DIAMOND RANCH ACADEMY

Hurricane, UT

  diamond ranch academy--repeated epa violations!

Ref: SENF-W, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8, Docket. No. SDWA-08-2007-0047

 

"The above referenced public drinking water system (at Diamond Ranch Academy) has violated certain provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), 42 U.S.C. Subsection 300f, et seq., and the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations at 40 C.F.R. part 141.  The violations consist of failure to monitor for chlorine residual, nitrate, lead/copper, and total coliform, failure to provide public notice, and failure to notify the state of violations.  Our records, obtained from the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, indicate the violations noted below. 

Date of Violation	Violation
2006	Failure to monitor maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDL
2005	(monitor monthly, report quarterly, compliance based on annual averages)
2004	(   )
2006	Failure to monitor for nitrate
2006	Failure to monitor for lead/copper
2004	(  )
April 2006	Failure to monitor for total coliform bacteria
Sept. 2005	(  )
Nov. 2003	(  )
August 2005	Failure to take 5 additional routine total coliform samples
Feb. & Nov. 2004	after a total coliform positive sample the preceding month.
Oct. 2003	(  )
Oct. 2004	Maximum contaminant level exceedance for total coliform bacteria
2003-2005	Failure to provide public notice of violations
2003-2006	Failure to report violations to the State
ONGOING!!!

the unconscionable and arguably illegal diamond ranch academy contract:

