Client #1

Aged 18, entered May 1, 1986 and interviewed on March 22, 1988, Phase One, had applied to withdraw three times, and had been turned down for "improper procedure" each time. She then ran from the program three times. She was returned the first time, since she was under age 18 then. The second time, she was and adult and she returned voluntarily. The third time, she was returned to the program by her parents after having been released from jail. She was in jail because when she ran from the program, she had used her parents' car in an attempt to escape. She was arrested, booked, and then released and taken back to the program by her parents. Since January 22, 1988, she had been restrained on the floor for not sharing and "mocked out" because she had run from the program. She reported that since January 22, 1988, her request to withdraw from the program had been denied, although she had applied to leave through the chain of command and was turned down for "improper procedure".

Client #2

Aged 21, entered December 28, 1986 and interviewed on March 22, 1988, Phase One, said she told the staff that the State had said they could not hold her against her wishes. As a result, she was "frozen" in days. She said changes in the program since January 2, 1988, include not measuring out cereal, more sleep, and less rigidity. She reported seeing people be restrained and cursed. Her complaints included not seeing her family and lack of sleep. She had gone through the chain of command to try to see an orthodontist because of a misaligned lower jaw. The request was denied and she was told she would have to make Second Phase prior to having her request granted. This client had been on First Phase for 451 days.

Client #3

Aged 17, entered September 16, 1986 and interviewed on March 22, 1988, Phase One, said that since January 22, 1988, the program had improved because the host homes were more relaxed and the snacks were better. Since that time, the client has been restrained. She sleeps on a foam mat, without a pillow, in a room with bars on the windows. She had been on First Phase 555 days as of March 22, 1988. She identified staff members *** *** and *** as participating in or supervising abuse of clients. She reported that she was present when adult client #24 asked to contact an attorney. She reported that the client was told by staff that she would have to make Fourth Phase before she could contact an attorney.

Client #4

Interviewed on March 22, 1988, had been in the Kids of America programs in New Jersey and El Paso for a total of 1118 days, He was currently on Phase One, although he had been on Phase Three previously. He stated that he did not believe he would ever graduate; he saw no value in the program, and stated it was not working for him. He was treated for ringworm on March 22, 1988, and he stated that two other clients in his host home also had ringworm.

Client #5

Aged 18, entered December 19, 1987, and interviewed on March 22, 1988, Phase One, was last in the Quiet Room on February 22, 1988, for disrupting rap. She was taken into the Quiet Room by oldcomers who restrained her after she had hit them. During January 1988, she reported that she was physically abused by other clients under the supervision of program staff members *** and *** **** She was "beat up," her lip was split, and her hair was pulled. Individuals (#6, #12, and #14) who took part in the physical abuse of this client also mentioned this incident during independent interviews on March 22, 1988, as did former client #24, who was interviewed on March 8, 1988. On March 22, 1988, during lunch rap, a female client stood up and stated that she needed to make amends to Client #5. She further stated that she would do that during girls' rap. She said that Client #5 had hit her and that she had restrained her and needed to make amends for it. The name of this client was not known to the TCADA investigator who saw and heard this event. Client #5 had knee surgery prior to entering the program, and she told the investigator on March 22, 1988, that her knee hurt when she was restrained. When she saw the physician at the program about her knee, she was told the pain was caused by the way she was sitting. She also reported her request to withdraw from the program since January 22,1988 had been denied. She applied to leave through the chain of command and was turned down for "improper procedure". She subsequently attempted to run from the program and was chased and detained by staff. She reported having been afraid, restrained, hit, pushed, cursed, and threatened. She sleeps on a thin foam mat with no pillow, but with enough cover. She said she did not know if she could get out of the bedroom in the event of a fire, since the host home was "like Fort Knox."

