What Is Meridell Achievement center?
Meridell Achievement Center, established in 1961, is a residential treatment center located on a 63-acre ranch-style campus in Liberty Hill, Texas.
Originally starting as an emotional-growth ranch with one residence for 15 teenage boys, it has evolved into a coeducational residential treatment center specializing in psychiatry and neuropsychiatry for children aged 11 to 17.
The facility has a capacity of 134 beds, distributed across seven residences, and patients are referred from across the world.
The medical staff includes child and adolescent psychiatrists, a pediatric neurologist, a neuropsychologist, and a psychologist. An 'accredited' school, Ki Charter Academy, is located on campus, providing educational services to patients.
The Troubled History of MAC
Meridell Achievement Center has faced scrutiny over the years due to various incidents and infractions
Reports have surfaced regarding patient neglect, raising concerns about the safety and quality of care provided. Meridell's public infractions date back to the 70's with cases like Chancellor v. Lawrence where a child was unaware of a major medical procedure that Meridell had scheduled for her. Thisonly caused further extensive psychological damage resulting in a court case against the facilty and its staff.
Additionally, in 2016, a staff member identified as 'Kathleen Redfin' was caught on the property with various illegal substances, thereby compromising the therapeutic environment and patient safety. Whether any repercussions were brought against the facility itself is unknown.
Furthermore, the center has been criticized for its use of seclusion and restraint practices after a small child was placed in an unlawful, life-threatening restraint.
These are just a few of the public infractions brought against Meridell, highlighting the darkness harbored behind its closed doors.
Why Is It On Our Watchlist?
Once you arrive at MAC, you are immediatly stripped of your basic rights. You relinquish who you once were and must conform to every rule and guideline put in place by staff.
MAC operates under the same beliefs as Synanon: change the problem by changing the child.
Upon admission, you are assigned a peer leader who will guide you through your first 24 hours. You must report to them and ask them any questions you have regarding the facility and schedule. Staff-appointed peer leaders are a common theme among the TTI. It establishes a chain of command among the patients, labeling lower-level patients as 'lesser-than' and higher-level patients 'above all'. Staff will listen to anything the upper levels say about you, even if it is untrue, resulting in unnecessary punishments towards lower-level patients.
You must follow every rule perfectly, or you will be put on some form of punishment. While on a punishment, you may not interact with or look at other patients no matter your rank in the level system. 'Therapeutic' workbooks and papers will be handed out to you throughout the day, from wake-up to lights out. If you don't diligently work on your assignments, your punishment is extended as long as staff sees fit.
Every word you use is closely monitored and most words are restricted. Certain topics like social media and outside life were banned from conversation and subject to harsh punishment by staff. Discussions as trivial as hair dye was banned under the guise of it being 'self-harm body modification'.
LGBTQIA+ support was strictly banned and any topic of gender identity or preferance was strictly prohibited and would result in punishment. LGBTQIA+ youth are at high risk of depression and suicide, therefore only adding to the pressures due to lack of self expression.
All phone calls are closely monitored by staff. You may only contact immediately family, and you may not discuss the quality of your care. With the staff so close to you during your call, they had the ability to snatch the phone or hang up the receiver if they deemed your conversation 'detrimental to your treatment'.
Staff often results to oral sedatives if they find you to be too outspoken or what they deem as 'annoying'. This is a dangerous practice as it creates the illusion that any mood swing, no matter high or low, is fixed with sedative medication.
What can YOU do?
In light of the numerous concerns surrounding MAC, it is crucial for parents and guardians to thoroughly research any residential treatment facility before entrusting them with their child’s care. The best way to help prevent further harm is to avoid sending children to facilities with a history of misconduct and neglect. If you or someone you know has experienced abuse, mistreatment, or neglect at Meridell or a similar institution, you can report these instances to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission or other relevant state agencies. By speaking out and holding these institutions accountable, we can work toward safer, more ethical treatment options for vulnerable youth. No child should suffer in silence, and no facility should be allowed to continue operating under a veil of secrecy.
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