This is the opinion of HEAL only.  We recommend you discuss any contract with your own attorney before signing it.  As you will see, we believe it to be unconscionable and illegal based on our knowledge and experience.  It is not legal advice.  Please consult with an attorney.  On Page 1   1.1.  PROGRAM   "youth rehabilitation program"   --  suggests a private prison/corrections over treatment or mental health assistance   On Page 2   3.2  SPONSOR SUPPORT AND AFTER CARE   "Sponsor agrees not to interfere with the staff or management of Diamond Ranch Academy in the performance of their duties.  Sponsor's participation in the Program will be by invitation from Diamond Ranch Academy, and not at the Sponsor's own instance."--  Basically this requires absolute obedience by the entire family to The Program.  It requires parents not question the authority of the program and bars parents from communication with the child or the program unless at the invitation of DRA.  This is unconscionable.  Even when seeking medical treatment we are encouraged to question our doctors and get second opinions.  This exposes the controlling nature of the program and how it is more like a cult than any kind of treatment program.   On Page 5   4.3  DAMAGE TO AND LOSS OF PROPERTY   "However, where damage or loss occurs to Participant's personal property, due to theft negligence, accident, or other actions of the Participant or others, Sponsor hereby releases Diamond Ranch Academy of any liability or responsibility..."   This is an uneven, unfair, and arguably unconscionable term.  The problem is Diamond Ranch Academy accepts no liability even for its own wrong-doing.  Yet, it expects the Participant and his/her family to accept full liability and responsibility even though the program has complete control over the environment.    4.4  RUNAWAY EXPENSES   This whole section was problematic.  Diamond Ranch Academy asks for total adherents to its program, denies parents access to their children, and then puts all responsibility for anything that may go wrong, even if it is DRA's fault, on to the parents.  This is unconscionable.   On Page 6   4.5 TEMPORARY VISITATION   "...Participant during the period of Participant's absense from the Diamond Ranch Academy facility and further waives any claims or causes of action against Diamond Ranch Academy which relate to, arise out of, or occur during the period of Participant's absense from the Diamond Ranch Academy facility, hereunder, including, but not limited to Participant's transportation to and from the Diamond Ranch Academy facility."   Again, problematic.  If DRA staff are driving the participant and said staff acts willfully or negligently in a manner that causes harm to the participant, DRA should be held liable in suit.  It is unconscionable for DRA to demand that parents indemnify the program against all wrongful acts committed willfully or negligently by the program.   4.6  DAMAGE OR INJURY TO PERSONS   Unconscionable for same reasons as above.   5.1  TERMINATION BY SPONSOR   5.2  TERMINATION BY RANCH   These two terms cancel each other out to some extent.  Sponsor/parent is not legally required to wait 5 days to remove a child from a dangerous situation and DRA has no right to put such a condition on family members dissatisfied with their program.  This is unconscionable.  But, DRA reserves the right to terminate at any time with no notification requirement as is required by DRA to the parents in 5.1  This is an unfair exchange/term voidable or void depending on the courts.   5.3  LIQUIDATED DAMAGES   This is likely unconscionable because DRA is committing fraud and they have no right to demand compensation if a family figures out the con and rescues their child.    On Page 7   6.1  GENERAL RELEASE OF LIABILITY   Unconscionable for same reasons as 4.5 and 4.6 above   6.2  MEDICAL TREATMENT RELEASE OF LIABILITY   Unconscionable for same reasons as above.  DRA owes a duty of due care to insure proper medical services are provided in the event of illness or injury.  Failing to provide adequate medical care due to willful greed or cruelty or negligence is actionable and it is unconscionable to require a release of liability in such events.   6.4  PERSONAL SEARCH   It is unconscionable to strip search a child and to be released of liability of damage or injury should result.    6.5  GUIDANCE AND DISCIPLINE   Requires permission to use force.  Restraints are misused in these programs all the time and they call every physical abuse part of a "restraint" to fool parents into thinking they agreed to it or that enough confusion could be raised about resulting injuries and the release of liability required by DRA is unconscionable.   6.6  PERSONAL RELEASE   It is unconscionable to ask a parent if it is okay to violate the privacy rights of the child enrolled by having photos and videos of the child used in promotional materials for the program.  See www.heal-online.org/legalarguments.htm  You will find a lot of laws applying to minor's rights and case law showing that parents do not have the right to waive the rights of their minor children.  Parents can only waive their own rights.  The fact that time and again (strip search/video/etc.) DRA is contracting to violate the rights of minors with the parents is itself illegal and unconscionable.    Page 8   6.8  TRANSPORT CUSTODY   Problematic because it gives total control of the child to DRA in allowing them to transport the child, even across any state lines, for any purpose they deem fit.    Other programs in this industry have transported children for sexual abuse/sexual exploitation and this particular portion is a serious concern.   7.2  NON-DISCLOSURE   This is unconscionable.  DRA requires you to okay the publication of your family's participation in the program but demands nothing about the program or your participation ever be disclosed.  DRA demands protection of their secrets but does not provide confidentiality for participants and families.  This is horribly unfair/imbalanced on its face and therefore unconscionable.   8.2  E-MAIL COMMUNICATION   DRA will deny parents contact with their children if any fees or payments or late.  This is a punitive measure and over-steps the bounds of what is reasonable.  It is an unconscionable term.  If people were outraged that poor school children were given a plain cheese sandwich for being unable to pay for a hot lunch, imagine the outrage of a "school" denying parent-child contact for late payment.  It is outrageous.   Page 9   8.4  DISCLAIMER   "Diamond Ranch Academy has made no representations or warranties with respect to the results that may be achieved from the Participant's admission to the Diamond Ranch Academy Program."   So, basically, pay us, give us your kid, we will do whatever we want with him and any resulting injury will be your fault because we don't guarantee that what we do does any good at all.  This is unconscionable.   8.5  PARTICIPANT'S RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND LIMITATIONS   This section does not include any rights.  But, it does state that the Participant must follow the rules and obey staff at all times.  This is unconscionable.  Obedience does develop critical thinking skills necessary for problem solving and adult life.  Also, the fact that children are not allowed to leave the facility at any time.  This is a cult and a prison, not a treatment center or mental health facility.    Page 10   8.8  JURISDICTION...   Problematic...  Of course they want the only judge to be the one in their weirdo Washington County (ERA is in Wash County too).  But, since they are engaging in interstate business, a federal court or the jurisdiction of the victim is more appropriate.  Federal Court is the most appropriate since it involved an interstate transaction.  This seems unconscionable and would likely be stricken by a court.   Page 13   PERSONAL PROPERTY LIST   It is disturbing that children are not allowed additional personal reading materials besides religious materials which are optional.  This is a serious concern.  Also, it is strange that children are not allowed more photos of loved ones.    Page 16   BEHAVIORAL BACKGROUND   3.  OTHER INAPPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES   Occult-related activity Sexual activity   Now, both of these are legal for people to be involved in within the United States.  And, many teenagers have reached the age of consent in their respective states.  Also, reading your horoscope is considered an Occult Activity and this seems unprofessional and inappropriate of DRA to include it.   See, above under 2--Illegal Activity--it includes Sex Offense, so, it really isn't necessary to include a separate category for legal activity.  A child should not lose their liberty for doing what they are legally allowed to do as US citizens.  There is something seriously wrong with that.    Page 18   FAMILY RELATIONS   Too subjective...  Doesn't include all perspectives written from the individual's point of view.  And, not a legitimate way to diagnose problems.