Client #6

Aged 18, entered March 22, 1986 and interviewed March 22, 1988, Phase Four, stated that since January 22, 1988, the program's restraint policy had changed "to not hurt" clients. She keeps newcomers in her host home, and for the past two nights, had eight people in one room, with three sleeping on a queen bed mattress, two on a single mattress, and three on foam pads. There were no pillows. The windows are bolted shut, with the keys hidden elsewhere in the house. Her only complaint with the program was having to stay up late on meeting nights.

Client #7

Aged 15, entered September 28, 1985 and interviewed on March 22, 1988, Phase Three, stated that he had asked to see an attorney, but was told no. Later he was told by senior staff that if he saw an attorney, it would endanger his sobriety. This client and the newcomers he is responsible for sleep on, foam mats in a room with bars on the windows. There is an escape plan, but his mother has the keys. During the March 22, 1988, interview, this client stated that he lied to investigators in the past when he stated that he had been physically abused. Although he was an upper phase client, he said he could not use the phone, write letters or receive mail. On April 25, 1988, Client #7 was again interviewed by TCADA. He was on Fourth Phase when he ran from the program on April 22, 1988. He said that he was scared, that he had been in the program three years, and that he was doing things he did not want to do, such as restraining people. He stated he had thoughts of suicide rather than returning to the program. He reported that after being interviewed by TCADA staff on March 22, 1988, Client #18 had asked to go to the bathroom by himself and he was then confronted and set back for making this request and for talking to TCADA. He reported that the amount of restraint had increased since March 22, 1988 and that it can be painful. He said clinical staff had seen people being restrained and screaming in pain and that they just walked on by. "They have no mercy," he stated. He also said that the information which he had earlier reported to TCADA investigators was true, but that he had retracted his statements during the March 22, 1988, visit because if he did not, he was afraid that he would be set back by the program. He also confirmed that he had asked to see an attorney and had been refused permission. In addition, he said that although patient rights were posted in the facility, newcomers are told that they are not allowed to read. He felt bad that he could not tell newcomers of their rights, but feared he would be confronted if he did. He also said that he let his newcomers eat more than others and that he got in trouble with the program for so doing. He confirmed the reports of clients #25 and #26 that another adult client had been trying to sign out for four months and is always refused.

Client #8

Aged 16, entered March 31, 1987 and interviewed March 22, 1988, Phase One, said she was tricked into entering the program when her mother offered to take her to brunch on her birthday. Her intake lasted seven hours. Since January 22, 1988, she stated she was afraid of restraint, she had been beaten up in a host home by an oldcomer and had also been hit while breaking up a fight and during restraint. She had been threatened for "screwing up", and had also been cursed and pushed. She had seen other clients restrained, hit, pushed, cursed, and threatened. She sleeps in a host home in which she could not get out of the windows in case of a fire. She was wearing glasses when she was admitted; however, she no longer has them. She stated that she was so nearsighted that she could not read the signs on the wall, and she has a prescription for glasses. The program will not have her prescription for glasses filled, she said. Client #8 stated that she had to make up stories of drug use in order to fit in and "motivate" during group sessions in the manner required of all clients. When questioned in detail about the types of drugs she used, she could not accurately describe one of them and gave examples of routes of administration, which are not common, such as snorting ground-up aspirin. She had thoughts of suicide and stated that she needed treatment for emotional and behavioral problems. Client #8 reported having attempted suicide while in the program by cutting her wrist with a hair pin, and showed the scars on her wrist to the interviewer. She stated that she had not been seen by the staff psychiatrist following the incident.

Client #9

Aged 16, entered February 2, 1988 and interviewed March 22, 1988, was brought to the program when his parents told him that his grandfather had suffered a stroke and they were going to the airport. He was brought to the program, instead. His intake lasted four to five hours. He was interrogated with cursing and being called a liar. He reported that since he had been in the program, there had been changes--it had gotten more lenient, with honey for his cereal and six hours sleep a night. He reported having been afraid during intake, hit while restraining a newcomer, and cursed during intake. He had also seen other clients restrained and hit. He slept in a room which had the windows bolted and the door was locked from the outside by the host parent. In order to escape if there were a fire, the oldcomer would have to knock on the door and have the host parent open it. He found sitting up straight for twelve hours a day painful and wanted to talk to his parents longer than five minutes.

