Fornits
Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform => Lighthouse of northwest florida (fka VCA )/ Rebekah / Roloff ) => Topic started by: Oscar on July 29, 2010, 03:51:42 PM
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From: Rep. Miller (CA) bill would curtail Christian school abuse (http://http://open.salon.com/blog/akopsa/2010/03/09/rep_miller_ca_bill_would_curtail_christian_school_abuse), blog entry by Akopsa, March 9, 2010
I have been following the story of Jack Patterson, the founder of Christian boarding School Reclamation Ranch in Alabama, and the recent charges of aggravated child abuse against him. Patterson managed a plea agreement - from a felony abuse charge to a misdemeanor harassment charge - and skipped town.
I am just wondering. Did the police do a poor job because his ranch removed some of the local boy so they could eat their donuts without disturbance. It looks very much like the concept of one hand washing the other when clear cut evidence like shackles etc. is ignored.
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::OMG::
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Video news coverage (two different stations) of the raid on Reclamation Ranch in late 2008:
- Reclamation Ranch Police Raid · wdtony | November 25, 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTN84GswP_U (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTN84GswP_U)
- Reclamation Ranch Police Raid 2 · wdtony | November 25, 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQWbt3nV02Y (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQWbt3nV02Y)
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Video news coverage (two different stations) of the raid on Reclamation Ranch in late 2008:
- Reclamation Ranch Police Raid · wdtony | November 25, 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTN84GswP_U (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTN84GswP_U)
- Reclamation Ranch Police Raid 2 · wdtony | November 25, 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQWbt3nV02Y (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQWbt3nV02Y)
Well they obviously did not find what you folks here on fornits were hoping, so they lowered the charges. Jeesh you folks act like you were there investigating the case yourselves. Alabama knows how to take care of its own children.
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Video news coverage (two different stations) of the raid on Reclamation Ranch in late 2008:
- Reclamation Ranch Police Raid · wdtony | November 25, 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTN84GswP_U (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTN84GswP_U)
- Reclamation Ranch Police Raid 2 · wdtony | November 25, 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQWbt3nV02Y (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQWbt3nV02Y)
Well they obviously did not find what you folks here on fornits were hoping, so they lowered the charges. Jeesh you folks act like you were there investigating the case yourselves. Alabama knows how to take care of its own children.
"Did not find" something? Or found it too politically inconvenient?
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Video news coverage (two different stations) of the raid on Reclamation Ranch in late 2008:
- Reclamation Ranch Police Raid · wdtony | November 25, 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTN84GswP_U (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTN84GswP_U)
- Reclamation Ranch Police Raid 2 · wdtony | November 25, 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQWbt3nV02Y (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQWbt3nV02Y)
Well they obviously did not find what you folks here on fornits were hoping, so they lowered the charges. Jeesh you folks act like you were there investigating the case yourselves. Alabama knows how to take care of its own children.
"Did not find" something? Or found it too politically inconvenient?
Why is it (and you have involved politics many times with no citations)when something does not go they way you wanted it, oh, "the politics", "the good ole boy network", bla bla bla.
Ursus you don't even bother to back this statement up.
Think of this for a second, I am serious here now, "word I got is many folks do not like Preacher Dr. Jack Patterson they think he is a arrogant snotty SOB", got that verbatim last night from a good reliable citizen of Empire, Alabama.(Blount County). I am also hearing that a good many citizens really do not want a treatment center in their back yard. They really could care less whether it is doing well or not, obviously they are having a few problems. I don't think Dr. Jack has seen the end of this and it may be political but not in his favor, Ursus.
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Video news coverage (two different stations) of the raid on Reclamation Ranch in late 2008:
- Reclamation Ranch Police Raid · wdtony | November 25, 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTN84GswP_U (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTN84GswP_U)
- Reclamation Ranch Police Raid 2 · wdtony | November 25, 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQWbt3nV02Y (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQWbt3nV02Y)
Well they obviously did not find what you folks here on fornits were hoping, so they lowered the charges. Jeesh you folks act like you were there investigating the case yourselves. Alabama knows how to take care of its own children.
"Did not find" something? Or found it too politically inconvenient?
Why is it (and you have involved politics many times with no citations)when something does not go they way you wanted it, oh, "the politics", "the good ole boy network", bla bla bla.
Ursus you don't even bother to back this statement up.
