The level system seemed simple enough. There were only 6; how long could 6 levels possibly take to get through? Well, the levels were based on 4 things: points, seminars, peers, and your case manager. We started out with a certain number of points each day and depending on how many consequences we got that day, we might end up with some leftover.
What is a consequence? It's a piece of paper that is given to you if you break a rule. There were 5 levels of consequences, and they ranged from not removing all the hair out of your brush(category 1) to runaway plans(category 5). You could almost get a consequence for anything in this place because the rules were ridiculous and nearly impossible to not break. It was a total mind game.
You could get a consequence for looking out of line(we had to walk in lines everywhere we went with a 'mama' and a couple of upper levels watching.) you could get a consequence for not pivoting on a turn. You could get a consequence for attempting to speak without asking a 3d person to listen(2 people were never allowed to talk). You could get a consequence for accidentally taking a pen in the bathroom because you stuck it in your hair and forgot about it. You would get a consequence if you forgot your water bottle or didn't make your bed correctly. We even got consequences for speaking English! The list goes on and on.
For the first couple of months, I was there, I spent most of my time in worksheets. It doesn't sound that bad, but it's a little room with chairs lined up facing the walls and dividers on the sides so you couldn't see the person next to you. If you got a category 2, you had to go there for the day. What could you do in worksheets? Absolutely nothing, but stare at the wall and listen to history tapes play over and over again. 3 times a day, they would give you food and take you to the restroom. It was the kind of torture that made you feel like you were losing your mind.
Were you on the buses when they left CBS and stopped in San Diego? We (ISAC Corp) had a reporter from NBC there to meet with folks but the golf resort owner and WWASP operatives wouldn't let them get near anyone. It was like herding cattle into a paddock.
ReplyDeleteIts almost worse but we are not physically slotered only mentally! So really the cattle are better off then we were!
DeleteUnfortunately I was unable to see the end of this place because I had been released the year before:( I prayed ever night that someone would come and save us and let us go home.
DeleteOur San Diego volunteer brought a psychologist along to meet the kids, parents but they too were kept out off the property.
ReplyDeleteEntering the Pearly gates! Is that place still open?? That place wow! All I can do is cry! If Men In Black was not a movie I wish they could use that little thing to erase that part of my memory! We are survivors though! Like P.O.W.'s
DeleteI was there for 17 months if anyone wants an interview or more specific information about the place. I chose to leave on my 18th birthday and was dropped off in downtown San Diego with nothing from a currency or support standpoint. That was a more attractive situation than what I had there. Send me an email at 0x90.0x90.0x90@gmail.com if you would like additional information.
ReplyDeleteHi Whitney, I remember you, this is Jessica Krohn. I was in Integrity with Randi...I wonder if you remember me?
ReplyDelete