is one of the Founders of Provo Canyon School. During my six month stay at PCS after months of fighting against the system, I realized that in order to leave this place, I was going to have to stop rebelling and pretend to toe the line. Provo Canyon School was a member of NATSAP and had been since 2005. No recreational reading was allowed, only homework. NOTE: The note explaining the students absence must be received by the House Office within 3 school days of the student returning to school and must include the students name and ID number and the date(s) of the absence(s). After I was told that even though I was now following the strict order of the school, I was still going to be staying for another six months, I decided that I was going to run. Six women who went to Provo Canyon School between 2003 and 2017 told The Salt Lake Tribune similar stories of being overmedicated, restrained and punished for minor infractions while at PCS. We would have to walk in lines like soldiers. This girl did not have behavioral problems so far as I could see. The food was inedible to the extent that I became a vegan because the meat looked rotten and I was terrified to eat it. Paula Dauro said her granddaughter was hit with a baton when the sophomore was trying to help the student who was shocked with a stun gun. Personal illness (parent note required). Some staff members who disliked me would take away my points for no reason at all. There were scratch marks on the wall and smeared blood. She later worked as the Director of Outreach and Business Development at, (a CEDU school) from 2018-2019. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. She explains how the staff physically and psychologically abused her and the other students. He then worked as the Program Director of the Oakley School, a reportedly abusive Aspen Education Group program. However, parents are encouraged to check the Focus Parent Portalregularly to monitor student attendance and grades. Determination of excused and unexcused absences lies with the House principal. This upset my Grandfather to no end, but other members of my family believed this was part of a treatment plan. She was sent there by her family after running away from 3 CEDU programs: CEDU High School, Ascent Wilderness, and the Cascade School. This company, once the nations largest operator of psychiatric hospitals and treatment centers, would own PCS for the next 14 years. They attempted to prosecute, but no one was interested in the case. It had this big thick door. The organizers of the #BCS movement, including Paris Hilton, even organized a, on October 9th 2020, which had many survivors from various programs in attendance. NBC 5 News. Once a month I would attend treatment plan meetings where I would be put into a room with many hateful adults (psychiatrists, therapists, and staff members), most of which had no direct dealings with me whatsoever. If the district wants to rebuild any trust with the community, officials should insist on paying legal fees and not blame students for what went wrong, Reeves said. Most of their social workers assigned to the children are interns with no clinical experience whatsoever prior to their employment other than their schooling. Lloyd Reeves, who has a son at Little Elm High, said the negligence shown by administrators is phenomenal. During the long tedious hours at the school I had written in a journal many poems dealing with being raped, and these were read publicly and then tossed into a trashcan for being inappropriate. I was punished for writing them. My parents had no idea what I was experiencing at these schools because there was no way for me to communicate to them. I was closely watched as I used the toilet or showered, and ridiculed by staff members who were annoyed that they had to watch me so closely. If a resident breaks any of the rules at PCS, they are punished severely. This is all in my past now, but I am haunted by the fact that as I type, thousands of children are sitting in Provo or some other program scared and alone, wondering what they ever did to deserve the abuse they are suffering through. Apparently the detective who investigated this for one week, and the Utah Valley District Attorney do not believe these acts are abuse. "And while he pepper sprayed him, he wasnt aiming and it went everywhere. Observation is PCSs nickname for solitary confinement. Brent Esplin worked at Provo Canyon School as a Therapist and the Admissions Director from 2007 until 2012. December 18, 2021 / 4:09 PM They control everyone by FORCE and THREATS- staff and students alike. If I ran out of homework, I was to face the wall or sit quietly without moving, or my points would be lost for the hour. I believe it was Lorna and Danielle that called me on it. At least one officer is holding a baton. Schools Superintendent Daniel Gallagher opened the listening session by saying there is an appropriate way to protest at the district, which was the case during a student-led demonstration last year. I have never in my life been diagnosed with schizophrenia. I actually had a great stash of all kinds of shit too (and Im not talking candy), but I wont say how, just in case some girl there now is using the same hiding spot, I dont want some staff who reads these things to go bust them. It was reinstated in 1987. worked as Provo Canyon Schools Director of Business Development. Jack Williams is one of the Founders of Provo Canyon School. similar stories of being overmedicated, restrained and punished for minor infractions while at PCS. has worked at Provo Canyon School since 1998 in various roles, including Therapist, Executive Clinical Director, Director of Admissions, and Executive Director. WWASP is a notoriously abusive organization which owned many behavior-modification programs which were shut down due to countless instances of extreme abuse and neglect. I remember being given up to seven medications at once. I had been the victim of rape, and consequently developed eating disorders, depression, suicidal tendencies, and a serious drug habit in response to the emotional turmoil I was in. They attempted to prosecute, but no one was interested in the case. Our human, civil, and Constitutional rights were violated, and we were abused physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I was closely watched as I used the toilet or showered, and ridiculed by staff members who were annoyed that they had to watch me so closely. They say true love conquers all, I just took everyone into my heart, both staff and students. I had no clothing while in obs, wore none, it was reallly cold and I slept on the concrete floor. behavior-modification program that was founded in 1971. They would character assassinate me and berate me until I was in tears. Now