SURVIVOR STATEMENT #1

(Removed at author's request on December 15th, 2010)

 

SURVIVOR STATEMENT #2

 

DECLARATION UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY

PURSUANT TO 28 USCA 1746

I, ____Anonymous (verified)_____________, declare and state as follows:

1.   Diamond Ranch Academy

2.   Hurricane, Utah

3.   11/17/2007-9/26/2008

4.   They're coming back. All my bad memories are coming back. November 17th, 2007 5am. Confusion. Where were these strangers taking me? Looked to my parents for answers. But they're faces had none. All I saw was sadness from my mom and blankness from my dad. I remember getting in their care. Seeing my parents for the last time for 5 months. I remember both of their faces. At the airport confusion was still my main emotion. Where was I going? The only bit of information I knew was that I was going to "school". The plane ride was full of questions that the 2 transporters would not answer. They covered it up with food and drink offerings. I was neither hungry nor thirsty. We landed in Las Vegas. I was tired so I slept on the car ride to my destination. I remember waking up on a highway. Desert all over. I wasn't in Las Vegas. I was in Hurricane, Utah. Middle of nowhere. In the distance I could see assorted metal buildings. Not to compare my experiences with Nazi concentration camps but you will see many similarities throughout this passage. I felt as if I arrived at Berkanau. They tried to make the place look decent. It did from one view, and then you turn your head and its desert or weathered trees. I arrive at what was called the "blue house". Looked exactly as it sounded. I entered a small room and was sat down. "What's your name?" Asked a muscular assistant program director. "CJ Clark" I said. "Your real name" he asked getting tempered already. "Christian" I said. I was stripped of all my possessions except for my shoes and coat. I was told to remove my clothes. My clothes were then searched and I was made to turn around many times, naked, to make sure I had nothing on me. They provided with me a bright orange hoodie and sweat pants. You'd think that the desert is hot all year round. Not in winter. I was told I was to be sent to the first component of the program called "homeless". I was literally homeless. Outside all the time. Breakfast was oats. Not those brown sugary oats you would usually eat for breakfast. It was oats, water, and powdered milk. That's it. That was breakfast every day. Lunch and Dinner were always the same. Either undercooked or burnt rice and a bean called a lentil. That's it. 16 days of freezing winds outside every day. Also the homeless component contained the most rigorous physical training throughout the program. First day I arrived I was to run a mile straight. No walking at all. You walk you'll run longer. I hadn't run more than a few meters in years. First 1/2 a lap I was dying. My chest was burning. Very little oxygen was going into my brain.  My other companions in the component attempted to pep talk me to keep going. They were scolded and made to run more. There was no talking between anyone in this component. I staggered my way another 2 laps before just giving up. In this level of the program you had to pass 14 successful days. I failed my first day for this incident. The rest of this level was filled with 2 work projects a day. Out there in the freezing cold literally digging tracks for a new parking lot. I was a slave laborer. There was nothing I could do. The best part of my day was sleeping. The only rest I got. I looked forward to it every day. I completed my 14th successful on my 16th day. I had to make a fire out of a bow and some wood. I was then upgraded a level. I was now a student. I got to eat regular food. Not allot but it was somewhat normal. I got to go to school. It felt pretty good. Now think of this. Your life seems fucking amazing because you get to eat peanut butter and jelly instead of burnt rice. Your life is 10 times better because you now get to attend school. Regular school. While in the "inside" you were able to talk to other program students during very short time slots. During those all we talked about how we look forward to life on the outside. To see civilization again. Have a small piece of chocolate. Having the privilege to speak with your own family when you want. All these things were distant memories for us. When we weren't being terrorized by the simple fact of little contact with your family the staff had fun with your emotions. When you broke a rule you received a citation. Each cite is worth a certain amount of points which at the end of the week would add up and determine if we got put on what's called "unemployment". This was another component after school for kids that broke too many rules. You were to pull around a large cart everywhere you went. You did physical training just like you did in the first level. You were to sit silent in a room and work for hours on end. Back to playing with emotions. Staff had the power to cite anyone at anytime. So they played with you. Even if it was during a time where you were allowed to talk they would take that away. If you talked you were cited. Cites equaled a more miserable life. Even if you didn't break the rule they would cite you just to see you break down. They'll say this never happened but ask any kid that's been there. It happens all the time. And then there were the restraints. If you were out of line a staff could take you down and bend your wrist behind your back and apply pressure to "calm you down". If you have never been in a bent wrist control hold basically it sucks. But then there were the kids that couldn't help their actions. Mentally retarded kids aged 12, 13, and 14. I recount a student that was autistic. Very nice and caring kid. 13 years old. But couldn't control his anger and energy. He has his outbursts and he was cranked just like anyone else. Except he got it way more than regular kids. He had a handicap. HE COULDN'T HELP IT. And yet he was still made to run and taken down when he thought he was not doing anything bad. Think about this. Think of a brother, cousin, friend that has a mental handicap. Put him in a situation with nothing to look forward to. Always being run and restrained. Little contact with his family. I can't imagine. I've witnessed kids being emotionally terrorized by staff. I remember and instance where everyone was to partake in what was called an amnesty. We were to write down everything we'd done wrong or witnessed someone else do something wrong. Every director was there. These people had control of your life. We were given strict instructions not to look up from our paper. There was a 13 years old kid that got to see his parents for the first time in 5 months later that day. He looked to the left for 2 seconds. He was yelled at. The program director said that his visit was cancelled. He would not be able to see his parents for another long while. He straight up cried in front of everyone. Nobody came to comfort him. He was alone. We were all alone. Take a look at their website: http://www.diamondranchacademy.com

