Rvustby

I spent 6 months in Military School in Western Samoa. I was 16 years old.
http://www.caica.org/NEWS%20Pacific%20Coast%201.htm

Chris, the guy doing the pushups in the pictures was 19 and still a minor by Samoan law; he had been there for around 2 years when I showed up.

I came back to the States early because my Grandmother died, I was supposed to be there for a year. I smuggled my friends’ numbers out inside a mostly used deodorant applicator; I unscrewed it all the way, stuffed numbers inside and then screwed the top back on.

While I was there, one friend of mine was sexually assaulted. I felt obligated to inform his family, namely his mother, about it upon my return. Calling his mother over and over to try and express my sincerity is the hardest thing that I have ever done.

As a direct result of my conversations, she and her husband visited the Military School. They continued my work, calling everyone’s parents to let them know of the ongoing abuse.

Another child who was interned at the “camp” was the son of a litigator. She put pressure on the Samoan Government to shut the camp down and so they did.

I believe that I was directly responsible for setting in motion the events that shut down that camp. There is currently a lawsuit against Steve Cartisano, the proprietor of the camp. He is somewhere in Argentina, so they say.

I think of myself as somewhat of a hero because of my involvement in these matters.

I have many, many more stories about that place and I have made my peace with them. If you want to know more about child behavioral correctional facilities just ask, I’m always willing to share what I know.

RusG