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ACLU Sues Montana Over Inhumane Treatment of Mentally Ill Teenage Prisoner

Seeded on Wed Jan 27, 2010 4:24 PM EST
Read ArticleArticle Source: No End in Sight: Immigrants Locked Up for Years Without Hearings | American Civil Liberties Union
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HELENA, MT — The ACLU of Montana filed a lawsuit today against the state of Montana and the Montana Department of Corrections over the illegal, inhumane and degrading treatment of a 17-year-old boy with mental illness who has been detained for almost a year in the Montana State Prison in solitary confinement.

While imprisoned, "Robert Doe" has been Tasered, pepper-sprayed, deprived of human contact while in solitary confinement and being punished by torturous "behavior modification plans," stripped naked in view of other inmates, and traumatized to the point of attempting to kill himself by biting through his wrist to puncture a vein.

  • ACLU News Release: December 16, 2009
  • ACLU Filed Complaint (.pdf )

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    Published to:

    Digits

    I have a special place in my heart reserved for teenagers who are mistreated while in custody. Tandem with that, I have a special place in my heart for the mentally ill or mentally delicate. I was in a place that effectually tortured me to the point I had nightmares for years after, attempted suicide, and everything else self-harming one does to try to psychologically or physically escape the event or memory. I will search for and try to stay abreast of updates or outcomes of this story.

    • 2 votes
    #1 - Wed Jan 27, 2010 4:36 PM EST
    ERich-356044

    A year in solitary? Wow....

    Digits, that is horrible! Keep us posted... poor kid.

    And I am sorry you had to go through that too.... that is awful!

    • 1 vote
    #1.1 - Wed Jan 27, 2010 4:40 PM EST
    Digits

    Oh it's unfathomable what government agencies do or even allow to happen to kids. It's unconscionable to me that the ACLU has to bring this to Court, lest it be allowed to continue. What!?

    There are no checks and balances in that prison? Does no one care? Does everyone who works there [and knows or has seen it] think this is okay, good, proper, necessary, or safe?

    • 2 votes
    #1.2 - Wed Jan 27, 2010 5:34 PM EST
    YaddaYadda

    Digits, thanks for the link to your story. It was absolutely incredible. I can't believe you went through something so mind-bending. I mean, I've read about places like that in Time or Newsweek, but never have I had a "first degree of separation" with someone who actually went through trauma like that

    It makes me even more happy that you're one of my 'Vine buddies! :~)

    Hopefully, the ACLU will sue the living snot out of the state of Montana and their DOC. The ACLU...sometimes I can take 'em or leave 'em. In this case though? I am definitely on their side. And the kid's. Jesus...is there a chance for recovery for him?

    • 3 votes
    #1.3 - Wed Jan 27, 2010 6:05 PM EST
    Dylan923

    Digits,

    This story has been going on for awhile now. I'm a broadcst journalist in Montana and these allegations surfaced late last year, but the ACLU hadn't officially filed suit until today. I will call the Department of Corrections in the morning when I get off the air and will keep the thread updated on what's happening if anything. They probably won't make any statements because of the litigation, however if I get any audio from anyone, I'll let the thread know and we can find somewhere to post it. Our station website is currently down or I could post it there.

    This is a very serious issue and I would suspect the Montana DOC will wanna make it go away expediently.

    YADDA, How the hell are ya my friend? Trust me when I say that heads are gonna roll over this one at the DOC.

    More later....................

    • 2 votes
    #1.4 - Wed Jan 27, 2010 6:13 PM EST
    YaddaYadda

    Hey Dylan....oh I'm just fine as fug, buddy! Enjoying your posts on various and sundry threads about the 'Vine, of course! :~) I think it's totally cool that you're a broadcast journalist! You have a show and everything??

    • 2 votes
    #1.5 - Wed Jan 27, 2010 6:29 PM EST
    Digits

    Thanks Yadda.

    I originally posted *my story* earlier than the date of it now - and it was rather popular I think due to the incredulous nature of it - but then I removed it due to something I was going through at the time. I eventually reposted it simply because I thought it important people did know "1st degree of separation" rather than an anonymous and impersonal accounting of atrocities like that. So I really appreciate your sentiments and I am excited you are my online pal too!

    As far as recovery for the former kids in *my facility* .. many are adults either in therapy [still], some went on to commit suicide as kids or adults, resorted to drugs or alcohol as their therapy, and/or sought help in 12 step organizations or other self-help groups or spiritual methodologies.

