Gay Talk

[_Ray A]

I don't know who Steve Cartisano is, but I'm looking at the "philosophy" behind some of these "correctional facilities".

"Break the kids down and build them back up."


That's the philosophy of Utah native Steve Cartisano, often called the godfather of wilderness therapy treatment. When the former military special forces officer and Brigham Young University dropout founded a company called Challenger in 1988, it took off like a rocket, grossing $3.2 million in its first year and spawning several imitators.


Cartisano apparently hit upon the idea of intimidating tough kids into submission through outdoor survival while studying communications at Brigham Young University in the mid-1980s. Some say he borrowed the concept from a former BYU professor, Larry Dean Olsen, who eventually left the BYU faculty in the 1970s to help start another therapy school, the nonprofit Anasazi Foundation.


But while Olsen gave teens choices in the wild so they could learn from mistakes, Cartisano applied what he liked to call "street smarts' to problem kids: Strip searches and military haircuts. He adopted a drill-sergeant style of speech which required "Yes sir!" answers. Rules were strict and heavily enforced - a girl caught saying "I'm sorry" instead of "I apologize" would be punished by carrying a football-sized chunk of cow manure all day in her backpack. A boy caught eating raw oatmeal instead of cooking it would have his oatmeal ration taken away. Good behavior for Challenger students was rewarded with canned peaches, raisins or cinnamon.


By many accounts, Cartisano got results. The rich and famous flocked to the school: Satisfied customers included the Winthrop Rockefeller family of Arkansas, who placed a daughter and later a son in Cartisano's programs. Iran-Contra conspirator Oliver North visited a Challenger camp in southern Utah during the summer of 1989.


But the high-profile, big-profit days of Challenger ended in 1990 when Kristin Chase, a Florida teen on her fourth day in the program, stumbled during a hike on Utah's scorching Kaiparowits Plateau and collapsed. Revived once, she hallucinated, fell and died, according to authorities. Because of a partially inoperable radio, it took two hours before professional medical help arrived.


Cartisano and Challenger were charged with negligent homicide and nine misdemeanor counts of child abuse. The company soon filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy after falling more than $1 million into debt. While Cartisano was acquitted of all criminal charges in Chase's death in 1992, the national publicity spawned a slew of civil suits against his company. Seven federal suits alleging negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, fraud and breach of contract were filed August 1989 and November 1993. All were settled out of court.


Cartisano was subsequently banned from operating any child treatment program in Utah and later in Hawaii, where another version of Challenger faltered in 1990. He later orchestrated similar programs in Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. None were ever licensed; each left behind a trail of angry parents and unpaid bills.


Cartisano's latest venture was working as a supervisor of a dormitory for American Indian students on a reservation in Oklahoma. But late last year, when a Bureau of Indian Affairs officer read a magazine article about wilderness therapy that featured Cartisano's history and photograph, Cartisano was fired.


His philosophy has continued to flourish, however. Two former employees who testified against him in return for immunity from prosecution went on to found an outdoor survival school. Decrying Cartisano's allegedly abusive ways, Bill Henry and Lance Jaggar were licensed by Utah officials and began operating a teen wilderness program in 1992. Called North Star Expeditions, it's the same outfit that is now accused of negligence in the death of Aaron Bacon.

[_moksha]

I didn't realise the Mormon connection to Evergreen until Eric mentioned it.

Not even with the Clockwork Orange undertones?

Oh wait, you said Evergreen. Sorry, I was thinking of BYU.


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[_Ray A]

I've been travelling around the Net to various forums and commentary, and some believe that something like this couldn't happen without a wide knowledge of it among people associated with such institutions. However, check out some of the comments from the thread I linked earlier about Steve Cartisano.

From a worker in this "industry":

Parents should never settle for the word of a charismatic stranger, or a flashy brochure to place their child in a treatment center...they need to do intensive research and walk a mile in the shoes that their child will walk in...to make a good decision.

From someone who was at Cartisano's camp:

I was in this camp exactly at this time...It was as much as BS as they state - Yes they had newscasters follow us in as our "run in" was being watched by the Sheriff Dept. but do you honestly think any kid at that time would say anything bad when they are finally letting you out? Ask any kid now for the real story.

From a worker there:

I worked for Challenger almost from beginning to end. As far as the program goes, it distresses me that all who worked for Challenger are dumped in the same category. I'm sure each student and staff who went through the program had their own unique experience. I've read and heard of some truly horrific things that may of happened. As for me, and the counselors and staff I worked with, you could not find a team more dedicated to helping the youth they worked with each day. Nothing was more fulfilling than to watch a student find out who they truly where within and the self esteem and strength that comes from finding yourself. I loved those children I worked with as much as I love my own children today. I still wonder where a lot of them are and certainly hope they are living happy, fulfilling lives. As for me personally, the time I spent there will forever be ingrained in my mind as one of the best growing experiences of my life.

From another who was there:

I will some what agree - the staff members that were good were good - now there were some harsh mean ones too...BUT for most part I really liked all the ones I was with most of all Steve and Valynn - I had some good times but it was not something I would ever wish upon any child ;-)

I want everyone to know that not all counslers were bad like Steve and some other head honchos.

