where he could touch the insides I now live in a world where i have no friends no relationship with my parents or sibling i am married with kids but can't hold a job & get very emotinal all the time I rarely go anywhere I don't feel apart of anything it's a day to day struggle just to keep going on straight took something from me that i will never get back so before you apolgies to me for the things you done why don't suck on a 45 cal until your branes drip outta your ears and now that we are getting honest :flame :beat: :twofinger: :cry: :
:birthday:
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I first recieved word of your appology from Myspace and didn't really know quite how to react. It is bitter-sweet, I suppose.
I know that you went through what we all went through but for the fucking life of me, I can not understand how you continued through the ranks to executive staff doing to others what was done to you. I too was in the program when you were on staff in Springfield and remember many daily asshole rips under your supervision. Of course, there were also times when I progressed in rank at straight and turned on the lower phasers to make my way through too. None of us are excluded from fucked up behavior here.
Thank you Rich for what you wrote. It's hard to hear but totally necessary for healing, IMO.
Smell ya,
Str8h8er ::OMG::
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I first recieved word of your appology from Myspace and didn't really know quite how to react. It is bitter-sweet, I suppose.
I know that you went through what we all went through but for the fucking life of me, I can not understand how you continued through the ranks to executive staff doing to others what was done to you.
This is a really good question. Something that I've wondered over the years. Not about Rich, but about myself. I too was on staff for several years. Here is what I know:
I wanted to help people.
I cared a great deal about almost everyone that was in there with me and after me.
We were all brainwashed to one degree or another - some worse then others.
In my situation, I had never been through any other "treatment" facility before, so I thought they were all the same. If one kept doing drugs, one would wind up dead, in jail or what ever. At the tender age of 17, when I went on staff, I thought straight was the shit - the only way to get sober. I bought their BS completely. I thought that since my family relationship was better, I had what I thought were good friends, and life was good therefore what they told me must have been right. I'm not saying that it is correct, in fact over the last 23 years I now understand the real psycological reasons that I went on staff and stayed for so long. I know that I was so codependant on the f'ing place that I couldn't leave. They had stipped me of any sence of self or independance that I could have had to the point that I could not function in society. The only thing that I knew was straight. I knew that I would be respected (though I know now that it was not real respect, it was forced respect) and cared about (again, not real but forced).
Like I said, it's not right. But I understand how he stayed as long as he did.
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As much as I hated my time,I feel blessed to have incarcerated during the earliest days.Jim Hartz,the first director may not have been the most qualified for his position(who there was?)but he did a great job of covering his ass in case the shit was going to hit the fan,he'd make sure it wasn't going to hit him.Mel Sembler didn't have nearly the juice at that time and Straight was anything but invulnerable.Helen Petermann was running around like menopausal moron but compared to Newton,at least so I've heard,she was the far lesser of two evils.I was there before there even a Fifth Phase.Just an attempt to create a new and improved Seed.George Ross was a year away from bringing in his rhetoric.Hartz apparently knew that if an axe was going to fall,his name was on it.So the abuses were there,but far more subtler than when Newton took over.I say lucky me because I know that it could have been worse.
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This apology means alot to me.I remember Richard Mullinax, he seemed more human than other staff.I have totally moved on with my life and I"m not bitter. Still, brainwashing kids is so wrong and looking back, Straight was so WEIRD and so wrong its almost unbelieveable.I have talked to my life partner about Straight and he understands it better after reading the petition and the apology from Mullinax. I have told certain coworkers about Straight, basically its in the past but it makes for
interesting history.The 70's and especially the 80's were weird times indeed.People like Mel Riddile may have been sincere,
but he was sincereley wrong, much like Robert E. Lee was sincerley wrong in leading the Confederate Army.Notice both Lee
and Riddile have alot to do with Northern Virginia. Lee later served at a college, he was lucky not to be hung for treason.
These executives had to be aware that there was brainwashing and abuse. I really would like to hearr what Mel Riddile,
Will Kniseley, Bufus Gammons, Lesley Murden, Suzzane Byrd have to say about Straight in the 80's.We could learn from their perspective, they too must see more clearly with the passing of so much time.Sadly, they have remained silent on the
issue. Thanks Richard for the heartfelt response.-Evan Rodgers
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I really appreciate this apology as well. In fact i think it could be regarded one day as a ground breaking event for us. Thank you Rich Mullinax. That said, I understand when people get pissed and unload on ex-staff. I feel like they earned the right to unleash some venom if it helps them to feel better. I have done it myself and I'm not ashamed of anything i have said to ex-staffers. I appreciate the fact that Rich Mullinax has taken it on the chin for a while now and he hasn't retreated. Everyone needs to look real hard at their own actions while at Straight before tossing boulders at Rich Mullinax. If you ever progressed in your phases at all then you did it on the back of somebody elses suffering. That was the way of the cult. I realize the adult staff members carry a larger degree of guilt than the rest of us but those who admit their crimes and ask forgiveness should be respected for that - just my opinion.
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If you ever progressed in your phases at all then you did it on the back of somebody elses suffering. That was the way of the cult.
I agree; kind of like "If you pay taxes, you are the system."
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If you ever progressed in your phases at all then you did it on the back of somebody elses suffering. That was the way of the cult.
I agree; kind of like "If you pay taxes, you are the system."
Or, a pyramid scam ... that uses human psyches as the collateral of exchange.
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If you ever progressed in your phases at all then you did it on the back of somebody elses suffering. That was the way of the cult.
I agree; kind of like "If you pay taxes, you are the system."
Or, a pyramid scam ... that uses human psyches as the collateral of exchange.
Ursus, you do have a way with words, very well put. Thanks Rich, much peace.
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I actually was able to write a thoughtful email to him without being too angry. I promise, I did not attack.. as you all know is hard for me.
I hope more staff are able to post thoughtful posts, so we can maybe learn something.
I don't come here often, finding this post was nice; Since he was on staff during my time.
Thanks R.M.
ps: college is good. Grades are great. I have a great feeling of accomplishment. All my pre-reqs are finished and start the RN program this week. Just 4 semesters to go! I am so happy =) It sure is nice to be able to identify myself as a Nursing student and not just an abused person anymore =)
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I actually was able to write a thoughtful email to him without being too angry. I promise, I did not attack.. as you all know is hard for me.
I hope more staff are able to post thoughtful posts, so we can maybe learn something.
I don't come here often, finding this post was nice; Since he was on staff during my time.
Thanks R.M.
ps: college is good. Grades are great. I have a great feeling of accomplishment. All my pre-reqs are finished and start the RN program this week. Just 4 semesters to go! I am so happy =) It sure is nice to be able to identify myself as a Nursing student and not just an abused person anymore =)
God bless ya, Withdraw. It does my poor tired soul good to hear that you are on your way to achieving your goals, and laudable goals they are at that.