90 percent of what is on that site is a lie. Ask me anything about it. It's most likely a manipulative try to get the parents' money. Everyone all I can say is do your best. Don't get sent away. Don't go through what I did. You can prevent it.

            I give HEAL permission to use this statement.  I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.  Executed on __May 5th_________________, 2009.

 

 

                                                                        ________________________________

                                                                        Anonymous (Click here to contact the author!)                                           

                                                                         PRIVATE

                                                                        SPECIAL NOTE:  Statute does not require notary.

 

SURVIVOR STATEMENT #3

DECLARATION UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY

PURSUANT TO 28 USCA 1746

 

 

            I, [private] declare and state as follows:

1.   Diamond Ranch Academy

2.   Hurricane, Utah

3.   March 19, 2007 – December 19, 2007

4.   I too have had an awful experience in my  nine month stay at Diamond Ranch Academy, located in Hurricane Utah. This is a very difficult subject and a very negative time in my life and is hard to talk about. I will fill you in on the details as much as I can remember.

 My family told me that I would be going to look at a boarding school and decide if I wanted to stay.

I have always lived in British Columbia, Canada and I had no idea what a "program" was.

I arrived for my tour at D.R.A on March 19, 2007. While getting my tour of the ranch, I decided that I didn't like it. I guess my family had already signed the papers and the staff were telling me I had no choice. It was so heartbreaking to hear that you can't leave with your parents. I couldn't believe these people were telling me that I couldn't leave. They held me while I watched my family drive down the 2 mile dirt road. This was just the beginning. They took me to the "blue house" and proceeded to yank out my nose ring, my earrings. They took away all my belongings and told me to strip down. This was so violating. Being a virgin, I have never let anyone see me naked. I felt so violated during the strip search. I remember just standing there crying my eyes out and the staff just standing there... they didn't care.They told me that if I behaved properly that everything would be okay. I was so scared, that I could barely function. I couldn't believe what was happening. I was then taken over to the boys campus where the nurse's station was located. They told me that in order to stay that I would need to give a blood sample. When I was younger I had a bad experience with a needle when I was in the hospital, so i was terrified. I told them that i didn't feel comfortable giving them my blood. The nurse (a 250 pound man) told me that: "We could do this the easy way, or the hard way".

Still refusing he called in another woman and another male staff to have me restrained. In which I was sat on, held down and unwillingly had my blood drawn.

This was so traumatizing. In the first level called "homeless" we weren't allowed any rights. We had to raise our hand for everything. I got in trouble a couple of times because I put on lip chap without asking. We had to sit cross legged for hours on the cement working on silly projects. We were given oats (water and oatmeal) and fruit for breakfast. For lunch we had rice and lentils and dinner was rice and lentils. We were given a 4L Milk jug that was filled up with tap water daily that we were forced to drink, yet we could only go to the outhouse a few times a day when they felt like taking us. I know of 4 girls that had urinated themselves because a staff member wouldn't allow them to use the washroom. If you didn't do what you were told you had to do "energy release". This is where Ricky Dias could make you run up and down a field for 3 hours in the scorching hot sun with no water. I remember Ricky Dias yelling at a girl for not getting out of the shower on time the night before. He told this girl that if it happened again tonight he would: "Rip her out of the shower by her hair naked."

You weren't allowed to talk to your parents for the first couple of weeks. You were completely isolated and unable to talk to anyone. The homeless staff would humiliate you in front of others and made me feel worthless. I felt like a horrible person and I began to believe what they told me.

I 100 percent believe that Diamond Ranch Academy is a brainwashing scam.

Thankfully I was only in that Homeless level for 20 days. Things get a little bit better once you are no longer in the "homeless component''. Once inside you could write a 1 post card to your parents Monday-Friday. You were given a 30 minute phone call every 2 weeks with your parents. You couldn't talk to your friends or other family. If you told them anything negative in either the phone call or postcard you were in huge trouble. Usually resulting in being dropped a level which made you stay for another 2 weeks. It was considered "manipulation" to tell your parents that you want to go home. I couldn't even tell my mom that I missed her.

