Westridge & Other Schools(Formerly LDS Perceptions thread)

[_truth dancer]

Hi Eric,

I'm intereted in knowing how and why the state allows these sorts of institutions to even exist. I'm convinced most people know the techniques used and the abuse that takes place. I also believe that with the exception of a few, many (or at least some) supporters of the program believe they are helping.

It seems like people (parents and workers and those who turn a blind eye) go along with the program, as uncomfortable as they are with it because they think it will "work" or it is their only option, or it is what "problem" children need.

So, besides the various organizations proclaiming they are helping, and their marketing department's effective sales pitches (for licensing and parents), where is the actual documentation that they are helping? Is there any? What research (if any) are these facilities using to show they are actually improving the lives of these children? Or is the state just going with the claims of the institutions?

It seems to me the only "research" is from the actual orgs that promote their services.

Do you know of any long term research supporting or undermining these sorts of institutions? (I'm not talking about your run of the mill behavioral approach, or adult inmates, I'm thinking more of the specifics of the institutions).

I do believe all these sorts of facilities will eventually be shut down, the sooner the better in my opinion!

~td~

Also, I'm guessing you are familiar with CAICA (Coalition Against Institutionalized Child Abuse)

[_rcrocket]

Plaintiff: Tyler Elsey
Defendant: West Ridge Academy

Case Number: 2:2008cv00390
Filed: May 15, 2008

Summary

Plaintiff: John A. Rhodes
Defendant: Children and Youth Services, Inc., a Utah non-profit corporation dba Utah Boys Ranch


Case Number: 2:03cv00581
Filed: June 30, 2003


Summary

How compelling is one case that was dismissed against the plaintiff and another case that is just between two adult social workers there?

I find it rather telling that there are no judgments for assault or child abuse against an institution that has been functioning for years. Or at least what you have found.

My own search through Utah appellate and trial court records on WESTLAW did not reveal any judgments against the place for assault or sexual assault, but I'm not sure I understand the Utah filing system fully.

[_Yoda]

Why is it necessary to use a photo of me and my wife as your avatar? She doesn't consent. That photo is nowhere public.

OK...the image in Eric's avatar is very small. It is hard to distinguish faces. Are you just making some type of smart-assed comment here, or are you serious?

If you hadn't cried wolf so many times in the past, and done things like making faux-Mod comments, I would be more inclined to believe you.

Check your PM's, Bob. Let's get to the bottom of this, now.

Eric....if Bob is serious...that avatar picture needs to disappear...YESTERDAY.

[_harmony]

How compelling is one case that was dismissed against the plaintiff ...

Dismissed? Does it say why it was dismissed?

I find it rather telling that there are no judgments for assault or child abuse against an institution that has been functioning for years. Or at least what you have found.

My own search through Utah appellate and trial court records on WESTLAW did not reveal any judgments against the place for assault or sexual assault, but I'm not sure I understand the Utah filing system fully.

So... we are to understand that there are no court records for any abuse cases against this institution, prior to the 2008 case that was dismissed... not even one filed by GoodK. Hmmmm... Could there be no legal complaints made because there is no legal action about which to complain?

[_harmony]

Why is it necessary to use a photo of me and my wife as your avatar? She doesn't consent. That photo is nowhere public.

OK...the image in Eric's avatar is very small. It is hard to distinguish faces. Are you just making some type of smart-assed comment here, or are you serious?

If you hadn't cried wolf so many times in the past, and done things like making faux-Mod comments, I would be more inclined to believe you.

Check your PM's, Bob. Let's get to the bottom of this, now.

Eric....if Bob is serious...that avatar picture needs to disappear...YESTERDAY.

Hmmmm. Is this yet another example of GoodK's maturity level?

[_Jersey Girl]

How compelling is one case that was dismissed against the plaintiff and another case that is just between two adult social workers there?

I find it rather telling that there are no judgments for assault or child abuse against an institution that has been functioning for years. Or at least what you have found.

My own search through Utah appellate and trial court records on WESTLAW did not reveal any judgments against the place for assault or sexual assault, but I'm not sure I understand the Utah filing system fully.

crock,

Could you give us more specifics about the two cases? What were the complaints and what were the outcomes? I'm especially interested in the Tyler Elsey case. Why was it dismissed?