    [Off Topic: You can find online suicide stats many kids committed attributed to "Straight, Inc." but from my own experience, I know that suicides were not relegated to the immediate incarceration or memories only. Some adults...when PTSD finally catches up to them and they cannot understand why agoraphobia or issues with authority or confrontation render them impotent...When their inability to hold a job due to shame or violation comes into play... So they consider themselves at the end of their resources and kill themselves. Not having appropriate medical care due to lack of inability to qualify for assistance OR insurance...what to do with former Straight, Inc. Kids -now Adults - is a HUGE problem. As long as the government of the U.S. denies there was a problem... What else to do? ]

    THIS kid, though... I wish him well and I wish him the best. My heart aches for him as there are several factors I read that just blow my mine...Like the taserings and pepper sprayings....and god only knows what "behavior modication plans" mean...and the stripping naked... Poor kid. I hope that when ACLU is finished with them, the government pays for whatever help he needs.

    • 2 votes
    #1.6 - Wed Jan 27, 2010 6:43 PM EST
    Dylan923

    CORRECTION: This lawsuit was actually filed in late December but has been kind of under wraps of sorts.

    Here's the deal as of Today January 27, 2010:

    I'm on the phone as I write this with an Amty Cannata, Communications Director for the Montana ACLU. The juvenile in question was sent to Warm Springs State Mental Hospital the end of December for an independent psychiatric evaluation at the request of the Montana ACLU. The juvenile was there less than a week and was returned to the Montana State Prison, adult facility, where he remains in custody in administrative detention (Solitary).

    The Montana Department of Corrections is refusing comment, citing the pending litigation.

    I'm currently awaiting some paperwork from Amy Cannata's office, she said she would email me a copy of the complaint. As soon as I get it, I'll post it it its entirety on this thread.

    The juvenile is in the adult facility because he was given a 5 year sentence for assaulting a corrections officer while he was in the Montana State Juvenile facility.

    • 1 vote
    #1.7 - Wed Jan 27, 2010 6:46 PM EST
    Digits

    Dylan thank you!

    This story has been going on for awhile now. I'm a broadcst journalist in Montana and these allegations surfaced late last year, but the ACLU hadn't officially filed suit until today. I will call the Department of Corrections in the morning when I get off the air and will keep the thread updated on what's happening if anything. They probably won't make any statements because of the litigation, however if I get any audio from anyone, I'll let the thread know and we can find somewhere to post it. Our station website is currently down or I could post it there.

    I clipped your seed but because it was so far back - and therefore not showing on my page or the groups I clipped it to - I seeded this one. I'd hoped you'd find this so you could see I enjoyed and appreciated your sharing it. I searched for updated information as well but could find nothing.

    I cannot wait to see what unfolds.

    • 2 votes
    #1.8 - Wed Jan 27, 2010 6:46 PM EST
    Dylan923

    Yeah Yadda, I do a morning show on a country station and spend the rest of the day chasing leads and pissing off politicians. I just posted a thread about the Montana governor yesterday, go to my column and check it out, the WALL STREET Journal calls him the MONTANA EXCEPTION!

      #1.9 - Wed Jan 27, 2010 6:48 PM EST
      Dylan923

      OKAYYYYYY....................the complain is over 25 pages long, so here is a link to the Montana ACLU website that anyone can go to and read the complaint in its entirety:

      http://aclumontana.org/

      When you get there, on the right hand side of the page is a link that is titled:

      ACLU Sues over abuse of teen inmate

      Folow that link to the complaint.

      • 2 votes
      #1.10 - Wed Jan 27, 2010 6:56 PM EST
      Digits

      Dylan, I added the complaint link to the original seed commentary.

      • 3 votes
      #1.11 - Wed Jan 27, 2010 7:24 PM EST
      Dylan923

      Good job, did you read it, it's friggin incredible.

      • 1 vote
      #1.12 - Wed Jan 27, 2010 7:39 PM EST
      Digits

      Yes I read it and unless I'd read it I would have believed that it came from a Hollywood screenplay akin to a Rated R sexualized & more humiliating version of Lord of the Flies crossed with Big Brother and a Brave New World.

      His childhood was warped to start with. Now for the GOVERNMENT to do this to him? [I frankly cannot get the image of him walking naked bent at the waist in front of everyone along with the bending over the bed naked out of my mind.]

      I want to meet him and hug him better.

      I am also going to clip this to enraged.

      • 3 votes
      #1.13 - Wed Jan 27, 2010 8:09 PM EST
      ERich-356044

      ((((((Digits))))))

      Hugs to you! Like Yadda, I am glad I know you on the vine! And I admire your passion for the ones that no one cares about....