To make a miserable long story short; I faked the entire program to get out earlier. I sucked up to every single staff and made sure that they loved me. I was also encouraged to "tell" on other girls when they were doing something they shouldn't. This looked really good if you told on other girls.

I graduated after 9 long months and went home in December 2007. I did okay for about a week after being home and then relapsed.

I don't even have words to express how much anger and hatred I have towards all the staff of DRA and the program. For the past 2 years now I have at least 1 nightmare a week about being at DRA. I have developed such harsh anxiety and have even been medicated because of it. I would have a panic attack if I thought about DRA or after a nightmare. It is very difficult to live with. I HIGHLY discourage anyone from sending their kids to a program. They may look like they have changed, but it is out of fear.

I give HEAL permission to use this statement.  I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.  Executed on May 13, 2009

 

 

                                                                        ________________________________

                                                                        Anonymous

(We have verified this person and their statement.  If you'd like information or to contact them you can do so by sending HEAL a request that we will forward to the author.  NO ABUSIVE OR DISRESPECTFUL MESSAGES WILL BE FWD'D!)

                                                                        PRIVATE

                                                                        PRIVATE

                                                                        SPECIAL NOTE:  STATUTE DOES

                                                                        NOT REQUIRE NOTARY]

 

SURVIVOR STATEMENT #4

DECLARATION UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY

PURSUANT TO 28 USCA 1746

 

 

            I, _____ Aaron [Private]_____________, declare and state as follows:

1.   [NAME OF PROGRAM]..Diamond Ranch Academy       

2.   [LOCATION OF PROGRAM] Hurricane Utah

3.   [PERIOD OF INTERNMENT  MM/YY TO MM/YY] 6/23/06-12-23-07

4.   [DECLARATIVE   STATEMENT] Yes

 Living with the ghosts--a donation to the present and future  

 There I am torn from reality into a pseudo-society which my dog gets better treatment then these people.  I have eaten out of a bright metal bowl on the ground while Utah thunderstorms shed ounces of water into my 16 oz of barely thawed out rice.  Slowly and slowly I started to realize how much I had changed from a hard drug addict to a Brainwashed cult member. Being locked in a 450 square foot white cinderblock room hopeless while I am seriously wishing I was in jail where I can be myself. Everywhere I went they went single file without a word being spoken. Many nights I remember crawling in my bed with drops of urine on my sheets from a top bunk that had a teenager with a bladder issue.  I found myself at times in a shower that had feces in it from a teen in my family of 10 who did not belong at a tough love facility... Adding to the issue there where a lack of nursing for anything. All types and sorts where sent to this tough love camp, anywhere between children dealing with family lose to gang members Aged 12-17 ½.  I didn’t see my parents for 7 months at a time. That was against the law so they had to make an exception.
 

Therapy was meaningless and most of the time was overlooked here you can see myself with my therapist. The kid who did all that on my mattress is in the green.(http://www.diamondranchacademy.com/therapy/therapeutic-program.php)They legally have to take you out once a week to speak with you and once every two weeks you can call your parents. In this picture my therapist decided to double up sessions to accommodate the increase in people. When this happened the normal 8 beds per dorm maximum turned into 8 people in bunks and six on the floor. Not to get into more detail about malpractice I can recall a therapist being fired for an “issue” with a girl. No one said anything and the girl got pulled from the program. Obviously something happened.  A lot of this went on daily the thing is in the middle of nowhere next to a polygamist colony no one really cares.
 

They had a system of cites which was a alternative of punishment. I ended up with over 365 or pieces of paper each paper for a different thing I did wrong one week. That’s how much I stopped caring and ended up being sent to homeless for a good 7 months of my program. This was there hardest form of punishment which had happened to be the first part of the program. I had a lot of exercise a lot of rice a lot of punishment. When they are bored at 3 am and want to torment someone you get sent out at 3 am in the morning. In the middle of winter for things as little as sharing food you would receive this.  I lost over 10 pounds of muscle all my body fat and due to the fact I was always sitting Indian style I have herniated l4 and l5 discs. I was involved in and everything that functioned there and pretty much helped out at every job.  I knew how they worked and it pissed them off that I knew that they lied to my parents that I was losing weight naturally. Go ahead and put fat camps out of work if you must but this is more like a concentration camp. I would try and write home or tell my parents how I felt on the phone but the more I let out the truth the more they hung up or tore up my postcards.  Check this out though this is the most important factor of the program.  If you write your parents your being abused they rip it up.

 

I have seen a male physically restrain a girl while she screamed for him to get off her and started crying from the amount of force he applied to the restraint. WHERE WAS THE FEMALE STAFF HMM? Sounds FOXY to me.