Client #10

Aged 13, entered May 25, 1987 and interviewed March 22, 1988, Phase One, stated she had been physically restrained, was afraid, and had been pushed by an oldcomer. She had seen others restrained, hit, and cursed. She sleeps in a host home whose windows have been taken out to prevent escape. She complained of not being able to talk to clinical staff about her behavior problems and also of having missed school since May 1987. She complained of having cavities in her teeth and stated that it hurt to chew on both sides of her mouth. She is currently on a diet and went from a size 14 dress size at admission to a size 7. At the time of the interview, the client had bitten her fingernails down to the point of bleeding.

Client #11

Aged 13, entered February 16, 1988 and interviewed March 22, 1988, Phase One, said her intake lasted four to five hours, and included questions about having sex with animals. She had used drugs occasionally, but had been placed in the program for running away. She is sleepwalking, and is thinking of suicide. She has been cursed, and has been hit while restraining others. She reported fights in the host homes among clients. When she cries, she is told that she is looking for pity. She sits for twelve hours a day while at the program. She had never been in the Quiet Room, She stated she was afraid of staff and of the group "because she has been dishonest" because she has to make up things to say, since she does not have that much to tell in group and she writes things she does not understand. She is scared by her knowledge that some of the clients have been in the program 700 days. She reported that she went through the chain of command twice to see the doctor because of her ear; she was refused and did not see the doctor until her ear started bleeding. At the time of the interview of March 22, 1988, she appeared to have hearing loss, congestion, and a nasal infection, and she sleeps on the floor without a pillow with wet hair. The window in the bedroom is covered over with wall paper, and she stated she could not get out of the host home if there was a fire. She has a history of suicide documented in her chart with two attempts noted prior to admission to KIDS. The client stated she still thinks about suicide but has not seen a psychiatrist since her admission. She felt pressured to exaggerate her drug use. She said that she had smoked marijuana a couple of time. She talked about her emotional problems and the need to get help for them. She was unhappy in that she was not receiving therapy for her emotional problems, since the program only dealt with drug abuse. She appeared to feel hopeless, abandoned by parents, and of little self-worth at the time of her interview.

Client #12

Aged 15, entered May 24, 1986 and interviewed on March 22, 1988, Phase One, reported seeing people slammed onto the floor and held down for a long time, with one client being restrained nine hours. She said one client was hurt because she was dropped to the floor on her face. She reported no changes in the restraint procedures since January 22, 1988. She was afraid, had been restrained, hit, pushed, cursed, and threatened. She described restraint as being held ''spread eagle" on the floor, and she described it as being "cruel and gross". She slept in a room with locked windows and alarms on the doors. She missed being able to go to school and began crying when she talked about the fact that she would only be in the eighth grade when she was able to return to school. She complained of the cruelty of the program. She reported having participating in the abuse of client #5 and identified staff member *** as participating in or supervising abuse of clients. She also reported being denied access to medical care by staff for a dislocated thumb, which appeared to the TCADA investigator as being in need to medical attention at the time of the interview.

Client #13

Aged 17, entered May 13, 1986 and interviewed on March 22, 1988, Phase Four, stated that since January 22, 1988, program changes included more food for newcomers, posting of client rights, and less use of restraint. This client had been hit while restraining another client. He had seen others, usually uncooperative newcomers, restrained, hit, pushed, and cursed.

