Readers Respond to Judge Rotenberg Center Stories
Our Patch readers are actively debating the issues regarding the Judge Rotenberg Center in Canton.
A series of articles on Canton's Judge Rotenberg Center has sparked a heated debate among Canton Patch readers. Since Patch reported on the indictment of JRC Founder Matthew Israel back in May, and followed up with two additional stories this past week, the comments from opponents and supporters have been posted at a rapid pace.
No other story on the Canton Patch website, since its launch in November 2010, has created such emotional conversations online.
As the final piece in our three-part series, we wanted our readers' voices to be heard. Here is a selection of comments and letters that our readers wrote.
Writing on Behalf of the Disabled
Reader Venus Heard reached out to Patch after reading the first article on Israel's indictment. As a disabled woman and advocate, she penned a letter to the editor to speak out on behalf of disabled people across the country.
"Just because a person is disabled, does not mean that they do not have a voice," Venus wrote. "They may not be able to tell you what is wrong due to multiple reasons...Disabled people need to be heard because they are people with feelings and have families just as all of us do."
The View from a Student at JRC
Geovani, a Patch reader that identifies himself as a former student at JRC, wrote about his unfortunate experience back in 2003. Geovani spoke of the mistreatment he received at the center.
It felt "more like a prison then (sic) a treatment center," Geovani wrote. "I then decided had enuff (sic) after I been thru(sic) countless days of mistreatment, I kept complaining to my mom. She finally sent one letter then after that she came to get me out of there."
"Just telling you guys my JRC stories from the inside. I have a lot of other details. It's just a horrific mad house in their. (sic) I pray it gets shut down!"
A JRC Opponent's Point of View
Adamant opponent of the JRC's practices, reader Dan Farnkoff wrote about being against the use of aversives and his distaste for Matthew Israel.
"He's guilty of being a morally bankrupt charlatan, that's for sure," Farnkoff wrote. "Maybe instead of probation they should have hooked [Israel] up to the GED for a few days and let his "students" take turns pressing the button. That would have at least come close to actual justice for the man's crimes, though I admit that it would be a little inhumane."
Another opponent spoke out against JRC Lawyer Michael Flammia's comments on the radio boycott.
Lisa Williams identifies herself as a member of COPPA, The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc., and an advocate. She said the nonprofit COPPA has 1,200 members and advocates for the rights of special needs children.
"Flammia, you say the boycott will not have any effect," Williams wrote. "We will see about that! I am a member of COPPA and I don't like you, Matthew Israel or JRC. I am going to send letters and emails to stations and ask them to not advertise for the JRC."
A JRC Supporter Speaks Out
One supporter wrote in to share her point of view.
"Attorney Flammia, You're doing a great job," Christine S. wrote. "Keep it up. JRC needs to remain open for those people who severely hurt themselves and others, and who don't respond to Positive Only Programming."
"JRC has saved so many lives. Thank you for fighting to save lives," Christine wrote.
A Parent Supporter of JRC Speaks Out
Eudessa I. wrote her comments directly to George Deabold, who was interviewed in the radio boycott story and has actively commented on the Patch site.
"I am just curious about you and what you are fighting for," Eudessa wrote. "Do you have a child who has severe challenging behaviors that does self abuse and severely hurt other people? Do you have a child whose application was rejected by all schools in NY? Do you have a child who was moved from JRC, placed in a NY school again and then was hospitalized because of the severity of his self-injurious behaviors and was put in a 4 point strap in a hospital in NY?"
"Oh, incidentally, my son is on the positive reinforcement only and not on the GED program, yet he improved a lot. I am a mother and I know what is best for my son," she wrote.
Special Needs Parent Opposing the Treatment at JRC
Reader Tom Rosati wrote that he is a parent of a special needs child and opposes the treatment at the JRC.
Rosati also directed his comments to George Deabold.
"Mr. Deabold keep up the good work," he wrote. "I can see from reading the threads of this website that you have done your homework. I want to thank you for standing up for the children. I have read alot about the center. I find it very odd that this place has been around for about 40 years. I can see that a few parents posted in favor of the center."
"I know of one of the parents that packed their kid up and sent him to Rotenberg.This guy and his wife could have kept the child at home and sent the child to the same school that my son goes to," he wrote.
"I think any parent that sends their child off to that place needs to be shocked back to reality," he wrote.
Continue to Follow the Story on Canton Patch
As the story develops, stay tuned to Canton Patch for the latest updates and be sure to read all of the comments on the JRC stories.
Randi Wood
3:54 pm on Saturday, July 2, 2011
Canton,Rotenberg let the children go ! !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP5EfwBWgg0&feature=related
Walter Benjamin
1:12 pm on Sunday, July 3, 2011
One of the former JRC staff spoke out about the center.
quote. “What is largely missing at JRC is state oversight, where appropriate individuals review the treatments that students are receiving on a regular basis and monitor what treatments are necessary after other methods have been exhausted. Every behavior for which student receives shocks needs to be monitored. Psychologists have left because they were not permitted to use other approaches published in psyciatric journals before resorting to shocks. JRC currently has free reign to shock students for minor behaviors. They use the major behaviors as an excuse, and continue to shock students after progress is made and other methods are available. Example: student shocked for closing his eyes for five seconds AFTER he quit self-abusive and aggressive behaviors and had become pleasant. That is when additional behaviors are stacked on without safegaurds that NEED to be implemented. “
The advocate is doing the right thing by pushing to have the center closed !