From someone who was 15 when at the camp:

There were many counselors who had wonderful intentions and kind hearts, but there were others who were there, who were simply thrilled and and sadistically so, in the power they held over us. There was one counselor, i think his name was Robby and another who i think was named leslie ( Robby didn't like me much) but... i truly believe that if he or she knew what some of the other counselors were doing, they would have turned them in, and protected us with their life. He was a good man. She was a good woman........

Our journals were monitored, if we wrote anything negative, we were told we would not be allowed to go home. When i look back on these journals now, i wish i had written the truth about that stuff, and not just the truth about how that day was, or who was argueing..or what we didn't eat. my books are filled with poems that i wrote, that when i read them, i can actually remember where i was when i wrote them. im shocked at the detail i put in for being only 15 at the time.

I don't think that abuse like this will necessarily always be so obvious to everyone in places like this.

[_Ray A]

Not even with the Clockwork Orange undertones?

Oh wait, you said Evergreen. Sorry, I was thinking of BYU.

Here's part of the Mission Statement:

Evergreen is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but we sustain the doctrines and standards of the Church without reservation or exception. Our Board of Trustees usually includes one or more emeritus General Authorities and we continue to build relationships with Area Presidencies and other Church leaders. Upon request, we provide training to hundreds of stake and ward leaders each year.

And from one testimonial:

"I am just now making the connection with my own situation. The miracle of my recovery may take a long time. It may be gradual. It may not ever take me to a point I think I really want to be in terms of no homosexual desires at all, and no remnants of homosexual thoughts ever. Even straight people have inappropriate thoughts, don't they? But that doesn't mean that the miracle won't happen in other ways that can be just as wonderful. And, whatever faith and effort it takes to bring about the miracle -- whatever that miracle may mean in my life -- will be worth it."

Goooooooooood luck.

[_marg]

I just finished listening to your interview Eric with radio station http://www.krcl.org/. It was very well done. You were excellent. You listened to the interviewer's questions and addressed them well. Chris Wade did as well. And the interviewer was very good, asked excellent questions. I finally got a sense of what was going on at the Ranch when it was explained that it was mainly security and work crew personnel who were abusive, occasionally a few other staff. I think as Chris said, (I believe) "they made you feel like crap". By breaking down kid's wills the rest of the staff would have an easier time, so they were motivated to allow the abuse to go on.

[_harmony]

Not that I think the ranch should stay in business, but this is America. Even evil people get a chance at a fair trial, where they get to tell their side of the story.

I wonder what they would say? And I wonder why they aren't in court yet, saying it?

[_marg]

Not that I think the ranch should stay in business, but this is America. Even evil people get a chance at a fair trial, where they get to tell their side of the story.

I wonder what they would say? And I wonder why they aren't in court yet, saying it?

Why isn't who in court and saying what?

[_Moniker]

I'm proud of you, Eric. Don't let anyone discourage you. You tell your side. Scream it, write it, speak it, and don't worry about the "other side". It's your story to tell. I'm so sorry that you went through a trauma and watched others endure trauma. I believe what you're relating and I believe in you. It's not your fault that any of this happened.

You do what you have to do (whatever it is) to make yourself whole.

You are damn brave!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkogKAZG ... re=related

[_marg]

Not that I think the ranch should stay in business, but this is America. Even evil people get a chance at a fair trial, where they get to tell their side of the story.

I wonder what they would say? And I wonder why they aren't in court yet, saying it?

Here is a quote from Phil Elberg a lawyer who has successfully sued on behalf on individuals abused in behavior modification schools. He mentions if legislation passes it may help individuals to sue but I seem to remember reading elsewhere on the Net where he explains that the legislation which did pass fell short of being helpful to individuals legally.

http://cafety.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=562&Itemid=2

Few attorneys are willing to take these cases. "The victims don't make attractive plaintiffs," says Elberg, "They are considered damaged goods going in. If they are still in terrible trouble afterwards, they are not the kind of people jurors want to give money. If they are better, the facility takes credit." Victims are also often unable to recognize the nature of their injury until the statute of limitations has passed.

And because the programs are often located in states or even countries with high unemployment that look favorably upon the programs as economic engines, getting favorable judgments is difficult. Suits brought in the state or country where the program operates are often defeated by jurors and judges who support the program because it employs their neighbors and they see the victims as liars with no local ties. Jurisdictional problems also abound. In some cases, it's difficult to determine where to sue—because the victim lives in one state, the program is located in another, and the people who actually profit from it somewhere else entirely.

The new legislation, however, could level the playing field. It contains a private "right of action" which allows attorneys to recover their fees if they sue these programs on behalf of teens and their families. This would make these cases far more attractive than they are now: Attorneys wouldn't need a large judgment to recoup their losses, only one that favors their side. "If this legislation passes, I would have no hesitation in devoting my entire practice to these cases," says Elberg.

Edit: The private "right of action" didn't pass as part of the legislation http://cafety.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=558&Itemid=95

[_harmony]

Every movement needs a leader, someone who's been there, done that, has the scars to prove it. There is no law that cannot be changed. Stomp, scream, shriek, but don't lose sight of the prize, which is shutting it down. And to do that, you gotta put on the suit and tie and walk up the steps, testify in front of the judge, and put evil in jail. Otherwise, it's all just noise.