Client #14

Aged 18, entered April 5, 1986 and interviewed March 22, 1988, Phase Four, was admitted to the program during what she had been told was a sibling interview because her sister was already in the program. She reported having been in the Quiet Room to restrain and confront a newcomer, She stated the restraint procedures had changed since the clients were not longer to sit on people who were being restrained. She had been hit, pushed, and cursed while restraining others. She participated in the abuse of client # 5. She sleeps in her own home with newcomers in a room with locked windows. She stated she gets to bed at midnight or later, since she has to supervise her newcomers, and she stays up to do homework. She averages four to six hours of sleep a night, She complained of being tired and of missing out on school because she had been in the program and unable to attend school regularly.

Client #15

Aged 20, entered January 15, 1987 and interviewed March 22, 1988, Phase Two, stated that since January 22, 1988, program changes included more sleep time and more food for newcomers, along with more fun in the host home. He stated that since January 22, 1988, he had been afraid of the group "for being dishonest", and had been pushed and cursed by newcomers. He had also seen newcomers restrained, hit, pushed, and cursed. His host home has a fire alarm outside the door and an escape plan. He felt he could escape from the home in the event of a fire, even though the, windows are locked.

Client #16

Aged 15, entered February 23, 1988 and interviewed March 22, 1988, Phase One, said he was intimidated, threatened, and cursed during a lengthy intake process by staff and upper phase clients. He was pressured to admit to having sex with other males and with animals. He stated he had been through a lengthy interrogation in the Quiet Room, where he was forced to admit doing things he did not do or was accused of being "unmotivated." He was pushed and rushed during meals, cursed by staff, including clinical staff, and threatened with the Quiet Room because he was thought to be dishonest by staff. He has seen other clients restrained, hit, pushed, cursed, and threatened, including seeing a client kicked in the groin He described restraints as painful and violent. *** was identified as having been abusive or having supervised incidents of abuse toward clients. He said he sleeps on the floor on foam mats in a room whose door is locked from the outside by the parents. The windows are barred. Client #16 said that he had twice asked to see the doctor when he had persistent diarrhea. He was refused and was told he had "egg burp". "Egg burp" was subsequently defined during an interview with former client #26 on April 14, 1988. He described "egg burp" as when a person had foul-smelling breath when belching, stomach cramping, and diarrhea. Both clients #16 and #26 stated that they subsequently soiled themselves in group because of the diarrhea, and both were then chastised by staff.

Client #17

Aged 14, entered March 5, 1988 and interviewed March 22, 1988, Phase One, reported being intimidated and threatened during the intake process. He stated "I felt like killing myself." He said that he had experimented with marijuana, and that he was in the program because his brother was already in the facility. He was afraid, pushed, repeatedly cursed, forced to cat food when he was not hungry, and had shaving cream shoved in his face and baby powder thrown on his back by an oldcomer. He described restraint as "violent" and said that at least one person gets physically restrained daily. He reported that the "host home shuffle" (referring to frequent changes of host homes) had resulted in his losing clothing and personal effects, and he had witnessed violent restraints performed by other clients. He is not allowed to attend school or an educational program. He sleeps on the floor on a foam mat, without a pillow or adequate covering, in a host home where the bedroom door is locked from the outside, the windows have bars and are locked and boarded. He complains of not getting enough sleep due to staying up late at night. He reported that he was ignored when he complained about being sick. He asked to see the doctor, but was told by an oldcomer to "take" the sickness and not complain. The client did not see the doctor.