 

I have seen friends restrained in urine while urinating due to lack of bathroom and being forced to drink a gallon of water daily. Obviously they told you when you can speak, eat, sleep, turn you head to look, use the bathroom. The worst part out of everything was the rice and lentils. I would go days without any nutrients. There is mold all over the ceilings above the kitchen. When you stole staff food you would be forced to eat food with nothing but rice soaked in pickle juice and sauerkraut. They even went as far to soak oatmeal in hot pickle juice. It was so acidic kids where throwing up and I would get a bowl down and try to not throw up. Yet the thing is they made rules like if one person stole food in homeless they would make everyone suffer. That’s called blanket punishment so I gave up and stopped eating sauerkraut.  After being threatened to be restrained for 30 minutes and have a fat feeding needle stuck in my arm I had a bowl of sauerkraut a day to keep the needle away. The third week there I received serious food poisoning from rice that had hand sanitizer snuck into it by a deranged kitchen staff. He was making food unsupervised at snuck behind the camera.  So the cooks leave at night and leave the cooking up to the kids. Most of the teens did the work due to that fact. You can find proof that they let 13 year olds handle and manage large amounts of food without any certifications or permits after they fed “fresh” food to goats.  Hands and dishes never washed.  Out of everything that pissed me off I find that the place ends up taking in the teens and baptizing them into a LDS and this is with the family that owns the place. There is no limit to what the family would do. One time I tried to tell a parent and her son not to come here and was lectured on how I should express those feelings to her directly. So if reading this and trying to figure out this place get in touch with any kid and ask did you enjoy it.

 

As far as dorms go nasty beds that have been used from 2002 have holes dust mites and 90% have urine and other fluids on them. Mold in the pipes no hot water at night unless its summer. 5 minute showers without soap sometimes. Other malpractices include hiding bedding when state inspection comes. I have spoken with state inspection but they seem to give three craps in the wind what I had to say.

There have seen combinations of cocktails given to recovering minds such as high doses of three different psychotropic mood controllers and high doses of amphetamine based medication while taking a benzodiazepine. . In the morning we would be forced to take medication and eat food which had no nutritional value. Lucky me I had been given only one anti depressant. There was this big book that had all our names in it that we would sign with our name next to the medication we took. Sometimes I would catch of others pages. It seemed to me they loved giving out lithium for about everything.

 

 Early one day I witnessed a child have the most intense panic attack I ever have seen. The kid told us he had been raped beaten and abused his whole life the staff knew this and yet he had to pull a cart by himself while we watched when he snapped they had four staff one per limb towards breaking point. Not the kind of treatment someone with that emotional baggage deserves. With knees on the back of his neck, and being PINCHED on every pressure point the fifteen year old had. This also was the most distraught I have ever seen someone yet he still managed to barely breathe. I have over 30 different voices screaming out that echo in my mind from this treatment. I can recall my first day in the beginning stage where I was sent face down into lava rocks by the programs owner son, yet there was grass next to the lava. I thought to myself later on in the program what I had gotten my first day beats getting your arm broken like a thirteen year old 90 pound sixth grader did for not obeying program structure. Who did this didn’t believe the 13 year old child and forced him do psychical exercise with a broken arm. Then when the kid started crying, he was forced to do something else other and then forced to keep running.

Who may ever send your child here this place is filled with deception (http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=381747488&albumID=1143602&imageID=17232469) The kids are told to smile and that’s  are places/websites you can look up there so many cover ups and the staffs past which include but not limited to resisting arrest dealing and hard drug usage.  The family uses this place as a front for stealing at the damage to many young struggling individuals. My family is in debt over 100,000. The things I’ve come forward about will help close doors that have been open too long and I will not rest tell this is my gone to an end. There will be more of these letters as I am very connected with lifelong friends who suffered here. There will be others including staff willing to aid in this effort. I added personal links of pictures due to my creditability based on the facts I have.   It is great to read a letter of one of my homeless students (homeless is the beginning) I had mentored at the end of my program.  I am grateful for a website such as this and will do all in my power to make the best description. Please understand this is an account of over a year and a half of my life.

http://www.diamondranchacademy.com/program/testimonials.php  They believe that there 49 percent of my custody during 6/21/06-12/21/07 “ENTITLES” them to any picture taken or letters written of or by me. I am still on DRA’s website .I called the family to take me off from a unblocked number giving my name. Yet they still have my name and a few pictures. DIAMOND RANCH ACADEMY TWO WRONGS DON’T MAKE A RIGHT -THAT’S WHAT YOU TOLD ME-PLEASE HELP IF YOU HAVE SUFFERED UNDER THE CARE OF DIAMOND RANCH ACADEMY.