Think of this for a second, I am serious here now, "word I got is many folks do not like Preacher Dr. Jack Patterson they think he is a arrogant snotty SOB", got that verbatim last night from a good reliable citizen of Empire, Alabama.(Blount County). I am also hearing that a good many citizens really do not want a treatment center in their back yard. They really could care less whether it is doing well or not, obviously they are having a few problems. I don't think Dr. Jack has seen the end of this and it may be political but not in his favor, Ursus.
Well... just 'cuz the locals can recognize a spade as a spade ... doesn't necessarily translate into having the appropriate political clout to do the job. Of course, being an "arrogant snotty SOB" is not enough to get you run out of town. Maybe the handcuffs and shackles they confiscated from Reclamation Ranch might have a lil more to do with all the hoopla. :D
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Video news coverage (two different stations) of the raid on Reclamation Ranch in late 2008:
- Reclamation Ranch Police Raid · wdtony | November 25, 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTN84GswP_U (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTN84GswP_U)
- Reclamation Ranch Police Raid 2 · wdtony | November 25, 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQWbt3nV02Y (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQWbt3nV02Y)
Well they obviously did not find what you folks here on fornits were hoping, so they lowered the charges. Jeesh you folks act like you were there investigating the case yourselves. Alabama knows how to take care of its own children.
"Did not find" something? Or found it too politically inconvenient?
Why is it (and you have involved politics many times with no citations)when something does not go they way you wanted it, oh, "the politics", "the good ole boy network", bla bla bla.
Ursus you don't even bother to back this statement up.
Think of this for a second, I am serious here now, "word I got is many folks do not like Preacher Dr. Jack Patterson they think he is a arrogant snotty SOB", got that verbatim last night from a good reliable citizen of Empire, Alabama.(Blount County). I am also hearing that a good many citizens really do not want a treatment center in their back yard. They really could care less whether it is doing well or not, obviously they are having a few problems. I don't think Dr. Jack has seen the end of this and it may be political but not in his favor, Ursus.
Well... just 'cuz the locals can recognize a spade as a spade ... doesn't necessarily translate into having the appropriate political clout to do the job. Of course, being an "arrogant snotty SOB" is not enough to get you run out of town. Maybe the handcuffs and shackles they confiscated from Reclamation Ranch might have a lil more to do with all the hoopla. :D
No I would not think so , I was handcuffed and shackled as I was being transported to Marathon House and one more time leaving Marathon House to court and back to Marathon House. (hope that made sense) Why??? Something about the State of Rhode Island in 1973/74 having a law, that all runaways being transported from institutions to court and back must be restrained. Just before they kicked me out of Marathon House they handcuffed and shackled me for at least 2 hours before juvie picked me up, then the whole way to juvie I was restrained the same way.
Ursus, being handcuffed and shackled is not the worst treatment a unruly adolescence could endure.
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Well they obviously did not find what you folks here on fornits were hoping, so they lowered the charges. Jeesh you folks act like you were there investigating the case yourselves. Alabama knows how to take care of its own children.
"Did not find" something? Or found it too politically inconvenient?
Why is it (and you have involved politics many times with no citations)when something does not go they way you wanted it, oh, "the politics", "the good ole boy network", bla bla bla.
Ursus you don't even bother to back this statement up.
Think of this for a second, I am serious here now, "word I got is many folks do not like Preacher Dr. Jack Patterson they think he is a arrogant snotty SOB", got that verbatim last night from a good reliable citizen of Empire, Alabama.(Blount County). I am also hearing that a good many citizens really do not want a treatment center in their back yard. They really could care less whether it is doing well or not, obviously they are having a few problems. I don't think Dr. Jack has seen the end of this and it may be political but not in his favor, Ursus.
Well... just 'cuz the locals can recognize a spade as a spade ... doesn't necessarily translate into having the appropriate political clout to do the job. Of course, being an "arrogant snotty SOB" is not enough to get you run out of town. Maybe the handcuffs and shackles they confiscated from Reclamation Ranch might have a lil more to do with all the hoopla. :D
No I would not think so , I was handcuffed and shackled as I was being transported to Marathon House and one more time leaving Marathon House to court and back to Marathon House. (hope that made sense) Why??? Something about the State of Rhode Island in 1973/74 having a law, that all runaways being transported from institutions to court and back must be restrained. Just before they kicked me out of Marathon House they handcuffed and shackled me for at least 2 hours before juvie picked me up, then the whole way to juvie I was restrained the same way.
Ursus, being handcuffed and shackled is not the worst treatment a unruly adolescence could endure.
So... ya think the shackles and handcuffs they keep at Reclamation Ranch are for all the transporting in and outta there that they do?
Or... might they have something to do with ... methods of discipline?