[_why me]

Why is it necessary to use a photo of me and my wife as your avatar? She doesn't consent. That photo is nowhere public.

OK...the image in Eric's avatar is very small. It is hard to distinguish faces. Are you just making some type of smart-assed comment here, or are you serious?

If you hadn't cried wolf so many times in the past, and done things like making faux-Mod comments, I would be more inclined to believe you.

Check your PM's, Bob. Let's get to the bottom of this, now.

Eric....if Bob is serious...that avatar picture needs to disappear...YESTERDAY.

Check bob's blog in his signature. That is him for sure or the similarities are amazing.

[_marg]

So, besides the various organizations proclaiming they are helping, and their marketing department's effective sales pitches (for licensing and parents), where is the actual documentation that they are helping? Is there any? What research (if any) are these facilities using to show they are actually improving the lives of these children? Or is the state just going with the claims of the institutions?

The day is too nice to spend on the computer so I'll keep it brief. These are 2 links that address your questions to some extent, other links I haven't kept. I have read about studies being done ..in particular comparing MST multisystemic therapy compared to other therapies with MST coming out as positively effective, while others don't compare nearly as well.

I'll write on a post on this, this week.


U.S. Department of Juvenile Justice

Multisystemic Therapy (MST) for Juvenile Offenders

As far as comment with regards to legal action..I have read on the Net that lawyers generally don't take these cases on, because youth make poor clients and the cases are too difficult/too financially risky for the lawyers.

W.Turley is a legal firm which has filed a lawsuit against WWASP back in 2006 and I don't think it's been resolved.

Do a search on Thomas F. Coleman and Majestic Ranch and you'll find despite about 4 employees describing terrible conditions at the place, it's still operating.

[_rcrocket]

Why is it necessary to use a photo of me and my wife as your avatar? She doesn't consent. That photo is nowhere public.

OK...the image in Eric's avatar is very small. It is hard to distinguish faces. Are you just making some type of smart-assed comment here, or are you serious?

If you hadn't cried wolf so many times in the past, and done things like making faux-Mod comments, I would be more inclined to believe you.

Check your PM's, Bob. Let's get to the bottom of this, now.

Eric....if Bob is serious...that avatar picture needs to disappear...YESTERDAY.

That is a photo of my wife and me at the Getty Villa Museum in Malibu; I am one of the Getty Trust's attorneys and this was taken at the grand VIP re-opening of the museum recently. This picture is posted on my Facebook; I don't know enough of Facebook to figure out how he got it.

Really, I can't control what attacks GoodK wants to make against me, but my wife isn't part of this equation.

I can't communicate through PM because I turned off that feature due to GoodK's extortion attempts communicated through them. Threatening to expose me on this or that thing. Etc. Completely false claims that I was sending him PMs.

[_rcrocket]

How compelling is one case that was dismissed against the plaintiff ...

Dismissed? Does it say why it was dismissed?

I find it rather telling that there are no judgments for assault or child abuse against an institution that has been functioning for years. Or at least what you have found.

My own search through Utah appellate and trial court records on WESTLAW did not reveal any judgments against the place for assault or sexual assault, but I'm not sure I understand the Utah filing system fully.

So... we are to understand that there are no court records for any abuse cases against this institution, prior to the 2008 case that was dismissed... not even one filed by GoodK. Hmmmm... Could there be no legal complaints made because there is no legal action about which to complain?

GoodK's own analysis of these two cases is here and here. My only understanding of these cases is what he says.

What he says about the first case is legal gobbledygook, but if I were to guess and interpret from a lay analysis, it could be that the plaintiff failed to first file an administrative complaint first before filing a lawsuit. Typically there would be no impediment to cure this defect; just file the administrative complaint.

The second lawsuit is a dispute between two adults at the facility. I think it rather deceptive to cite this case as evidence of abuse against minors. Every institution of any significance has human interaction problems leading in some case to claims of sexual harrassment. My own law firm.

And, yes, my search through Utah state filings show no lawsuit brought by Eric Norwood.