Client #18

Aged 14, entered March 15, 1988 and interviewed March 22, 1988, Phase One, stated that during intake, he was threatened, intimidated, cursed at, and pressured to admit to extensive drug use, homosexuality, bestiality, and sodomy by **** Program Coordinator, and upper phase clients. This client has seen restraints on other clients which include applying pressure on certain pressure points on the arms, "throwing" clients to the floor, holding legs and arms and covering the mouth, and restraining clients with an old-comer present to supervise. He reported being verbally abused and forced to eat all of his food when not hungry. He has been pushed and cursed at in the lunch line, He said he sleeps on the floor on a foam mat. The bedroom door is locked from the outside, the windows are bolted shut with bars. In case of a fire or other emergency, the only way out is to break the door down. He complained of staying up late at night due to group meetings, and states that he has no drug problem and did not need to be in the program. When client #18 returned to the group meeting after his interview by TCADA staff on March 22, 1988, be announced that he had rights as a client and asked to speak with his parents and with clinical staff. The requests were refused and the client was "blasted" in the group meeting, according to three former clients, #7, #25 and #26, who were present in the group at the time. Client #18 stated he was in clinical rap, which was run by *** and *** at a time that he had diarrhea. He sought permission to go to the bathroom, but only Fifth Phasers could recognize his request and take him to the bathroom. He did not get permission to go to the bathroom and subsequently soiled his pants, and had to sit in it and not clean himself until after the group was over. Clinical rap lasts two hours, according to the Daily/Weekly Schedule-CBA of Kids of El Paso. Client #18's complaint was confirmed by Client #26. Client #18 stated he saw another client soil himself while being restrained on the floor.

Client #19

Aged 17, entered March 15, 1988 and interviewed March 22, 1988, Phase One, was tricked into entering the program by her parents; she thought she was coming in for a job interview. She is afraid, wants to leave, does not to want to be in the program, but wants to be in another drug treatment program. She has been threatened, intimidated, and cursed at extensively. She has been pressured to admit to extensive drug use, homosexuality, and sodomy. She has been hit, jabbed, and pushed in attempts to get her "motivated". She has witnessed violent restraints on other clients, with oldcomers supervising the restraints. She sleeps on the floor on a foam mat in host homes whose windows are locked, and the bedroom door is locked from the outside.

Client #20

Aged 18, entered April 15, 1986 and interviewed March 22, 1988, Phase Three, was initially admitted to the program for an eating disorder; she was later "diagnosed" as having a drug problem. In October, 1987, she was forced to lick up sugar off the floor in a host home as an oldcomer, she has been subjected to threats, verbal abuse, and hitting by newcomers. She keeps three newcomers in her host home. She sleeps on the floor in front of the door on a foam mat, The windows are locked, and her mother has the key. She stated that she stays up late at night, until 2 A.M. or 3 A.M. supervising her newcomers, and does not get very much sleep on school nights. She stated she could not write letters nor receive mail. She had just been read her rights for the first time prior to coming into the interview.

Client #21

Aged 18, entered March 1, 1986 and interviewed March 22, 1988, Fourth Phase, complained of being pushed, hit, and cursed at by newcomers. He was hit while restraining a newcomer and he was punched at his host home while trying to prevent a client's running away. A newcomer also threatened to smother him with a pillow. He stated that there had been no changes in he restraint procedures since January 22, 1988, although there had been changes in the host homes, with a variety of foods to eat, not just cereal, and more clients going home and earning "Talk and Responsibility". He reported that during the last week of January or first week of February, 1988, he was present when client #28 was taken into the Quiet Room and "blasted" (screamed and yelled at) by other clients under the supervision of staff members, *** and *** His lip was bloodied, his shirt was torn and he was pinned up against the wall with his feet off the floor and yelled at in his face. Two shifts of oldcomers were used in this incident. This client was not participating in the program and was told he would not be allowed to go to sleep until he agreed to comply. He was kept in the Quiet Room from 10-30 P.M. to 12:30 A.M. and then was taken to the host home by oldcomers. He was stripped to his under-wear and continued to be "blasted" until about 4 AM. when he agreed to participate in the program.

Client #22

Aged 20, entered May 31, 1986 and interviewed March 22, 1988, Fourth Phase, stated that he had been cursed at, hit, pushed, and shoved by newcomers. He complained of wanting more sleep. He stated that to get clients to share how they feel upper phasers and staff yell at them and "get in their face" because newcomers are disrespectful. They often have their heads down in both the group and the Quiet Room. He also said that during restraint, clients are held down by their legs and arms, and the mouth is covered.