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Danny wrote:
No I would not think so , I was handcuffed and shackled as I was being transported to Marathon House and one more time leaving Marathon House to court and back to Marathon House. (hope that made sense) Why??? Something about the State of Rhode Island in 1973/74 having a law, that all runaways being transported from institutions to court and back must be restrained. Just before they kicked me out of Marathon House they handcuffed and shackled me for at least 2 hours before juvie picked me up, then the whole way to juvie I was restrained the same way.
Ursus, being handcuffed and shackled is not the worst treatment a unruly adolescence could endure.
Ursus wrote:
So... ya think the shackles and handcuffs they keep at Reclamation Ranch are for all the transporting in and outta there that they do?
Or... might they have something to do with ... methods of discipline?
Danny wrote:
Well, Ursus, this is what I know you want to believe, so I'll just let you roll with that.
What we do know is, the authorities or Reclamation Ranch have not discussed for what purposes the hand cuffs and shackles were used for. I'm sure there were/are some rowdy boys there and by judging how Preacher Jack looks and acted on TV, I'd say some good ole southern bulls are running around there.
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Well, Ursus, this is what I know you want to believe, so I'll just let you roll with that.
What we do know is, the authorities or Reclamation Ranch have not discussed for what purposes the hand cuffs and shackles were used for. I'm sure there were/are some rowdy boys there and by judging how Preacher Jack looks and acted on TV, I'd say some good ole southern bulls are running around there.
Well, why don't we go back in time to when the raid occurred, which was on Saturday, November 22nd, 2008, if I'm not mistaken. Here's a post from the thread Prayer Circle Monday, November 24, 2008 on the Taste of Home forums; from the sound of it, DHS was mostly concerned about the "discipline" methods used:
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Originally posted (http://http://community.tasteofhome.com/forums/p/684628/5804821.aspx#5804821) on 11-24-2008 11:09 AM on tasteofhome.com:
Mari,
I'm another mom of a young daughter who is involved in this recent developement of Reclamation Ranch in Alabama. If the parents of that young boy would like to contact me, I'd be more than happy to visit with them. Apparently, CPS has decided they dont like the "discipline" methods used at the ranch. I spoke with the CPS of Alabama on Saturday evening, and the things they said they were "concerned" about, were ridiculous in nature. I was aware of their methods of discipline when I left my daughter there and were in full support of their methods. After 6 months, my daughter has made HUGE leaps in progress! She was there for rebelling after her father died, and I recently remarried. We had had her in another local program here in Texas, that actually did more harm than good before we transferred her to Alabama.
We really need to keep Brother Jack Patterson and his staff in our prayers and do all we can to support them. From what I understand, they go to court on Tuesday to see what the judge is going to rule. For now, I believe the boys have actually been put into another program. The girls have been sent back to their home, but were informed that they had "rights" and did not have to listen to the staff at the ranch. I was livid to hear my daughter tell me this! She told me that CPS advised her that she had all these rights (which were against the schools rules), and so of course, her and the other girls quickly developed "attitudes" with the staff. Those poor ladies who have cared for my daughter for the past 6 months, and who have put their lives into this program for more than 20 years, have just had their hands tied by CPS's nonsense. What is worse, is that MOST of the parents who had their children in this program, have the attitude that if CPS says it's bad there, then it must be bad! What they dont realize is that CPS could care less about the children.....I have personal dealings with them, and as a Christian parent, can tell you that they have NO respect for parent's authority (especially Christian parents) who are trying to raise their children as God said. They see all Christians as wackos.
Please let me know if I can be of assistance to this family. I feel like this is one of the last "true Godly" programs out there. We as parents need to stick together on this.
Shellie in Texas
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NBC13.com
Investigators probing boys ranch abuse claims find shackles (http://http://www2.nbc13.com/vtm/news/local/article/investigators_probing_boys_ranch_abuse_claims_find_shackles/48418/)
By Jon Paepcke | Investigative reporter
Published: November 25, 2008
Updated: November 25, 2008
(http://http://media.nbc13.com/wvtm/img-story/images/uploads/blount.JPG)
A custody hearing was held at the Blount County courthouse for 11 boys taken during Saturday’s raid at the Reclamation Ranch.
Image Credit: Jon Paepcke
BLOUNT COUNTY, Ala.—- Saturday’s raid at Blount County’s Reclamation Ranch led to 11 boys placed in Department of Human Resources custody.
It was prompted by claims from a 17 year old who attended the ranch.
According to prosecutors, the boy accused the ranch of committing serious abuse.