Im an artist and a musician. Anonymous (Fornits), 9/13/2004: (SURVIVOR) My name is Amie Ashcraft. To my dismay upon my arrival, this place was nothing like the brochure! Many of them had no interest in getting better and exposed me to things I should have and would have never been exposed to had it not been for the failings of this facility. I found a flimsy plastic fence on one side of the property, and in seconds I had dug a hole and crawled underneath it until was on the other side of it, tumbling down a cliff into a muddy ravine. Her granddaughter has bruises on her ribs and arms, she said. Students leaving due to illness must be checked out through the Front Office by a parent, guardian or emergency contact. She was then sent to a floor called investment which was essentially solitary confinement and returned months later heavily medicated and completely broken. Video Shows Police Respond To Student 'Disruption' During 'Planned Demonstration' At Little Elm High School (Credit: Twitter/briangomesss). Some of them may die as a result from severe abuse. It is sickening that these facilities and their parent companies are profiting off the abuse of children and I will vow to help ensure these schools are held accountable and the children are safe and taken care of the way I wish I could have been. , On July 16th 2004 My father committed suicide by shooting himself at our house. It is reported that these restraints are often used very excessively, and typically result in the child be severely injured. I was certainly troubled but I clearly did not belong. Here is my story as I remember it to the best of my ability. He also worked at PCS for many years as the Medical Director. Its still ol Rob Crist and his crew They tried to convince me I had ran away from home when I never did. Other survivors told me that she would brag to them that she was the one who broke Paris Hilton. It is difficult to remember everything that happened because I have tried to block these memories out to protect myself. Wade Taylor has worked as a Therapist at Provo Canyon Schools boys program since 2001. Six women who went to Provo Canyon School between 2003 and 2017 told. This would eventually lead to the closing of the facilitys parent company, Charter Medical Corporation (not to be confused with Charter Medical, a pharmaceutical company). Other survivors told me that she would brag to them that she was the one who broke Paris Hilton. It is difficult to remember everything that happened because I have tried to block these memories out to protect myself. The staff at Provo targeted me. All communication with parents is heavily restricted and monitored. Not harassment and behavior modification. I have been trying to contact as many people and agencies as possible in order to do what I can to shut the school down. Most of the time I was at Provo, I was made to sit upright in a chair against a wall. The Hadol in the hip bones, and the mean, downright vengeful sadistic staff. is one of the Founders of Provo Canyon School. We werent looking to get injured," Little Elm student DKenzie Gibbs said. The students were forced to wear sweatpants and were not allowed any of their personal items. I saw one girl with a broken leg, and one with a broken arm, but the injuries were always described in some vague manner, fell down the stairs or ran into the wall in P.E. No one seems to get it, these places dont just shut down soon as the media gets wind They change owners. Weekly was disappointed the school didnt give parents details right away. I attended the Mormon services once, and decided that I would rather stare at a wall than participate in the service. In the auditorium of Little Elm High School, where a planned protest spiraled out of control Nov. 19, the school district held a listening session for parents and students to express. I was on investment (the lowest level). For example, a Class II infraction may result in a few hours of Investment, whereas a Class III infraction may result in day to weeks in Investment. From 2012 until 2016 he worked as the Director of Intake at Provo Canyon Behavioral Hospital in Orem, UT. has been investigating civil rights violations at Provo Canyon School for years. Many survivors report widespread physical, sexual, and emotional abuse at PCS. Regular Board Meeting, 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM Police did not detail how the students may have assaulted the officers. Needless to say, I was high almost every weekend. I was not given a choice to take these medications, they were given to me and my mouth was checked, or I was given punishment or more time in Observation for refusing the medications. A few years later, two teens sent there by their home states juvenile justice system ran away one was from Alaska, the other from Nevada and sought protection from the federal courts. This poor child had been sexually traumatized since early child hood and did not deserve the negligence or abuse she received at PCS. Id like to see the corporate fat cats who run them behind bars. He currently works as the CEO of Universal Health Services Salt Lake Behavioral Health. How did I get through it? I was good at being supportive of my peers and was often used to try to get other girls to comply. Beginning with the 2020-21 school year, wrestling has been offered as an option. Provo Canyon provided no explanation or apology to them, and also gave the police an inaccurate physical description for me. She had prviously been sent to several other programs, including. Over 90% of the school is juvenile criminals but they wont disclose that information to you prior to your childs admission. I?ll tell you, one time they gave me some other girls Lithium by mistake, and then they were much more lenient on me after that. It was inhumane and traumatized me for life. NBC 5 News/@briangomesss. In 1986, PCS was bought by Charter Behavioral Health Systems. I just LOOKED at them, and said NOTHING. It is reported that Provo Canyon School was forced to close briefly in the late 1970s, but quickly reopened and resumed operations. Sometimes physical force, restraints, or a dose of Haldol or Thorazine was used. When they contacted Provo Canyon they were told that if they wanted me to survive past age 16, I needed to be in a maximum lockdown facility that could give me the therapeutic support I needed in a secure environment. Looking forward to normal! Most of the time I was at Provo, I was made to sit upright in a chair against a wall. I watched in horror as many seriously disturbed and mentally fragile girls were taken down forcefully by five or more adult staff members (this was called a dial 9) and given injections because they were out of control. 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