Thousands of teenagers sent to American boot camps have suffered horrific
abuse and some have paid with their lives, according to a shocking new
report by the US Congress.
The report, presented with harrowing testimony from parents of three teenagers
who died at boot camps, comes as a Florida manslaughter trial opened into
the death of Martin Lee Anderson, 14. He was filmed being beaten by camp
guards minutes before he died, footage seen not only inside the courtroom
but on television screens across America.
The Government Accountability Office, the US Congress investigative arm,
identified 1,619 incidents of child abuse in 33 states in 2005. It selected
ten deaths since 1990 for special investigation in boot camps and “wilderness
programmes”.
Parents send their children to the privately run camps in the hope that their
strict regimes and outdoor pursuits will instil discipline. But the findings
suggest that instructors often go too far in trying to teach them good
behaviour.
“Examples of abuse include youths being forced to eat their own vomit, denied
adequate food, being forced to lie in urine or faeces, being kicked, beaten
and thrown to the ground,” Gregory Kutz, a GAO investigator, told a
congressional committee.
One teenager, Mr Kutz said, was “forced to use a toothbrush to clean a toilet,
then forced to use that toothbrush on their own teeth”. The abuse that
preceded the deaths of the ten teenagers was particularly shocking. “If you
walked in partway through my presentation you might have assumed I was
talking about human rights violations in a Third World country,” Mr Kutz
said.
Speaking in front of photographs of his emaciated son an hour before his
death, Bob Bacon — the father of Aaron — described how his son had been
starved, with his weight falling from 9st 4lb (59kg) to 7st 10lb in three
weeks. He said that he and his wife had sent Aaron to the Northstar
Expeditions in Escalante, Utah, in the hope that it would get him away from
the drugs that he had started dabbling in at school.
A “bloody and battered journal” that Aaron kept contained “an unbelievable
account of torture, abuse and neglect”, Mr Bacon said. He said that Aaron
spent 14 of 20 days “without any food whatsoever” while having to hike eight
to ten miles (13-16km) a day. When he was given food, it consisted of
“undercooked lentils, lizards, scorpions, trail mix and a celebrated canned
peach on the 13th day”. Aaron died from an untreated perforated ulcer. His
father said that he had been beaten “from the top of his head to the tip of
his toes” during his month at the camp. “His mother and I will never escape
our decision to send our 16-year-old son to his death,” Mr Bacon said.
At the American Buffalo Soldiers boot camp in Arizona, where Anthony Haynes,
14, died in 2001, children were fed an apple for breakfast, a carrot for
lunch and a bowl of beans for dinner, the GAO report said. Anthony became
dehydrated in a 45C (113F) temperature and vomited soil that he had eaten
because of his hunger, according to witnesses. The programme closed and
Charles Long, its director, was sentenced in 2005 to six years in prison for
manslaughter. The report said that five of the ten programmes where
teenagers died are still operating, sometimes under different names. Between
10,000 and 20,000 American children attend the camps every year. Some charge
as much as $450 (£225) a day.
Mr Kutz said that the programmes marketed appealing outdoor experiences to
“desperate parents”, who are often trying to keep their children out of jail
or from getting into deeper trouble.
Paul Lewis said that his son, Ryan, 14, committed suicide six years ago after
one week at a West Virginia boot camp. “To turn your son over to someone
else and hope they’re going to love and protect your child was naive on my
part. We thought \ was an answer to our prayers. It turned out to be a
living nightmare.”
Republican and Democrat members of the committee reacted with outrage and
dismay at the report and the parents’ often tearful testimony. They called
for new laws that would regulate the boot camps, some of which are not even
licensed.
In Panama City, Florida, seven guards and a nurse are on trial over Martin Lee
Anderson’s death. The opening day was so traumatic for his mother, Gina
Jones, that she ran from the courtroom, sobbing and shouting “I cannot take
it.”
Prosecutors say that the guards suffocated the boy by covering his mouth,
making him inhale ammonia. The guards and nurse each face up to 30 years in
jail if convicted.