      • 2 votes
      #1.14 - Wed Jan 27, 2010 8:59 PM EST
      YaddaYadda

      Dylan & Digits...thanks for this thread and providing a link to the complaint. I just got done reading it and all I can say is Oh. My. God. This kid was kept in a cell with dried feces and blood on the walls?! He tried to kill himself by chewing though the skin on his wrists and biting into his veins not once, but TWICE? Led past other inmates bent over at the waist and NAKED?! Tazered until he lost control of his bowels???!!!! This makes me so mad I can't even see straight.

      • 2 votes
      #1.15 - Wed Jan 27, 2010 9:18 PM EST
      Proletarian-1299762

      Sounds like a real mess.

      • 1 vote
      #1.16 - Thu Jan 28, 2010 6:32 PM EST
      Reply
      Tony in Arizona

      A horrible and disgusting story. And people have a hard time believing that we torture enemy combatants. Look what we do to our own....and a kid with known mental challenges.

      • 1 vote
      Reply#2 - Wed Jan 27, 2010 4:49 PM EST
      Digits

      Yes. It is horrible and disgusting, Tony.

      I am still quite surprised at reactions of people who seem surprised this goes on. I do not know if they do not read the news, are in denial, have apathy, think the kids deserve it or what. But there've been several stories I have found where kids are mistreated BADLY and cruelly under the auspices of even "helping them." Yet if an animal was treated in the similar manner, the animal would be re-housed and the person charged with animal cruelty.

      • 2 votes
      #2.1 - Wed Jan 27, 2010 5:29 PM EST
      Tony in Arizona

      I hear you, Digits. Makes you wonder if this could happen under the umbrella of 'alleged' law and order, imagine what we face if there is ever a situation where that law and order breaks down.

      • 1 vote
      #2.2 - Wed Jan 27, 2010 5:36 PM EST
      Reply
      Amy-ACLU

      It really is a horrifying story. I don't know how we can treat anyone like this. We at the ACLU of Montana are working hard to get Robert out of this situation. This torture is illegal and we are going to fight for Robert and all inmates who are subjected to this abuse.

      • 2 votes
      Reply#3 - Thu Jan 28, 2010 2:00 AM EST
      Dylan923

      HEY AMY,

      Wow you actually came to the thread. Very cool!!

      You guys are doing a great job for this kid, keep up the good work!!

      • 1 vote
      #3.1 - Thu Jan 28, 2010 6:48 AM EST
      YaddaYadda

      Good for you, Amy! I can't believe that this hasn't made more waves in the MSM. I hope you ram this thing straight up the state of Montana's collective asses. Seriously.

      • 1 vote
      #3.2 - Thu Jan 28, 2010 1:49 PM EST
      Dylan923

      Not too far Yadda, I live here you know......................

      DAMN, the whole town just lost power again. Last weekend's storm was a MF. Just north of us about an hour on the North Dakota line, Bowman County has over 800 power poles down because of this storm, live electric cable everywhere on the ground, what a mess........................

      • 1 vote
      #3.3 - Thu Jan 28, 2010 3:50 PM EST
      YaddaYadda

      Dylan, ok....LOL!!! I should've clarified...when I said state of Montana...I meant "gubmint". Speaking of storms, we in OK are bracing for one hella ice storm right now. Kaz and USAF Vet are probably already getting hit in the shorts because they live west of me...Tulsa, where I live is just getting the precip now.

      I didn't hear about the storm out your way. I don't think most people understand that Montana is actually part of the US, so news from you guys doesn't "count"! LOL

        #3.4 - Thu Jan 28, 2010 6:10 PM EST
        Dylan923

        Yadda are you aware that I used to live in Catoosa? I've played every county bar in that town......................

        Last weekend we had a white out blizzard. There was one drift on highway 7 south of town that was over 20 foot tall and over 200 foot long, it took them two days to clear that one drift. Had to bring in a special blower or something.

          #3.5 - Thu Jan 28, 2010 6:15 PM EST
          YaddaYadda

          No!! I had no idea!! That's totally cool! LOL....every country bar in that town, huh? So, that means you've been on pretty much every street & street corner there... :~) Just like Tulsa...bars & churches...sometimes right next to each other...

          Wow...I can't imagine that much snow in any one place Dylan. It's why I don't live where my folks do, which is just east of St. Paul, MN. But I can imagine why Montana would be a great place to live, though. Lots of space with not a lot of people.

            #3.6 - Thu Jan 28, 2010 6:25 PM EST
            Reply
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