            I give HEAL permission to use this statement.  I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.  Executed on ___July 20th________________, 2009.

 

 

                                                                        ________________________________

                                                                        Aaron [Private]

                                                                        [PRIVATE]

                                                                        [PRIVATE]

                                                                        [E-MAIL]

                                                                        SPECIAL NOTE:  STATUTE DOES

                                                                        NOT REQUIRE NOTARY]

SURVIVOR STATEMENT #5

DECLARATION UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY

PURSUANT TO 28 USCA 1746

 

 

            I, _____ [Anonymous]_____________, declare and state as follows:

1.   [Dra]..

2.   [Dra, Apple valley,St george Ut]

3.   [april 14-feb 12]

4.   [To inform others of the hidden truth behind the scenes]

            I give HEAL permission to use this statement.  I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.  Executed on  September 28, 2009.

 

 

                                                                        ________________________________

                                                                        [Anonymous]

                                                                        [PRIVATE]

                                                                        [PRIVATE]

                                                                        [PRIVATE]

                                                                        SPECIAL NOTE:  STATUTE DOES

                                                                        NOT REQUIRE NOTARY]

                                                                        Please don’t call or put my personal info on site including my address

 

(Dra, Apple Valley;st george, apr14-Feb12,)

 

I want to remain anonymous

 

Diamond Ranch Academy exposed

Ok bear with me everyone.

Im sorry if any information is scattered but please just read all of it,Thank you.

It started april 12 2009 I was driving down the road in St george. I was looking for somewhere to get caught up in school.My parents and I went to go check out this place they said they could me caught up in school so I took their word for it.They sat my parents down and told them that it was a good school and it would get me caugh up in school they said it was a boarding school not a rehab I knew their were drug addicts there but they made it seem like a school.I wouldnt have went there if I knew all their rules they don't fill you in on any of these until you parents signed documents you had to be there for 10 months some 12.

I think it is unjust because some people can get their problems fixed in under 10 months.

With that in mind I went in with a positive attitude and was their for school only, but Dra they took all my freedoms away besides getting food and water they strip you your first day. Im a good girl, Im already mormon but they violate that when they leave the door open when your taking a shower in the homeless program.I broke down crying because I didn't know it was a lockdown and nobody would talk to me.

My staff that night told other staff I was going to run away because I was breaking down.They put me on run watch and took me shoes and put me in flip flops for 3 weeks.Its all apart of their drama scheme they actually live off drama there the staff they hire at least.I learned this after being there staff would make fun of girls as well especially if they were homeless they'd call you girl in orange and tell you tobe positive or you'd stay in homeless longer. They treated you badly I had a panic attack a few times

One staff walked in the lunch room one day and was like I don't feel bad for any of you I read your papers. Dra automatically treats girls like they are below you by eating good food in front of you and teased us about it daily they were happy when they treated us like lower humans.I will not dramatize this but I want to make it known there is some things to look into at dra that are yet to be exposed.I can't begin because you have to "see for yourself" they have a clan of people working to make money for them and are using teens to serve as a purpose to do so.

At 18 I signed out and I chose to be homeless for a few days and lived in the mountains,but I survived because I went into town and a lady at Maverick asked me whats wrong.I told her everything and she said look you need to have a home and I dont want to see you on the streets.I told her "ok but I can't go back to Dra,I didn't like the way it made me feel" When I got to her house she treated me far better even as a stranger she didn't treat me like I was in a rehab I was very nice, and I let her know I wouldn't steal from her she clothed me properly and told me her house is open and her kitchen and let me take a shower.

At dra they don't respect you as nice as the lady I met at maverick, they automatically think your going to steal and just do everything bad,they need to change the way the operate because it won't be successful if they think something like were going to steal it's bound to happen.That's how they operated they used all their rules to make it seem effective but it backfired if someone broke one they'd add like 2 more rules everytime.Its based on scare tactics the staff actually yells at you I repeat yells at you even when working out or at dinners(everywhere).

Even when I was ready to leave they wouldn't let me go they got me to come back after I legally signed out on my 18th birthday.They even got the head staff cody to come looking for me to give me their contact card to come back.He told me and the lady who took me in that he'd buy me dinner.Instead he dropped me off at this hotel that I couldn't even get into. Yes the lady was blown out of her mind how cruel and uncaring these people were.She told me to stay with her and I did until I stayed in a motel for a couple days refusing to go back.Well I called his number after because my family told me to and he Manipulated me by saying you can leave in 3 weeks if you come back. Though they lied I was there longer for like 5 weeks longer then I was suppose to. Well after I got my ged my only way out I had a recognition February 13th. ( 2 months after my birthday)

 

Which brings me to another subject abuse was huge at Dra mentally,verbally,physically.  If you didn't participate they'd say what don't yo want to leave?Whats the matter with you? Do army crawl, do 50 man pushups ,when I say down down.They use their power for control over us they know we can't leave when we first get in so they use their power to push us around. As aggressive as they were I remember countless times they restrained girls for no reason one girl didn't want to go to homeless and the staff cody grabbed her wrists and yelled at her then shoved her into the cart, so she hit him after, but it was provoked .