Boot-camp fatalities
— A 15-year-old girl collapsed of dehydration while hiking in 1990 and lay
dead on road for 18 hours
— A 15-year-old boy refused to return to camp in 2000. He was forcibly
restrained and died of a severed artery - ruled a homicide
— A 14-year-old boy punished for asking to go home in 2001 was made to sit in
the desert, then left in bath to recuperate - later died
— A 14-year-old boy complained of thirst in 2002, was left in sun for an hour
and stopped breathing and died. Staff thought he was faking
Source: Government Accountability Office
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I was in ABR (Arizona boys ranch) 1985-1987 and this kind of stuff was going on even then. I was at the main campus which couldn't hold a candle to the level of abuse the satellite "conservation" program carried out against such as Nicholas Contreras long after I had left. Most of the kids there weren't gangbangers or felons - (those types were sent to such places as Adobe Mountain) just troubled kids who did petty crimes, ran away from home and the like; I was there because they felt I was incorrigible, I had been in scores of foster/boys homes since age 4 when my mother died (don't make CPS out as saviors), I tell you that there were many who were at the ranch who had it far worse but during my time there I had been held down while being kicked in the side by another staff who was smiling while he did this. Another time put in a full Nelson hold and my neck sprained and my eyes turned bloodshot. It was under the pretense of restraint but I had been sitting calmly in a chair.
NJG, Chandler, AZ, USA
Having been through many forms of rigorous military training, I feel that I was treated far better than the descriptions of life in these camps. I was not an angel as a child; I nearly went to proison twice but I did not need to be treated this way to change my life. This is reprehensible and it is growing evidence that our society only gives lip service to the welfare of our children
James, Western end, South Dakota, USA
and America is a land of milk and honey. lol . its a country thats lacking in leadership and parentage.
kannan, kathmandu, nepal
Since '91 I've been a therapist with inpatient & outpatient facilities for troubled kids & boot camp programmes. I have seen problem behaviors by ignorant & sometimes mean staff members, but I've seen far more benefit come to the kids who've been through the programmes. The staff are in a dangerous environment, often surrounded by convicted gangsters looking for a chance to seriously hurt staff. I would like to see the stats for all the staff who have been hurt in attacks in these places. I have been kicked, gouged, had my eye blackened, my clothes ripped, & locked myself in a patient room for my own safety during a riot. While there is no excuse for staff who are cruel, we must also hear from the kids who've benefited lest we overreact. and throw out good programmes because of these tragedies. ISCOOL is a doofus for portraying this as a race problem b/c this vic was black. The kids who benefit or suffer are of all races. A national standard for these programmes must be created.
BB, Benton, AR
Did any of you notice that Bush wants military schools?
How is this different than the brain washing that is done in the "Muslim countries"?
Be a Phophet for Peace for Profit.
Profit of all Humankind.
Hitler killed himself.
Saddam was hung by his people.
Bush should hang his head, apoligize and beg mercy
from people on both sides of the "conflict" he and his
"good 'ol boys" created.
Perhaps I don't remember correctly...
but did Iraq ever invade us or bomb us?
Hmmmm?
Stark gave the stark truth and reality.
Something the "good 'ol boys" avoid. They do NOT
want to be in the light.
Queen Well Done Rizzzo, Lakeport, USA/CA
I have a 14yr old son who I am having problems with and have concidered Boot Camp, Thank God I was informed of the going ons, He will NOT be going, I will figure something else out. To lose my son completely would tear my heart out. Boot Camp? No, Thank You!!
Diane, St.Paul, MN
I turned my 17 y/o son for stealing the family car hoping to teach him a lesson. What I did was put his life in the hands of the state, now they can do pretty much whatever they want.
The gave him probation, fines, alcohol and drug assessment, family foundation, anger management,
Hes complied with anger m. He wont go to school... I have to miss work to take him back and forth to court.....