Abuse prosecutors say rises to the level of torture under Alabama law.
Court records show investigators seized hand cuffs and shackles from the ranch.
Roman Lupekha spent 22 months at the ranch before a judge released him today to go home to Modesto, California.
“I got push-ups. It helped me more than it hurt,” Lupekha responded when asked what kind of punishment he saw used at the ranch.
Many of the 11 boys were released to their families like Lupekha during Tuesday’s custody hearing.
It was unclear late Tuesday whether all of them went home with their parents.
Ranch supporters held a rally outside of the Blount County courthouse earlier Tuesday morning.
The ranch claims one of its goals is to help troubled youth through character building and religious education.
“That place was a vessel. All they did was show me the truth and they just helped me out. They gave me a good schooling and worked with my problems. I was going through family problems and all they did was show me scripture,” Lupekha responded.
Prosecutors say statements by other boys supported the original abuse complaint.
While ranch director Jack Patterson wouldn’t comment at the hearing Tuesday, he denies any wrongdoing on the ranch’s web site.
Prosecutors expect to present the case to the grand jury in the next few weeks.
©2010 Birmingham Broadcasting (WVTM-TV), Inc.
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No I would not think so , I was handcuffed and shackled as I was being transported to Marathon House and one more time leaving Marathon House to court and back to Marathon House. (hope that made sense) Why??? Something about the State of Rhode Island in 1973/74 having a law, that all runaways being transported from institutions to court and back must be restrained. Just before they kicked me out of Marathon House they handcuffed and shackled me for at least 2 hours before juvie picked me up, then the whole way to juvie I was restrained the same way.
Ursus, being handcuffed and shackled is not the worst treatment a unruly adolescence could endure.
I believe that use of mecanical restraints should be preserved for law enforcement only. I would never use handcuffs on my children and I certainly would not allow some teacher at a boarding school to do that. If the boarding school have problems with my child they can call the police and they are the one who use their professional judgment when they decide whether to use restraints or not.
In relationship with the authorities using restraints, I can understand that that they need to shackle minors who have been sentenced during transport if they only have one staff member available for the transport. I believe that there was an escape by two girls who tried to strangle the driver, but even the worst juvenile killer can be transported without handcuffs by two trained officers. I remember a case about a 15 year old kids up in Aalborg, who killed a man just because the victim could not produce a lighter. The kid hit and kick the victim until the head of the victim burst. In the start the police believed that some kind of weapon had been used until they learned the truth. When this young man was on trial he was not transported in handcuffs because the police knew how be became dangerous. It was drugs. Without drugs he was just another pleasant young man. Here is a link about the case with a photo of him entering the court:
16-year-old Rasmus is hardened violent criminal (http://http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=da&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http://ekstrabladet.dk/112/article1065714.ece&sl=da&tl=en&swap=1)
Our laws allow only law enforcement to use mechanical restraints (only handcuffs - no leg restraints). Group homes can not use mechanical restraints on minors.
I know that is easier here where there is no place to hide and especially not for a kid like him because part of his crime was to MMS photos of the corpse to his friends, which made the police investigation rather easy.
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The Birmingham News
11 boys removed at faith-based Reclamation Ranch (http://http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/statebriefs.ssf?/base/news/1227604555195750.xml&coll=2)
Beating, torture allegations probed
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
KENT FAULK
News staff writer
A faith-based program plans a protest this morning near the Blount County Courthouse where a hearing is to be held on what will be done with a group of boys removed Saturday from one of its facilities by law enforcement officers investigating allegations of severe abuse, beating and torture.
The faith-based program is calling the accusations false and misleading on its Web site. About 11 boys were removed from a Reclamation Ranch facility in Empire on Saturday and, based on court orders, placed into the custody of the Blount County Department of Human Resources, said Blount County District Attorney Tommy Rountree. The pastor and founder of the facility put the number at 17 boys.
Based on a complaint of "severe abuse, beating and torture of a minor child" at the ranch, a search warrant was executed by the Blount County Sheriff's Office, Alabama Bureau of Investigation, and the district attorney's office, Rountree said in a press release.
"The search by law enforcement and the questioning of involved minors yielded corroboration of the original allegations and evidence of other instances of mistreatment. The investigation is ongoing," Rountree said in his statement.
No arrests or charges had been filed as of Monday, Rountree said. He declined to give details of the allegations, although he said there had been no allegation of any sexual abuse.
A court hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. in Blount County, which Reclamation Ranch's Web site says will determine whether the boys will be returned to their parents or remain in state custody. The ministry plans to rally near the courthouse.