Client #23

Aged 20, entered September 12, 1987, escaped March 19, 1988, and interviewed March 28, 1988, stated that he had "shared feelings", including his being gay, in accordance with program rules. He was then frequently singled out in the group, made to stand up, and "mocked out" by both staff and clients for being gay and for attempting to sign out. He stated he was ridiculed daily and pushed around by other clients in front of staff He reported being verbally abused by clinical staff member *** and senior staff member *** He stated he was singled out in the group, made to stand up and be "mocked out." He reported being pushed around by other clients in front of staff, who did not intervene in his behalf He reported that during the last week of January or first week of February, 1988, he was present when client #28 was taken into the Quiet Room and "blasted" (screamed and yelled at) by other clients under the super-vision of staff members, *** and *** He reported that this client was not participating in the program and was told he would not be allowed to go to sleep until he agreed to comply. He was kept in the Quiet Room from 10:30 P, M. to 12:30 A.M. and then was taken to the host home by oldcomers. He was stripped to his underwear and continued to be "blasted until about 4 A.M., when he agreed to participate in the program, He reported that It was standard procedure that no client was allowed to leave clinical rap, which was conducted by *** and ***, even if they needed to go to the restroom. He stated it was not unusual for clients to soil themselves during these sessions. He also stated that while a periodic restroom break would be allowed during regular rap sessions, it was often limited to two minutes. Only as many clients as could be escorted to the bathroom in that time period got to use the bathroom, and that if there were others who needed to go, they had to wait. He was involuntarily pressured into entering the program because he was homosexual and that the program staff told him during the intake process that he was acting gay because he had a drug problem. He was threatened with being exposed as a homosexual and loss of his family if he did not enter the program. He also stated that his mother believed the baby powder she found in his room to be a drug. Two of his siblings were already in the program, and he went to a sibling interview at the Kids' facility. On September 12, 1987, he was taken into a small room and told that the meeting was not a sibling interview, but was an intake. When he protested that he did not wish to enter the program, he was not allowed to leave the room He was interrogated at length by three staff members, including *** clinical staff. He was told that the reason he was acting gay was because had a drug problem. Papers were then presented to him, and he refused them. His sister was then brought into the room to try to convince him. He was given the papers again, and told not to read them, just to sign them. He was threatened with the loss of his family and exposure as a homosexual if he did not sign himself in. After about five hours of intensive interrogation and a promise from *** that if he would sign in, he could leave after fourteen days, the individual signed into the program. After twenty days, this adult stated he attempted to sign out through the chain of command. This request was refused for "improper procedure". He then put in a written request to be advised of "proper procedure". This information was provided and he again applied for his own release, which was again refused for "improper procedure". About December 12, 1987, he again filed a request through the chain of command to get out, and it was again refused for "improper procedure". He then tried again the same day, but received no immediate response, Instead, he was seen by each of the junior staff members, one at a time. Each staff member attempted to get him to change his mind about wanting to leave. He refused to reconsider. ***** and two staff members then met with him for about two hours and pressured him to stay in the program. The pressure included being told he would have to confront each of his fan-lily members He was "blasted" by his sister. He still wanted to leave, and was then told he would have to have a family conference prior to leaving. The conference was never held. The client then became frightened and depressed about losing his family, and withdrew his request to leave. He could not recall ever being told of his client rights or being given a copy and that he had no knowledge of TCADA while he was in the program. He stated that as an upper phase client, he had no privacy for personal needs when he was in charge of lower phase clients because the lower phase clients had to be in their presence when the upper phaser was in the bathroom. He stated that he was required to watch First Phasers when he took them to the bathroom at the facility and in the host home during January, February, and March, 1988. This practice was confirmed by an interview with another ex-client (#25), who left the program on April 11, 1988.