Because he wont do CS........................ now they are threating oregon youth authority.....I dont know what the heck to do, they also gave him fines in which they are requesting that I pay it.........Im the dam victim and parent!
Mona, Medford, Oregon
I cannot believe these guards and the nurse were all acquitted -- oh wait, nevermind, yes I can. An all-white jury in an area known for strict conservatism and "standing by the law" (whatever that means) no matter what? Okay, I believe it. But it makes me sick and it breaks my heart. R.I.P., Martin, as well as all of other the other youths who have died in places like this that deceptively led their families on to believe that they would actually help these kids get better.
Liz, NY, USA
It is sad, and it really does make me understand why so many other countries hate us...I hate us to. We are suppose to be the "best" country yet are adults and children are over weight, we still have vast inequalities for minorties, we have rampant sexual abusers working in the school systems and molesting our kids and these camps. High levels of proverty, crime and hunger. Unequal justices for the masses yet we have the nerve to tell other countries how they should live. disgusting.
ATaylor, Westland, MI
if the USA is such a horrible place then why are thousands upon thousands or illegal immigrants streaming across the border every single night? if America is such a horrible place then why are so many people fighting to get in or stay here.?
Kevin, Sweetwater, Tx
A carbon copy of the methods used in Irak, before and after the occupation, read Bravo 2 Zero, by Mcnab.
One look at these thugs should tell the parents all they need to know, 250 -300 lb men to control kids? Do the parents get a tour before they sign up? These thugs are clearly totally unsuitable to deal with kids. If they pay $450 a day and the kids get 50 cents worth of food, huge profits are being made. Which is what it is about of course.
The US has a short and violent history, the genocide of the Native Americans, slavery (you could get away with killing a black man right until the 60's in the South) the theft of Texas from Mexico, the Civil War. The 'interventions' in South and Central America, to mention a few.
Now we have the regular mass murders of students in schools.
USA does does a lot of good in the world, and is still reviled for it, but they need to get their house in order, too much freedom, too much corruption, too much violence, breeding more violence.
billcarr, turku, finland
America is the dead dream. Today USA is the model of what not to do. Hitler was no exemple for them, they can be worse.
Europe and Russia are more a future, USA is the decline of humanity. Money is no more king, democracy is a misued word, politicians are an hypocritical race of terrorists with no self respect.
Boldo, Melbourne, Australia
The system that tells teenagers that their parents have no say over what they do, and at the same time can bring charges against the parent if they punish the child, does not allow the parent to properly provide the influence that is required in a young person's life.
A child may NEED a "slap in the face" or even a spanking when they really deserve it. It is called consequences for your actions.
However, today if you simple grab a child by the arm when they are "throwing a tantrum", you can be brought up on ABUSE charges.
Yes, I know of numerous TRUE and disgusting cases of child abuse and neglect and those people (parents and guardians) should be punished.
Children should not be told that their parents can not even enforce house rules such as curfews and limit access to the TV, phone and Internet. There is too much garbage and too many bad things out there that our children can easily to lead to believe are not bad or harmful (read drugs, alcohol and pornography).
RDM, Ventura, CA
disgusting depraved...who looks after these kids? Death camp nazis?
jim, vancouver, Canada
So it's not just the American army which behaves like this; Oh....what a surprise!
USA is great
A.A, London, UK
To the one's who did this to this boy and to the one's who did the same to all of the other children...how can you live with yourselves? You are dispicable people!!! What if it was your son or daughter, then how would you feel? You make me ashamed to be from the same country, and sick to know there are people like you in this world!!!! I hope you get the maximum sentence and the same treatment in jail that you dealt to these poor kids!!
Michele, New York,
This is a horribly sad story and I hope the parents concerned will one day find peace and acceptance. It is awful that such camps preyed on a parent's desperation to keep their child out of trouble.
I am hoping that both UK and US society will move to a model of good enough parenting that includes setting boundaries for children and not granting them every wish that runs through their heads but also doing so within some kind of loving family unit.