On http://www.reclamationranch.com (http://www.reclamationranch.com), the facility called the allegations false and misleading and said it doesn't condone abuse. "We don't use any corporal punishment," said Pastor Jack Patterson, director and founder of Reclamation Ranch.
According to its Web site, Reclamation Ranch operates two facilities in the Empire area for boys and girls ages 12-17 and one program for men ages 18-35. The girls facility called Rachel Academy is in Walker County about a mile and a half from the boys campus in Blount County.
Girls at Reclamation Ranch were questioned at the Sumiton police station on Saturday but were later released. Patterson said the girls facility was still in operation on Monday and he planned to continue operation of the boys facility.
The Web site describes the program as working with boys and girls who have had problems in different areas that resulted in a family member placing them with the program.
"The Lighthouse for Boys is a minimum one-year program that incorporates Bible teaching, character training and respect for family," according to the Reclamation Ranch Web site. "The boys learn how to obey authority, how to complete chores in a 'Christian' fashion with a good attitude and to complete all they do to the best of their abilities. They are given individual counseling sessions with the superintendents where they are taught how to deal with bitterness, anger and rebellion with the Word of God as our foundation. We keep the boys busy with exercise, school, chores and lots of fun!"
E-mail: [email protected]
© 2010 The Birmingham News.
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Supporters of Pastor Jack Patterson and Reclamation Ranch protested the boys' removal:
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The News Courier
November 25, 2008
Group protests abuse probe at Empire facility (http://http://enewscourier.com/statenews/x1037421054/Group-protests-abuse-probe-at-Empire-facility)
ONEONTA, Ala. (AP) — Supporters of the Reclamation Ranch in Empire planned to protest near the Blount County Courthouse where a hearing is planned on what will be done with a group of boys removed the ranch.
Law enforcement officers are investigating allegations of severe abuse, beating and torture at the facility. The supporters at Tuesday's hearing call the accusations false and misleading.
District Attorney Tommy Rountree says about 11 boys were removed Saturday from a Reclamation Ranch facility in Empire and placed into the custody of the Blount County Department of Human Resources.
The pastor and founder of the facility put the number at 17 boys.
© 2010 Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.
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The Birmingham News
Update: 11 boys returned to families as abuse investigation continues (http://http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2008/11/11_boys_returned_to_families_a.html)
Published: Tuesday, November 25, 2008, 10:15 PM · Updated: Tuesday, November 25, 2008, 10:23 PM
Staci B. Brooks
ONEONTA -- Eleven juveniles who had been at a faith-based home for troubled boys were returned to their parents and guardians today while a probe continued into charges of abuse at the facility.
The boys, who had lived at Reclamation Ranch Ministries' Lighthouse Academy in western Blount County, were the subject of a hearing before Circuit Judge Steve King to determine if they should stay in the custody of the Department of Human Resources. The boys, who hailed from places including California, Kentucky and an Amish community in Ohio, were released by the court throughout the day to parents, relatives or other adults.
Some of the boys said their time at the academy had changed them for the better. But some foster parents, with whom DHR had placed some of the boys after removing them from Lighthouse Academy on Saturday, said the facility seemed unduly harsh.
According to Reclamation Ranch's Web site, Lighthouse "is a minimum one-year program that incorporates Bible teaching, character training and respect for family." The site also calls the abuse allegations "false and misleading."
The 11 boys, all younger than 18, as well as some 18-year-olds living at the academy, had been placed by DHR in other residential settings after authorities removed them from the academy early Saturday morning. Sheriff's deputies and Alabama Bureau of Investigation agents were acting on a complaint of "severe abuse, beating and torture" of a 17-year-old at the facility, according to the Blount County District Attorney's Office.
The day began with a crowd of 150 to 200 gathering in front of the courthouse, a number of whom waved and blew kisses at Pastor Jack Patterson, the founder/director of Reclamation Ranch who was watching from a second-floor window. The Rev. Charlie Andrews, a pastor from West Jefferson, said the gathering was to support Lighthouse, and those who had had children there. After Andrews said a short prayer, most of those on hand left.
Other than saying "God bless you," Patterson would not comment.
Some former academy residents interviewed after the hearing had good things to say about their time at Lighthouse.
"They changed my life," said 18-year-old Roman Lupekah, who said he had spent a year there. "They restored my relationship with my family, with my sister, got me saved, you know."
But Kenneth and Jean Johnson, area foster parents who had housed three academy boys at DHR's request, said they were troubled by what the youths had told them, which included eating outdated cereal and not receiving contributions that churches and other groups had provided for them.