Client #24

An adult ex-client, entered February 26, 1986, escaped March 4, 1988, and interviewed on March 8, 1988, reported being held in the program against her will, although she had requested to withdraw. She reported that she was told that if she tried to withdraw, she would be "frozen" in Phase One, which would mean she could not try to sign out. She then did not try to sign out, but instead, ran from the program. Client #3 reported that she was present when adult client #24 asked to contact an attorney. She reported that the client was told by staff that she would have to make Fourth Phase before she could contact an attorney. Client #24 reported that she had a sinus infection and was denied access to medical care by her private physician, a specialist, until her condition became so acute as to require hospitalization and surgery for a sinus infection. She stated that she was refused permission to see her private physician for aftercare, and was instead seen by a KIDS parent who was a physician. She reported having participated in the abuse of client #5 and identified the staff person present as *** ***.

Client #25

Aged 20, entered April 7, 1987, escaped April 11, 1988 and interviewed April 12, 1988, Fourth Phase. He stated that he became scared because he was responsible for supervising a twenty-four year old client who was alleged to have been in jail several times, including one allegation of murder. The client in his charge escaped and threatened to kill Client #25 when he was chasing him. After that incident, he never felt safe or secure in supervising newcomers. This client described his host home as having windows which had been secured with screws so they would not open. Pillows were optional--up to the host home. There was an alarm on the bedroom door. He stated that during raps, clients were encouraged to talk about things they did. If the client later got rebellious, these facts were thrown up in the clients' face. Even if a client did not have a drug problem, he would believe he did because of the constant drilling by the program: "If you say you don't have a drug problem, they blast you. If you say you do have a drug problem, they praise you," He reported that *** a staff member, told him "Your sister is getting older, she will be screwed by a lot of guys, and you will not be there to help her." He also stated that he had been trained by staff at Kids of El Paso to be "hard and tough" towards newcomers and that he had "knocked them around" as directed. He stated that he did not think that he had a drug problem at the time he entered the program, although he had one in the past. At the time of his admission, he was working, had a truck, was living in another town, was doing well, and was taking care of himself. He had been pressured into the program by his parents. He was living in the Panhandle, but was told that his mother was dying of a brain aneurysm. He was taken to visit his mother in "the clinic," which was the Kids of El Paso building. His mother pressured him into entering by threatening to go on a starvation diet, and he agreed to sign in for 21 days. After about two months, he tried to leave by applying for the procedures for signing out, and was taken on a "One-on-One" by a senior staff member who persuaded him to stay. Later, he tried to leave again by actually signing himself out. He was told he would have to go through two conferences, the first of which was a "Two-on-One" with junior staff. During this conference, he became scared after being told by staff that he would die if he left the program because he would be alone at Christmas and would try to kill himself. He then withdrew his request. Some months later, he again wanted to leave the program. He was confronted in group and cursed his accusers back. For this, he was "frozen" and put back to day one so that he could not sign out. On the third attempt to sign out, he was put back to day one, but this time, it was before he had the opportunity to fill out his request to leave. He stated that die only way lie had learned about the procedure. to sign out was that he overheard someone else request the sign out procedures. At intake, although he was told he could sign out after 21 days, he was not told the procedure, or that there was a two-week waiting period. He reported that another adult client has been trying to sign out, but keeps getting "frozen" back every time lie attempts to sign out. He said that the client rights statement had recently been posted in the anteroom, but that a client must be on Third Phase in order to read it. He stated that lower phase clients are not allowed to read. He questioned the value of the right to write TCADA, since the clients do not have paper, envelopes, or stamps, and there is no opportunity to mail a letter. His comment was "it's a joke." He also said that a client cannot dial a telephone until fourth phase; until then, the host home parent must dial the telephone. This client was unsure of what TCADA was, and he explained that it was physically impossible to write TCADA because the clients do not have access to paper, envelopes, or stamps, nor could they mail a letter. He commented, "It's a joke." He stated that he was required to watch First Phasers when he took them to the bathroom at the facility and in the host home during January, February, and March, 1988. He reported that during the last week of January or first week of February, 1988, he was present when client #28 was taken into the Quiet Room and "blasted" (screamed and yelled at) by other clients under the super-vision of staff members, *** *** and *** He reported that this client was not participating in the program and was told he would not be allowed to go to sleep until he agreed to comply. He was kept in the Quiet Room from 10:30 P.M. to 12:30 A.M. and then was taken to the host home by oldcomers. He was stripped to his underwear and continued to be "blasted until about 4 A.M., when he agreed to participate in the program.