I think children are happier when they know their parents are running the show and that adults who have their best interests at heart will step in if need be and stop them hurting themselves or others.
B Blake, Leeds, UK
I am not surprised at all, a society does not only project its dark side overseas (abu ghraib among others), the dark side is present in the domestic arena too. I dont know that the solution is but clearly something needs to be done, perhaps schools and parents should be allowed more room to instill moderate discipline, thereby negating the need to send children to abu ghraib. Or does the real solution lie in giving all American men an education in civilised behaviour?
James, London,
Abu Ghraib lite anyone?
Bill Bird, Wallasey, Wirral
This just appalls me, shame on America for doing this to your children.
It makes one think of what could be going on in Gitmo in this light, and makes various claims about soldier abuse in Iraq, etc. seem probable.
Sean R, Dublin, Ireland
These people who keep bashing on the parents do't begin to have a clue. The fact of the matter is that in the police state that our country is quickly becoming, the authorities have more legal right to your children than you do as parents.
In fact, if any parent were to be found "disciplining" a quarrelsome young person in the fashion that these so-called "boot-camps" do, they would be arrested and jailed.
Our societies police departments teach our children that they do not have to listen to their parents. In fact, at age 16 in New York state, a parent really hasn't much legal say in where or hopw their child lives. A time, frankly, when they need parenting the most.
If you think that the fault lies only with the parents, you're either young, naive or just plain ignorant.
Robert Kriegar, Penn Yan, NY
Were that happening in a country which considers itself highly civilized and educated?
ram, Pamp, Philippines
can not beleive this is USA......
citizen, Tornoto, Canada
WOw! I never knew such horrific programs of discipline for teenagers goes in America. I thought your laws prohibit corporal punishment, but instead you've used other forms of human torture to discipline young people.
mark, Las Piñas,
I cannot under stand how a parent can send there child to a place like "boot camp." I have been through the real thing and it was nothing like the experiences decribed in this story. Parents must take into account there inability to raise a child and short comings as a parent before they send there children to a place like this. Parents must also think about the impact of there decisoins before they make them. Yes these "boot camp" instructors are bad people but what does that say about you as a parent when you send your child there. Just think about that for a minute.
thomas sullivan, newport news, VA
Parents should raise their own children.
Parents should have a village and be very careful of whom participates in their village because some adults need these bootcamps. Where is GOD in this? The cosequences of sin can be very painful. The bible tells us to train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he won't depart from it.
What training are your children getting as babies? It all starts in the home 4 years old is too late and it requires alot of time and attention. Love is an action word and it requires much action not abuse or neglect. I personally believe that GOD blessed us with children and we are being graded on how well we do, even if they make a mistake we need to handle it for ourselves and never give up. Sending a child away when in trouble makes them feel less loved at home they are our responsibility and no one elses, though we as parents don't always make right decisions for our children the best I have to offer is read and follow GODS plan
Tibbs, Savannah, GA
It's amazing that so many businesses are over regulated yet businesses that abuse kids/people are often not regulated at all. These boot camps should be closed and before any can be reopened the ENTIRE STAFF should undergo background checks and investigations to see if they have a criminal history or history of abuse. It seems as if the staff members are sadistic and truly enjoy beating teenagers!! What a disgrace this country has allowed to take place under the guise of "helping troubled teens" - help them into early death or lasting psychological damages. .
Gerry, Derby, KS
I can not believe that these places are not being put under investigation, and closed down. They are also falsely advertising. Thanks for printing this. Where are our constitutional rights.
Autumn, Anytown, Illinois
boots camps are criminals pretending to be human. They always , it seems believe the kids are faking weakness and illness because they want to believe they are bad, but no matter how bad they are, they can never measure up to the sadistic, cruel, inhuman things that are done to them, and if they live through it , have no trust or respect left for any adults, boot camps for kids should never have been allowed in the first place, and they should definitely ALL be closed!
citizen, akron, ohio
I do hope laws have been passed, and a method of overlooking these camps is in place. This is just horrible.