"They had to have permission to go to the bathroom, had to have permission to get a glass a water," Kenneth Johnson said. "They had to have permission to go to bed -- you name it. And they would let them call home one time a month... and talk for four minutes, and that was it."
© 2010 Alabama Live LLC.
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Comments (http://http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2008/11/11_boys_returned_to_families_a.html) left for the above article, "Update: 11 boys returned to families as abuse investigation continues (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=30869&p=373727#p373702)" (by Staci B. Brooks; November 25, 2008; The Birmingham News):
sigir1 November 26, 2008 at 12:17AM
Man, this brings back some really bad memories. I went to the church pastored my Charlie Andrews for over year and it was a nightmare. The men and women were not allowed to hug each other at church, they treated any unmarried adult like a child. I was hungry to go to church and got sucked in. It was just like being in a cult. Just like the article said, you had to ask permission to do anything. Everybody there followed that Peter Ruckman guy out of Pensacola, FL. I knew two women from the church, one of whom I wanted to date. The church told me that I had to ask the pastor (Andrews) for permission. They told me I had to sit down with him and ask him if it was God's will that I date this young lady. If he said "yes," they we would be allowed to court under the supervision of adults. Basically go out on a date with chaperons. I was 27 at the time and the girl was 24. I went along with it at first, but eventually had enough. I tried to talk the girl into leaving the church with me, the church got wind of it and told me to never come back. Members of the church emailed me saying that I was not of "their kind" and threatened to "meet me with shotguns" if I ever returned to their church. I remember the men and women coming from their boy's and girl's ranch to the church services. They always looked unhappy and depressed. The people in charge seemed to treat them awful. The worst thing about it is how they falsely did all of this stuff in the name of God. It was terrible! Thankfully, God got me out.
sigir1 November 26, 2008 at 12:19AM
Man, this brings back some really bad memories. I went to the church pastored my Charlie Andrews for over year and it was a nightmare. The men and women were not allowed to hug each other at church, they treated any unmarried adult like a child. I was hungry to go to church and got sucked in. It was just like being in a cult. Just like the article said, you had to ask permission to do anything. Everybody there followed that Peter Ruckman guy out of Pensacola, FL. I knew two women from the church, one of whom I wanted to date. The church told me that I had to ask the pastor (Andrews) for permission. They told me I had to sit down with him and ask him if it was God's will that I date this young lady. If he said "yes," they we would be allowed to court under the supervision of adults. Basically go out on a date with chaperons. I was 27 at the time and the girl was 24. I went along with it at first, but eventually had enough. I tried to talk the girl into leaving the church with me, the church got wind of it and told me to never come back. Members of the church emailed me saying that I was not of "their kind" and threatened to "meet me with shotguns" if I ever returned to their church. I remember the men and women coming from their boy's and girl's ranch to the church services. They always looked unhappy and depressed. The people in charge seemed to treat them awful. The worst thing about it is how they falsely did all of this stuff in the name of God. It was terrible! Thankfully, God got me out.
thegorilla08 November 26, 2008 at 1:54AM
Awe....poor babies. You bunch of hard headed complainers. I went to military school and had to have permission to scratch. We got our fannies paddled and every day if that is what it took to straighten out four hundred and forty fellow military school classmates, and believe me IT WORKED. Abuse? You bunch of spoiled rotten modern day weanies.
foghorn1 November 26, 2008 at 2:28AM
I agree with The Gorilla, it's time for these kids to get the ROD when they misbehave. The Johnson's should never be aloud to foster any children if they beleive the crap the kids are saying. Out dated ceral is just the same as dated ceral, and when it's donations, don't look a gift horse in the mouth. The date is to insure SALE date, not editable date. These kids were sent to the farm because their own parents couldn't do any thing with them. Now they are bitc'n because someone is giving them order in life. The grads have spoken very well for the experence and their new found life with their families. It's called RESPECT. Give it, get it. But for a kid that clames to be 27, sigir is pathetic and i would venture to say a liar. Until the DHR finishes it's review, of one 17yo, let's keep the post civil and w/o LIES.