I Support the radio boycott !!!
Walter Benjamin
Walter Benjamin
1:32 pm on Sunday, July 3, 2011
One whistle blower reported that they have seen , other autistic children and adults in the vicinity of the person about to be shocked also start screaming in terror when a JRC person reaches for their shock belt as they think that the shock may be meant for them. At times, these autistic people get shocked because they screamed in fear of possibly being shocked. This is barbaric and needs to stop.
School watch
2:33 pm on Monday, July 4, 2011
The Judge Rotenberg Center has over 800 employees, some of the employees must live in Canton . We are reaching out to all Rotenberg employees for information about the center. Please post the information on this site or email the information to SchoolWatch.
Email : Schoolwatch4kids@yahoo.com
George Deabold
8:49 am on Tuesday, July 5, 2011
3 weeks of training and your on your way ! It's shocking ! ! Low wages ? Unskilled labor ? Rates paid at The Judge Rotenberg Center. "No experience is required for most positions."
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Select a schedule that fits your needs. No experience is required for most positions. Three weeks of paid ($8.00 per hour) pre-service training is provided plus ample in-service training and feedback.
PLEASE NOTE: HIGHER PAY RATE LISTED BELOW IS FOR HAVING A B.A. or B.S. IN JRC RELATED FIELD (+$1.00).
Apply Online!
Mental Health Assistant-F/T Varied schedule ($14.50-$15.50)
Mental Health Assistant-P/T 32 hrs Varied schedule ($13.30-$14.30)
Mental Health Assistant-F/T Weekend schedule ($14.00-$15.00)
Mental Health Assistant-P/T (32hrs) Weekend schedule ($14.00-$15.00)
Mental Health Assistant-F/T Overnight schedule ($12.75-$13.75)
Mental Health Assistant-P/T 32 hrs Overnight schedule ($11.80-$12.80)
Mental Health Assistant-P/T 24 hrs Overnight schedule ($11.30-$12.30)
Mental Health Assistant-F/T Evening schedule ($12.75-$13.75)
Mental Health Assistant-P/T Evening schedule ($11.30-$13.30)
Mental Health Assistant-F/T Day schedule ($11.75-$12.75)
Mental Health Assistant-P/T Day schedule ($11.30-$12.30)
Mental Health Assistant Shift Substitutes: day hours, various hours ($11.30-$12.30)
Mental Health Assistant Shift Substitutes: evening hours, 3PM-8PM only ($11.30-$12.30)
George Deabold
9:02 am on Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Is the Judge Rotenberg Center growing- fast or fading- fast ?
Are they false advertising ? I know that the NY population was higher in 2005 than it is now. I have the documents from NYSED.
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The Judge Rotenberg Educational Center (JRC) is a fast-growing, highly structured residential special needs program located in Canton, within commuting distance of Boston and Providence that serves children, adolescents and adults presenting a wide array of challenging behaviors, including autism and/or conduct/psychiatric disorders. JRC's program involves the consistent application of a wide range of effective behavioral principles to education and treatment.
lisa Williams
8:02 pm on Friday, July 8, 2011
People of Canton, are you proud that the Rotenberg Center is yours.
People of Canton,don't you have anything to say about the Judge Rotenberg Center ?
Canton MA. you are the child abuse capital of the world !! I guess we all know a place that would welcome Casey Anthony.(Canton MA.) People of Canton If Casey moves to Canton will you make her your Mayor ?
Anita Perez
9:18 pm on Saturday, July 9, 2011
Nobody could be proud that the Rotenberg Center is where they live.
I say close it down and bulldoze the place. I will boycott the radio station that run ads for the place.
Albert Koch
11:06 pm on Saturday, July 9, 2011
I will no longer run ads on Clear Channel Radio Stations ! !
Mass Parent
1:26 am on Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Thank goodness for people like George Deabold who are putting in so much time and effort to fight these atrocities. There is no justification for this inhumane and unethical treatment of human beings. Scientifically these practices do not hold up either.
George Deabold
3:20 pm on Thursday, August 11, 2011
The Rotenberg Center has alot of issues and they will be looked into.I herd that the police have been called to the center again last week.Does anyone have the info ?
I am going to foil the local police logs and 911 tapes.
George Deabold
2:48 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
The Video of a disabled teen tied down and given painful electric shocks for seven hours should be made public, The public has the right to know what goes on at that place.That place gets public money ! Public money should not be used to hurt children.
Read more: http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/undercover/teen-tied-and-shocked-for-hours-mom-calls-it-torture-20120219#ixzz1n8qbCtKN
George Deabold
6:39 pm on Monday, June 25, 2012
I just got a call ! This bill passed last thursday and now its off to the Governor.Its the end of the road for The Judge Rotenberg Center !! The bill was approved by the NY State Senate and now its off to the Govenor. JRC can kiss the NY funding GoodBye...
http://m.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/S6294A-2011 Its just about over for The Judge Rotenberg Center - The bill passed last thursday and now its off to the Governor.
http://m.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/S6294A-2011Itsm.nysenate.gov
http://m.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/S6294A-2011Its
m.nysenate.gov