A great nephew of mine hit problems as a teen. His mother sent him to a camp, thinking it was the best. He had some bad experiences, including being forced to dig his own grave that has haunted him for years.
Betty, Houston, , Texas
Thank you, Endgame, for this important info.
Florida's appalling 'not guilty' verdict clearly shows rampant corruption. A 14-year old died in the hands of the state. Period.
To the Georgia poster, not true that 75% of parents are uninvolved. Public schools begin indoctrinatin young children with the idea that they need not put their trust in their parents by encouraging them to go to 'a responsible adult', naming parents LAST, a subtle message more harmful than MTV and video games. Examine movies produced by Disney - icon in family viewing. How often are parents featured as main characters or sources of guidance? Rarely.
Actively involved parents are often excoriated if their involvement is inconvenient for schools - where parents who challenge curriculum, procedures, treatment run the real risk of school reaction spilling out on their children.
Stop demonizing parents and put them back in control; reduce state overreach via the public school system into families.
sunrose, Mainstreet, US
When parents cannot take the time to see what their children are doing, nor take the time to take action and disclipline them then the state comes in. Majority are low income, gang and drugs are also involved. Then when the action is taken and Lord forbid an injury does happen, it is sue time. They did this and that, but the parents did not do what they should of done. I am not saying it is right to kill or hurt a child but let it go and take action from this happening again.
Lola Mcbride, lakelan, fl,
To EndGame:
Child Protection Services may have saved my life. My father was abusive, and they took me away and placed me in a boarding facility. It was the best thing that could have happened to me. I am now a college graduate and own my own business. Thank goodness for CPS and the kind caseworker who called me *daily* (sometimes more than once) to make sure that I would end up in the best situation possible. She wasn't perfect, I'm sure, but she was an extremely compassionate woman who wanted the best for me - a far cry from my abusive father and apathetic mother.
Also, these kid boot camps are an atrocity. Thankfully my father was too cheap to hire an institution to abuse me in his place. My so-called "behavioral problems" that only manifested themselves around my parents disappeared as soon as I was in a more supportive environment. I wonder how many of these kids would urn out just fine it they had the emotional support and protection that all kids need.
Lisa, Chicago, USA
its sad when you read post of other americans saying people of color need to stop screaming racism , I wish it could be denied but even within our own judicial system it is blatant that there is a difference in how minorities are judged and sentenced. its easy to bury our heads in the sand and say there is no difference but there clearly is and now it is more in the face of minorities and no one seems to care. that it is weakening our country and not to mention dividing people. people of color are tired of this open racism and i cant see it getting better until we fight together not just a million black men marching i mean americans standing together and saying this is wrong. i spoke to a friend of mine and expressed hoplessness, any time it takes a million black people to get the attention of a few and still not be taken seriously except as a threat is a shame.
iscool, florrisant, mo
This is our great Western Civilization compared to those backwards Muslims...
stanzler, ny, usa
Jeb Bush was governor of Florida when Martin Lee Anderson was murdered. With as little knowledge of Jeb Bush's family as he has of Martin Lee Anderson's family, would Bruce, Small Town, Georgia, damn Jeb Bush for his daughter Noel's frequent brushes with the law? Does anyone believe that the consequences for eight guards taking turns physically abusing Noel Bush would have ended in acquittals? Does anyone believe that Jeb Bush would have raged only to seek a monetary settlement if anyone had laid a hand on his daughter while she was incarcerated?
Susan, Wealthy Town, FL
At least 75% of these kids end up in trouble due to the parent(s) lack of involvement in raising their children. Our kids only live up to what we expect of them and that expectation takes genuine, unceasing, hard work on the part of the parent. Unfortunately for 14 year old boy that is running afoul of the police and our system of laws it's his parent(s) that have failed him - not the state. The parent that screams the loudest about their child being hurt/killed in the Boot Camp needs to look in the mirror and see the person that put their own child in harms way. The real person who should have been in that Boot Camp was the parent. The Mother, and Father?, should have been on trial right along with the guards in that Boot Camp. Did she disclose the child's medical history prior to him entering; did she even know? We do not have a constitutional right to have the state raise or pay for the raising our children - it's our responsibility, not an opportunity for a settlement.
