Eyes Mind Heart: TRANQUILITY BAY, JAMAICA - WWASP
Tranquility Bay Jamaica. I relayed the story of Tranquility Bay in Jamaica to my girlfriend over at Eyes Mind Heart and she decided to do a post about it in her blog. S0 check it out. My Friend from Jamaica actually told me about this place a couple of days ago. Since then I have been mesmerized by the stories. I want to know how America, so rich in resources (social services, government run programs, rehabilitation centers, ect..) would put their OWN children off as a problem to other people's countries? I guess a 35 million dollar no profit group is a great tax write off.
Why did I decide to do this, because I am a mother and I think their is a difference between "tough love," and "Child abuse." and the stories went to the core of my heart.
Picture this your child is doing drugs, having truancy issues, disobedient, and finally you are fearful for the safety of your family. They have gone through countless programs in the United States, but nothing seems to help. The next step....JAIL.
One day you are browsing the internet and you come upon a "behavior modification program" that seems to solve all our problems. Do you go for it? I would. I would want hope for my child. I would want a chance that I can love my child again. That my child can be this productive citizen.
So I find the World Wide Associate of Specialty Programs (WWASP). * CURRENTLY THE WWASP SITE IS SHUT DOWN , AlTHOUGH THE NUMBER IS STILL VISIBLE**
The World Wide Association of Specialty Programs (WWASP) is the leading provider of behaviour modification programs for American teens. At the helm of a company which earns $95 million per year is Robert Browning Lichfield, a Utah resident and Mormon, who has built his fortune through the numerous WWASP programs that are located throughout the world. He is in charge of a virtual empire of schools where complaints of physical and sexual abuse are allegedly ignored by American authorities.
Politics are played everywhere in life. One key thing I noticed in reading all the articles, no Jamaican students were placed at "Tranquility Bay." I guess that means Jamaica has "PERFECT" students who don't give any disciplinary problems that warrant any intervention. I however no better. If "ANY JAMAICAN" on the island found out that their child was going through that abuse by the hands of foreign whites on the island, then only Hurricane Gilbert or Dean would save those men from what wrath would come down on them. It would be a scene worse then what was reported in the hills of Guyana. I should also note however, Tranquility Bay is accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools, Universities and Colleges and is also a registered independent school with Jamaica's Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture. (so they do indeed receive a stipend). I mean come on, they can't have the organization in Treasure Island living there for free.
There are countless stories, too numerous to post individually. As my friend on Eyes Mind and Heart discovered. It is easier to document abuse then to cure it. I leave these images on this site as a reminder that children are our most precious resource. Like buds they need love, nutrition, and care to grow. Without those essential factors all life would be lost. So I am doing this blog as well, for the kids that went through the hardships at Tranquility Bay Jamaica.
- Tranquility Bay
- Trickery at Tranquility Bay
- WWASPS Rebuttal
- Court Transcripts
- The Salt Lake City Tribune
- TBFIGHT.COM
The controversy. This according to Wikepedia.
The treatment methods employed by WWASPS institutions are said to be controversial, as there have been allegations of severe abuse and torture by staff at programs supported by WWASPS.[18] The programs have been the subject of legal investigations by several U.S. states.[19]
Numerous former students or their parents have filed lawsuits against WWASPS, its personnel, or individual schools. Most have been settled out of court or dismissed for procedural reasons. For example, a 2005 lawsuit filed in California on behalf of more than 20 plaintiffs was dismissed because the judge found that California lacked jurisdiction. In June 2007, Utah attorney Thomas M. Burton told a reporter that six suits he had filed against WWASPS on behalf of his clients had been dismissed on procedural grounds. WWASPS president Ken Kay told an interviewer that lawsuits against WWASPS are ploys to get money, brought by people who "are never going to be happy."[20] A lawsuit filed in 2007 against WWASPS and its founder, Robert Lichfield, on behalf of 133 plaintiffs alleging physical and sexual abuse and fraudulent concealment of abuse has brought negative publicity to Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, because Lichfield is one of six co-chairs of the Utah state fundraising committee for Romney's campaign.[20][21]
In August, 2007, Randall Hinton was convicted of one count each of third degree assault and false imprisonment, for mistreating students at the WWASP-affiliated Royal Gorge Academy, of which he was manager and co-founder. However, the jury returned verdicts of "not guilty" on four other counts of third-degree assault and one other count of false imprisonment. [22]
TRANQUILITY? HARDLY!! ONE STUDENT REFLECTS AND SAYS, "ADMIST THE SCREAMS OF THE STUDENTS HELD IN OP (OBSERVATION PLACEMENT, I HEARD THE WAVES CRASHING AGAINST THE SHORE."