happyhab November 26, 2008 at 3:51AM
Yes, thank God that we still have some smart people that understand what abuse is and what is discipline. My son is Roman & I cannot thank enough with my broken English to that family that with God help him to become who he is now. I am Christian, but not a Baptist. Yes they worship God little different than I do, but I cannot say that I am better then them. Obviously not. I don't have so much patience & love that I would sell my home, take my family & move to another state just with one reason to help trouble kids. I read in article that foster parents said that kids told them that they eat outdated cereal. And if they eat outdated cereal it is only because the family tried to save money to help parents to pay less tuition. When I want to plays my son to Fresno Boarding School for ADHD kids-tuition was $5,500 per month. My son travel with ranch all over the east cost and school never asked me to pay more than I paid monthly. My son had separate room, enough food & clothes, & mother that loves him dearly, but he chooses drugs, alcohol & cigarettes. I was abused by him. I only here from him F.B. words. PLEASE JUST REMEMBER THAT BOYS WANTED TO BE THERE. IF THEY WERE GOOD NO ONE WOULD PLACE THEM THERE. I was begging ranch staff to take my son there because I new that if they don't help him now he will end in jail. No single parent wants that for their kids. If someone interviews my son at the beginning when he went to school, he would say the same that that boys said. Since now he is totally different and testifies that ranch really change his life some comments said that ranch hired him to do that. If you meet the family that took care of those 12 boys you will thank God every day that we still have people like them. My son was there almost for two years, so I have chance to now them, so please think before you post those nasty remarks about them. I can only feel sorry for all other desperate parent that they could have help for their TROUBLE KIDS, but now they can't. My son could get high school diploma, and stay longer in nice Christian environment, and learned more how to be productive citizen, but someone else decided what is best for him.
atip November 26, 2008 at 4:40AM
These kids are problem children that must learn what submitting to authority is all about. We live in a soiled rotten, self seving society with a bunch of kids that have been raised to believe that even though they have never earned anything in their lives, they are owed something. Parents have built up their children's expectations to the point that they will never be happy as adults.
bhmhater November 26, 2008 at 5:58AM
A lot of the problems in our society today are the direct result of ORGANIZED religion.
matrixblde November 26, 2008 at 6:46AM
There is some merit to being strict but there is a difference being in a cult and being in the military. The military is strict and controlling to produce soldiers that will be able to follow orders and be safe, and effective in combat, Cults sole purpose is to enpower the leader(s). Cults use extremely strict measures and isolation from friends and family to promote brainwashing, the effect is the person grows to only see the way of the cult and begins to obey what ever bush says, oh I mean what ever the leader says regardless. It has nothing to do with religion, it has nothing to do with getting right with your family, it is only about one man (usually) having absolute controll over people. Its too easy to just point a finger and say, oh that religion for you , because this can happen in other situations but false religiousity is the easiest to pull off.
But the whole thing about chasing someone with a gun, well thats just the american way, if someone doesn't think like you well then shoot at em.
rebekajanica November 26, 2008 at 7:05AM
Wow! What a load of filth and garbage to wake up to the morning before Thanksgiving . . . reading the postings about spoiled rotten children, a self serving society, and the use of a rod to cure all evils in kids is just plain sickening. Add to that, the glaring fact that some of you proponents of child abuse can't spell . . . in your haste to get out your vitriolic diatribe against children, perhaps you forgot HOW to spell. Shame on you all!
Thank you, bhmhater, for saying it plain and simple.
cutegrma November 26, 2008 at 7:10AM
bhmhater - I'm with you, whole cultures have been destroyed all in the name of religion. I, for one, do NOT believe in a guilt laden,angry,hateful God, but a loving,kind God. It is hard to go to someone if you fear them and know they will make you feel guilt for everything you do. Wonder how many of these kids will need serious psychological counseling in the future?