Bruce, Small Town, Georgia
Why are these boot camps not required by law to be licensced like other day care facilities and inspected? There should be criminal background checks on all staff at these boot camps. They should also be required to have on hand, psychologists and/or psychiatrists that work with the kids to improve their behavior not brute force, maltreatment, coercion or neglect.
It was wrong for the parties in Florida not to be found responsible for that 14 year olds death even if he was found to have a disease. He died earlier because of mistreatment.
Judy, Portland, Oregon
The above-mentioned trial in Panama City, FL ended today, and has resulted in a Not Guilty verdict.
Melanie Pennington, Panama City, FL (United States)
Is this America the land of the free and the brave what is this world coming too. We are suppose to protect our children and this is what happen's when we put so much trust in Boot Camp's,School's..etc.. trying to make our Children better.Our Children are the future but i guess we all dont feel that way. I feel for the families who lost a love one and i pray each day for a better and new day...
Lupe, San Diego, California
Reading this has made me feel sick to my stomach.
I think the people who run these places are sadists and bullies.
An "outward bound" type of camp could be a good idea but sending youngsters to a torture camp is immoral.
The sentences, for the people who've caused the deaths of children in their care at these places, should be appropriately severe.
Rosy Knight, Sheffield, UK
The saddest thing is that this kind of thing doesn't surprise me at all. Such things happened in the British borstals and it wouldn't surprise me if wasn't still going on today in Britain too. The important thing is to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice and punished appropriately as soon as possible.
Elliot Jones, Oslo, Norway
In my travels around the world, I have increasingly found that we US citizens, so far from being admired as the protector of the free world as our politicians and leaders imagine us to be, are regarded with contempt, suspicion and scorn.
It isn't hard to understand why when one considers what we have become. Arrogant, uncaring, aggressive, interfering and... obese.
Sooner or later this characterization must change or we can look forward to increasing emnity and hatred. It would be a good start for us to learn how to elect our governments more carefully.
Archie, San Francisco, California
Trust this same nation to instill discipline and order in Iraq?
Abu Ghraib may not have been the 'exception' after all.
Krish, Sydney, Australia
It is quite apparent that the USA is a brutally repressive country with a militarised culture. A place where people are so disaffected that taking their pent-up frustrations on innocent children is almost institutionalised.
In a hundred years, when the history books look back on the late 20th and early 21st centuries -- the ruination of Iraq, then Iran, complete with human rights abuses and secret torture camps around the world, non-stop fiddling with other countries internal affairs -- they will name us -- the USA and her Western allies -- as the despots.
John Wells, Shanghai, China
An Inconvenient Truth about Child Protective Services, Foster care, and the Child Protection "INDUSTRY"
CPS Does not protect children...
It is sickening how many children are subject to abuse, neglect and even killed at the hands of Child Protective Services.
every parent should read this .pdf from
connecticut dcf watch...
http://www.connecticutdcfwatch.com/8x11.pdf
http://www.connecticutdcfwatch.com
Number of Cases per 100,000 children in the US
These numbers come from The National Center on
Child Abuse and Neglect in Washington. (NCCAN)
Recent numbers have increased significantly for CPS
*Perpetrators of Maltreatment*
Physical Abuse CPS 160, Parents 59
Sexual Abuse CPS 112, Parents 13
Neglect CPS 410, Parents 241
Medical Neglect CPS 14 Parents 12
Fatalities CPS 6.4, Parents 1.5
Imagine that, 6.4 children die at the hands of the very agencies that are supposed to protect them and only 1.5 at the hands of parents per 100,000 children. CPS perpetrates more abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse and kills more children then parents in the United States. If the citizens of this country hold CPS to the same standards that they hold parents too. No judge should ever put another child in the hands of ANY government agency because CPS nationwide is guilty of more harm and death than any human being combined. CPS nationwide is guilty of more human rights violations and deaths of children then the homes from which they were removed. When are the judges going to wake up and see that they are sending children to their death and a life of abuse when children are removed from safe homes based on the mere opinion of a bunch of social workers.