Client #26

Age 17, entered September 8, 1986, left April 12, 1988, interviewed April 14, 1988, said that he was refused medical care to repair a burst eardrum. He needed an operation to repair it, but was told by ***, the Intake Coordinator, that he would have to make Second Phase first. Dr. *** was reported to have been present during this conversation, and did not contradict ***. This former client was on Phase One for 586 days, and he stated that he thinks the hearing loss was a result of this lack of medical care. He also had a bladder infection, which he attributed to the fact that he had cut back on his consumption of water because of the difficulty in receiving permission to use the bathroom. He wet and soiled himself because he could not go to the bathroom when necessary. He was given a urine test by Dr. *** received no medication, and told to drink two glasses of water, instead of one, during meals. The client reported that double water is available only with special permission. This client currently has a rash on his body, and he reported other clients also had the same rash. He stated that it used to be called scabies, but that Dr. *** had said that the rash the clients have was not scabies. He stated during the interview that as recently as March, 1988, clients were told by staff that if they tried to leave, the program would go to court and testify that the clients were crazy and that they would then be committed to the program. He said that the staff threatened to tell the courts everything that had been confessed in group in order to get the clients committed. He said that clients were not allowed to say the words "sign out" in group, and signout procedures were not discussed. "Improper Procedures" and "Set Back and Freeze" were methods used to control requests to leave. He reported that one adult client had tried to sign out and had been "frozen" so that he could not attempt to sign out again. He also stated that a client who was allowed to leave was stood up in group and "mocked out" or ridiculed prior to being allowed to leave. In addition, he said First Phasers are not allowed to read, and that was a policy of Kids of El Paso. Client #26 reported staff members ridiculed him in group for his poor attitude and body shape, calling him "Mae West". He also said another client was called a "slut" and "whore" while in group. He reported that during the last week of January or first week of February, 1988, he was present when client #28 was taken into the Quiet Room and "blasted" (screamed and yelled at) by other clients under the supervision of staff members, *** and Do *** He reported that this client was not participating in the program and was told he would not be allowed to go to sleep until he agreed to comply. He was kept in the Quiet Room from 10:30 P.M. to 12:30 A.M. and then was taken to the host home by oldcomers. He was stripped to his underwear and continued to be II blasted until about 4 A.M., when he agreed to participate in the program. He identified *** and *** as having been abusive or having supervised incidents of abuse toward clients. He stated that he had been in clinical rap, which was run by *** and *** and that since he had diarrhea, he sought permission to go to the bathroom. He said that only Fifth Phasers could recognize his request and take him to the bathroom, He did not get permission to go to the bathroom and subsequently soiled his pants and was not allowed to clean himself until after the group was over. Clinical rap lasts two hours, according to the Daily/weekly Schedule CBA Kids of El Paso. He identified Client #18 as having soiled himself and then having to sit in it, and he saw another client soil himself while being restrained on the floor. Clients do not get milk to drink, according to Client #26. Milk is not shown on the menus of food served at the program. The menu is approved by a registered dietician.

Client #27

...was mentioned by Clients #8, #17, #21, #25, #26, and #7 as being restrained almost every day for unusual behavior, such as chewing on his toes, ripping his shirt, singing during groups, eating buttons, looking like a crazy person, being rebellious, and never combing his hair. Client #26 observed this particular client coming out of the Quiet Room with torn clothes and red marks on his face, and Client #7 reported that since March 22, 1988, Client #27 is restrained all day long.