Well for me I did what I could I had to put on a show that's what Dra teaches you tell on other girls, say you love the place, never tell your parents the truth if you said you hated it and told them anything negative they end your phone call.If they were real honest to goodness program they wouldn't care what children told their parents even if it wasn't good. They are trying so hard to look good that it' actually backfired there is now groups on facebook not rallying against it but they are voicing their opinions about the abuse.Dra needs to be shutdown sometime it is getting more powerful though so we need as much help as possible to help us.It is not a way to rebell I really feel like this program abuses kids when their purpose is to get kids off drugs it actually abuses them in the process which might trigger their relapse and feelings they play too many mind games and deny us of fresh water.

Please Go to http://www.heal-online.org/diamond.htm

Well I never had tried drugs alcohol smoking or taken part in anything sexual.I know that it's not all their fault that girls relapse but they would even let girls listen to songs about weed and M.I.A's drug songs this was the Girls campus head staff "Brigham".

They let the girls on the basketball team hear lyrics about drugs in a rehab...that should be forbidden.Once again staff didn't follow the rules so there was not a good example for girls there.They have staff who've committed felonies,been in jail,sold drugs, even our first homeless staff amber was a heavy alcoholic,and partier.A homeless staff! You could tell by looking at her and they would hire anyone to work for them.Even obese ladies and woman who use to be drug addicts and still were.

Let me tell you there were some good things I weighed 118 when I left I looked like a rail who hadn't eaten much and had all her portions under control and much excersise.I learned that I can do bootcamp hard things but life is not this way.It was a real transition program

Well I had a panic attack a few times and the least they could do was send me to homeless.After crying being in the bathroom saying I want to go home and shaking and shaking.I couldn't help it I was losing my mind I believe.Well a staff was called to my doorm and his name was Bryant he told me Id have to get up im like no im staying here.He said well you need to go to bed I was like I can't stop shaking.He says why Im 'like I don't know Bryant I don't know.He replied "well I'm going to have to restrain you if you don' get up,"They then radioed staff and 1 mean staff from guys side I will tell you his name once I remember it(THIS NEEDS TO BE REPORTED)

This man was escorted with a nurse into my doorm they took me to the med closet and were like I'll give you benadryl..and I said I don't want it I just want to go to the hospital.

I knew I needed medical attention since I was having a severe panic attack.Anyway they looked at me like I'm just trying to help and I said i'm sorry I just don't want medication.Well the man yelled at me and threatened to restrain me and put me on my bed,so he threatened to touch me and force me on my bed and go to bed.

He told me I was a "waste of their time and also faking this whole thing and stop playing games."Well I wasn't it was a panic attack and Dra doesn't care if your out of breath or shaking he also told me not to have another panic attack again.
It was a haunting expirience I was scared and forced to lay on my bed,but I was still shaking. (This was 1 of my 3 panic attacks at dra also keep in mind I hadn't had one for 3 years)

So they resisted to give me medical attention at the hospital.This is what they did, and theres even been a death in January 2009, because they denied to give a student medical attention all happening in 2009. Its not a good place to send kids for that reason.

For me My bad habits started after going here I never did a drug tasted alcohol anything even sex!Well 4 months after my depart of Dra I went to my first rave in June and tried ecstasy and cigarettes and hung out with addicts who've done heroin and were heavy boomers.I know I never would have done this but in a way it actually reminded me of Dra.They talked about drugs in good ways and I wanted to try it.It didn't stop I also went to another rave In august and did ecstasy with coke.I can't and won't  do that anymore still I believe dra had alot to do with my curiosity.I tell you this because I've actually been to a rehab before when I was 12 but it was for anger issues not drugs or anything else.I can honestly say they dont help your kids, everyone I know has either relapsed or worse and I was the girl who never tried sex,drugs,alcohol,or anything at all before Dra.Now I am alot more expirienced when it comes to substances.

I went to Dra to get caught up in school I was 1 year and a half behind I actually saw it online.They don't tell you a thing about it until your locked down and physically prevented from leaving.That place is electrically fenced and surrounded with water making it a harsh environment if a Kid actually did run away and succeed he'd die.

Thank you for your time, but I do want to say it made me very skinny I highly believe this program produces eating disorders our portions were sometimes smaller then a fist.