December 21, 2007
Seven People Fired in Wake of Unauthorized Shocks at Rotenberg
Those responsible for giving two students skin-shocks--one 77 times and another 29 times--at the request of a prank caller at the Judge Rotenberg Education Center (JRC) in August have been fired. The AP reports that seven people are out, including a video surveillance worker.
The Globe did a lengthy story yesterday on how the employees at the home, which was in Stoughton, had plenty of reasons to stop before giving the skin-shocks, which are used to treat students who have various emotional and physical problems. No one on the staff saw the boys causing problems and had only the prank call to justify their actions.
Although the JRC's website claims the shocks are like a "bee sting with no after-sensation," one of the boys who received skin-shock went to the hospital for two first-degree burns. No after-sensation, they say. Two first-degree burns sounds like much more than an "after-sensation." Firing doesn't sound like enough in this case.
Image from the school's website.
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Sounds like this school should be closed down. Whydo people shock therapy is a viable treatment in this day and age?
Just think of the Ramones - gimme gimme shock treatment...
Shocking children 77 and 29 times are not a "pranks"; these are very serious state, federal, and international crimes.
Actions of all involved: the "prankster", the staff, the monitors, the administration, and the institution should be brought before a grand jury.
If ever there was a case that cried out for a public trial it is this.
I have just written my state and federal legislators requesting that they make sure there are serious criminal investigations.
If you agree with me, I suggest you do the same or something like this might happen again at this or some other school.
Before you start a witch hunt, think: what are the alternatives for these kids? Profoundly disturbed, in some cases. Politicians are demagoguing the issue. If these places were so bad, they would already be closed. This is the same simplistic solution that took patients from state hospitals and put them on the street. The people complaining felt better about themselves for an hour but the patients were far worse off. Simple solutions to complex problems don't work. 20/20 or Geraldo would have done their thing years ago if the solution were so simple as is alleged. Unless you want to come up with a viable alternative, cool your jets.
Before you start a witch hunt, think: what are the alternatives for these kids? Profoundly disturbed, in some cases. Politicians are demagoguing the issue. If these places were so bad, they would already be closed. This is the same simplistic solution that took patients from state hospitals and put them on the street. The people complaining felt better about themselves for an hour but the patients were far worse off. Simple solutions to complex problems don't work. 20/20 or Geraldo would have done their thing years ago if the solution were so simple as is alleged. Unless you want to come up with a viable alternative, cool your jets.
Aging Cynic: You talk in generalities while my objection is with JRC specifically. For example, JRC reports 77 shocks to this boy. My sources tell me he was on the 24 Volt GED rather than the 12 Volt GED's. Their 24 Volt GED's work by giving two shocks every time the button is pushed. So as I see it, this boy received 154 shocks. And yes, I have seen first degree burns from these GED's.
What is needed is a grand jury or other forum where the staff is put under oath. Questions I would ask are what are spread electrodes and what are the various voltages and configuations of the GEDs? Have these ever been attached to soles of the big toe or finger tips (or other parts of the body) that regulators don't know about? Have you ever been told to hide these things from regulators?
What is needed is a grand jury or other forum where the staff is put under oath. Questions I would ask are what are spread electrodes and what are the various voltages and configuations of the GEDs? Have these ever been attached to soles of the big toe or finger tips (or other parts of the body) that regulators don't know about? Have you ever been told to hide these things from regulators?
Jackie,
I have "specifically" been through all the facilities of JRC and met the management AND the critics. MA is famous for quick fixes to perceived problems. JRC is only the latest "problem". Again, do you think that all these parents who continue with JRC don't love their children? Come up with a better solution and JRC will stop the controversial practice tomorrow. Would you want a grand jury to examine every school in MA? How about how you make your living every day? Or how I make mine? Think maybe a demagogue with an agenda could create indictments? (Think "ham sandwich"). Before you start getting granular about individual practices, think about unintended consequences. Compared with what happens in under-funded state institutions, JRC is like DisneyWorld.
Aging,
As for the parents, I know they love their kids. I know many feel this is the last resort before full institutionalization or jail. But I also know that dispite what the parents conclude, there are better places in MA and NY which will more likely result in a better outcome when the student transitions to adulthood.
As for funding, the high court says that school districts must pick up the bill until the early 20's. Only then does funding becomes an issue - as it will for everyone at JRC.
I also believe that the latest incident is the worst of all possible crimes - torture of a special needs child in JRC's care. I also have enough knowledge of JRC to believe in my mind that this resulted directly from practices hidden from regulators. Unless staff and administration is made to testify under oath, things like this will happen again at JRC or in some other institution.
If you want to replace "grand jury" with sworn "hearing" or "deposition", it is ok with me, except that the "grand jury" is the apropriate forum for "Torture".
Aging,
As for the parents, I know they love their kids. I know many feel this is the last resort before full institutionalization or jail. But I also know that dispite what the parents conclude, there are better places in MA and NY which will more likely result in a better outcome when the student transitions to adulthood.
As for funding, the high court says that school districts must pick up the bill until the early 20's. Only then does funding becomes an issue - as it will for everyone at JRC.
I also believe that the latest incident is the worst of all possible crimes - torture of a special needs child in JRC's care. I also have enough knowledge of JRC to believe in my mind that this resulted directly from practices hidden from regulators. Unless staff and administration is made to testify under oath, things like this will happen again at JRC or in some other institution.
If you want to replace "grand jury" with sworn "hearing" or "deposition", it is ok with me, except that the "grand jury" is the apropriate forum for "Torture".
I was horrified to learn that the Rotenberg Educational Center punishes children with electrical shocks. This is abuse. What is a child to learn from being physically punished? To be compassionate and respectful toward others? Of course not. These children will learn that they are helpless, that people in authority them can hurt them with impunity. These children will internalize shame and learn that it's acceptable to bully others. The administrators of Rotenberg "Educational Center" should be charged with child abuse. The whole place should be shut down.