January 18, 2005
 

Since the 1970s, Americans have been shipping their children off to rehabilitation centers, commonly referred to as "boot camps."

These programs often claim they can change a troubled teen into a respectful child in a few weeks time. But what really goes on at these facilities where parents aren't allowed to visit?

We'll hear the real story from adults who are still haunted by the facilities their parents sent them to.

Samantha says that the facility she was sent to in Florida when she was 13 was a living nightmare. She claims that aside from the constant belittling and verbal abuse, she was beaten and starved regularly. Later on, after she had tried to escape the first time, Samantha alleges that she was raped and then forced to have an abortion when she became pregnant.

We'll talk to her 2 sisters - one who was sent to the same facility and the youngest who was able to avoid her mother's disapproval.

We'll also meet Shannon who claims that the behavioral treatment center she went to in Jamaica used unnecessary force against her that dislocated her jaw.

Plus we'll meet Johnny who claims he spent nearly his entire visit at a facility locked in isolation.

All of these former rehab inhabitants claim that they received little to no education and counseling while they were there.

Find out today why their parents chose to send them away and how some research suggest that these programs are completely ineffective in helping teens.