What Straight Survivors Have to Say

"I was in Straight, St. Petersburg when Mel Riddile was in training, then I was transferred to the Springfield branch when it opened. There was only ONE difference with Mel Riddile in charge - the abuse was hidden. Instead of throwing kids on the floor in front of the whole group, 5 or 6 other kids would drag the 'misbehaver' to an intake room and pin the kid on the floor in there."

"Mel Riddile and the other staff members in Springfield were more than willing to continue the lies of the St. Petersburg program as well. On my intake, I refused to sign the papers consenting to 'treatment.' The Sr. Staff member responded by saying that it didn't matter if I signed or not because I had been court ordered to the program. Following my transfer to Springfield, the staff there - under the direction of Mel Riddile - required me to spend double the minimum length of time on all 5 phases, as per the policy for court ordered clients. The staff also took great pleasure in berating me for being 'so screwed up that I had to be court ordered.' When I mentioned this to my mother, I was stunned to learn I was NOT court ordered to Straight - it was just their despicable, twisted way to keep me there longer."

"Girls who entered the program pregnant were manipulated into having abortions. The staff, under Mel Riddile's direction, made the girls believe that their babies would be 'all f***ed up because of the drugs' they had used. The girls were never told that Straight would have to release them from the program if they remained pregnant."

"When I was on 4th phase, Matt D. was nearly strangled to death by his newcomer, Brent A. Even Matt, the victim, was confronted for being 'irresponsible' after he returned from the hospital. I will never forget the bright, red abrasion around his neck. The staff kept Brent A. in an intake room for 2 weeks, then he was re-introduced to the group as if he had just arrived. We had already been instructed to never speak of it again."

"When I was on 5th phase, a little boy named David was raped by his oldcomer. He had reported the rape to a 5th phaser who made notes in the 'Observations' book that was used by the staff. Instead of receiving medical care, David was confronted by staff member Dean Mistretta who basically told him to sit down and quit whining. Dean Mistretta then tore the page of notes from the Observations book and told the group that anyone who talked about the rape would be 'started over', meaning we would be back on Day One of the program."

Shelby Cornwell
Graduate of Straight, Springfield