Boot camps in Florida have mastered the art of brutality, intimidation and harassing kids into submission. They neglect to lead by example, teach without intimidation or in any positive way change the lives that have entrusted to them. The recidivism rate stands according to DJJ at about 62%.

Social science professionals who have studied the camps say with out any hesitation or stuttering they don’t work. Brutalizing and terrifying kids does not permanently modify their behavior. State lawmakers should demand these boot camps be closed immediately. There does not need to be a forth death.

When Martin Anderson was placed into the hands of a state facility, because of consistent Misbehavior, did that mean the child has no further value?
Was it a signal to the state to torture and brutalize the kid? When the child died from being brutally tortured, does that mean it is alright for the state to cover up its own misdeeds?

As a parent I cannot imagine the anguish and devastation. The guilt, the questions and soul searching that inevitably will follow this child’s death.

My prayers have gone out to the family and friends of this kid daily.

To learn that he had not died from natural cases was no surprise. No one who watched the video of the beating and torture of this young man could have done anything but doubt the initial medical Findings.

So then where do we go from here?
A penalty will be paid by the state without a doubt. Criminal action will at some point be taken I hope against the sadists who beat this kid to death guards.
As well as the sadist nurse who stood by watching with indifference.

Some questions remain. Where were these people trained? Were they trained? How in the wildest stretch of imagination can torture of a kid be considered, training? How has it happened that after two previous deaths, the reforms were not mandated for the boot camps as well?
Every principle established by these camps has been violated, yet no emergency legislation has been proposed by Gov. Bush to ensure this will not happen again.

I have to wonder. Why?
Previous posts
Boot Camp Hell
Torture In Florida

OTBW: Third World County
Stuck On Stupid
Blue Star Chronicles