wrax01 November 26, 2008 at 8:34AM
GIVE ME A BREAK I went through "the ranch" about 1 year before they moved to AL(actually by the time I left they were in process of building the new dorms here in AL. I had just undergone a "UROD" Ultra Rapid Opiate Detox and was shipped off to Washington State-where the men's home was located at the time. Was surrounded by good people who were truly concerned about me getting my life back together NOWHERE NEAR CULT STATUS, upon graduating the program, I flew to TN (where the boys and girls home was located at the time) and stayed on to help in the school and helped as a dorm supervisor w/ Bro. Scruggs and the boys for several months. During this period I'd saw many kids disciplined w/ push-ups, jumping jacks, rock pile(moving rocks from one location to another repeatedly), all very light and quite easy stuff to do. For the kids that were out of shape they were never even pushed to the point of exhaustion, while the entire time I can't count how many times I'd here a few of them complaining about how they were being "abused" they were simply mad because they didn't want to be there (as most of them were court ordered) and many times were looking to get into trouble in hopes that they would eventually get sent home. Usually the only times they were ever even disciplined was if they started a fight, got caught smoking or huffing(some form of inhalant), blatant disrespect for an authority figure or in some cases their peers, etc. The programs primary focus isn't on discipline it's on love, how to get your life together, education, preparing yourself to get back out into the "real world", forgiveness, anger management, drug abuse awareness/education, mostly-the word of God. And yes sigir1 I was one of those guys that from time to time visited Brother Andrews church and while I've always found church quite boring with Bro. Andrews dry humor and wit-not to mention his knowledge of the word I was always on the edge of my seat listening to every word he had to say, sure many of the 12-15 year old kids who didn't get the humor or the message(which the message was actually quite clear cut- most of the ones that looked upset probably were because they simply didn't want to be in the program to begin with as mentioned many are court ordered) For me and many others that I know that have been through the program it was a total success. NEVER, NOT ONCE, DID I EVER SEE ONE INSTANCE OF NEGLECT OR ABUSE, IF ANYTHING IT WAS EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE. IF ANYONE EVER WAS TO LAY A FINGER ON ONE OF THOSE KIDS BROTHER JACK PATTERSON WOULD HAVE SEEN TO IT THAT IT WAS TAKEN CARE OF IMMEDIATELY THAT MUCH I CAN GUARANTEE YOU! As far as meals went GIVE ME A BREAK we were fed some of the best home cooked meals I've ever eaten on a consistent basis, and I grew up in a picture perfect middle class household with a mother who was a great cook, when we were on the road it was usually Cracker Barrel for breakfast sometimes McDonalds and always real food at a descent restaurant as we(at the ranch) spent much of our time traveling the country, literally all over the U.S. it was an experience I wouldn't trade for the world( those kids had it made-trust me I've been there!) and yes to this day I am "clean and sober"- close to eight years later w/ my own business that has actually faired quite well over the years. So to all those who want to take a snippet of the news or simply a kid who cried wolf and call a Waco (as apparently the Blount County authorities did)- GET A LIFE and a good old KJV Holy Bible and do a little reading in your spare time.- J.Clarke
usernametakn November 26, 2008 at 8:43AM
If someone has to have a permission to go to bathroom or get a water, it means only one thing, that they earned this restriction by abusing an order.
My kids know to get their bathroom trip and water before 9pm (their bed time), if they start running around after bedtime they get in trouble and it is made clear that they need a permission to get water or bathroom.
It is called discipline, and teaches kids to become responsible adults.
usernametakn November 26, 2008 at 8:46AM
God bless people who take care of these kids! It takes a lot of personal sacrifices.
bcr35242 November 26, 2008 at 8:53AM
The 17 and 18 year olds that are complaining do have another good option - JOIN THE MILITARY AND SERVE YOUR COUNTRY PUNKS!
I'm sure you'll find that Baghdad is a much more compassionate home.
srinne November 26, 2008 at 8:59AM
wrax,
Thank you so much for your time and post this morning!!! God bless you and congratulations on your success.
My young daughter is in the program now, and I am seeing lots of improvements with her as well. The kind of atmosphere is EXACTLY what we've seen so far. I have pics of her traveling all over the US this summer, funny pics of her really enjoying herself, as I think she finally seeing how nice life can be if you just respect those in authority (that was our major problem at home). She hated it when she first got there, (hated the authority), but soon learned that children have to learn obedience, if they ever want to get anywhere in this world. You start as a child learning obedience, so you can eventually learn to work under authority in the workplace, and most importantly, learn to submitt to the Lord.
Your post is quite encouraging and much appreciated!!
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Sir.
Shellie in Texas
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NBC13.com
Boys removed from Empire facility return to homes (http://http://www2.nbc13.com/vtm/news/local/article/boys_removed_from_empire_facility_return_to_homes/48554/)
Associated Press
Published: November 26, 2008
Updated: November 26, 2008
ONEONTA, Ala. (AP) - Eleven boys who had been removed from the Reclamation Ranch in Empire have been returned to their parents and guardians while claims of abuse are investigated.
The boys, all younger than 18, were the subject of a hearing before Circuit Judge Steve King on Tuesday to determine if they should stay in the custody of the Department of Human Resources.
Law enforcement officers are investigating accusations of severe abuse, beating and torture at the facility.
Some of the boys said their time at the academy had changed them for the better. But some foster parents taking care of boys who were removed Saturday said the facility seemed unduly harsh.
They said the youth recalled eating outdated cereal, not receiving charitable contributions meant for them and only being allowed short phone calls home each month.
Authorities removed the boys after receiving an abuse complaint involving a 17-year-old.
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