Currently Child Protective Services violates more civil rights on a daily basis then all other agencies combined, Including the NSA/CIA wiretaping program…
FOSTER CARE IS A 80 PERCENT FAILURE:. A Brief Analysis of the Casey Family Programs. Northwest Foster Care Alumni Study. By Richard Wexler
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:E2PcWEpNCD4J:www.nccpr.org/reports/cfpanalysis.doc
or for .doc
http://www.nccpr.org/reports/cfpanalysis.doc
HOW THE WAR AGAINST CHILD ABUSE BECAME A WAR AGAINST CHILDREN
http://www.nccpr.org/issues/1.html
A recent study has found that 12-18 months after leaving foster care:
30% of the nation’s homeless are former foster children.
27% of the males and 10% of the females had been incarcerated
33% were receiving public assistance
37% had not finished high school
2% receive a college degree
50% were unemployed
*Casey Family Programs National Center for Resource Family Support
Children in foster care are three to six times more likely than children not in care to have emotional, behavioral and developmental problems, including conduct disorders, depression, difficulties in school and impaired social relationships. Some experts estimate that about 30% of the children in care have marked or severe emotional problems. Various studies have indicated that children and young people in foster care tend to have limited education and job skills, perform poorly in school compared to children who are not in foster care, lag behind in their education by at least one year, and have lower educational attainment than the general population.
*Casey Family Programs National Center for Resource Family Support
80 percent of prison inmates have been through the foster care system.
The highest ranking federal official in charge of foster care, Wade Horn of the Department of Health and Human Services, is a former child psychologist who says the foster care system is a giant mess and should just be blown up.
http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=2017991
This study found thousands of children already in foster care who would have done better had child protection agencies not taken them away in the first place.
Front-page story in USA Today.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-07-02-foster-study_N.htm?csp=34#Close
The full study is available here.
http://www.mit.edu/~jjdoyle/doyle_fosterlt_march07_aer.pdf
The bottom line? - the foster care system nationwide for the most part turns out young adults that are nothing more than walking wreckage...
EndGame, Phoenix, USA
Years ago I visited the site of one of these "decarceration" facilities in Arizona. It was run by a firm called "VisionQuest". The operators of the "programme" took public funds in order to "help" wards of the court and other troubled youth.
I was appalled at the lack of staff training, (not one of them had a university degree or previous experience working with youth), the facilities, (filthy staff restrooms with flooded floors, staff living in smoke-filled trailers, while youth slept outside in sleeping bags which no doubt cost the US taxpayer hundreds of dollars each), and the general attitude (no sign of efforts towards rehabilitation).
The operators of that "programme" were connected to local officials in the juvenile justice system, so there was no possibility of any complaints being taken seriously despite a death at one of the "camps".
I left the facility having had a glimpse into the private-prison system (albeit for youths) that the corporatist state has spawned.
Bernard King, Hong Kong,
This story is horrific. Would these people find it acceptable to treat an adult in such a fashion?
I also find the comments of the previous poster extremely inappropriate.
Sonny, London, UK
There are programs that are run correctly and do produce astounding results. I know this first hand. It is a shame that their image is tarnished by the others. There is a serious need for regulation and standards. I feel for the victims of these programs. They were in a desperate situation. Anyone considering a program like this should consult with qualified professionals first.
RG, Everytown, US
Wouldn't it be so great if we could put these kids onto some trains and send to some camps? And then, bye-bye.
Andrew Milner, Karuizawa, Nagano