The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping

Really skillfully done, and surprisingly very hopeful and endearing throughout. These girls could be anyone you know, and they have such beautiful, strong spirits. I'm so glad to see that hasn't been ripped from them completely. I loved the heavy dashes of F you: the inside church audio, the gutsy phone calls to past workers, and the One Way or Another part. ;) How brazen of these absolute criminals to leave behind all their evidence, that really speaks to how above the law they feel they are. I'm glad it was all there to be found, I wish happiness and abundance to all who survived, and anxiously await the downfall of every wretched person who contributed to this nightmare.

As someone who was to a school with the exact same structure (Cross Creek in Utah), from 1997-1998, I can confirm that every detail about the schools setup is completely accurate. I never experienced abuse, or saw anyone being abused, to the degree these women did, but I do believe that it existed in other, similar "schools". From levels 1-6, with the privileges of makeup and shaving being earned after level 3, to the school's education structure, with independent learning and the requirement that we pass all exams with 80%+ to advance in a subject.

I was lucky. I had a wonderful group leader/therapist who cared immensely. I learned so much and grew emotionally, but I can also see how those that didn't have the same experience would have left with so much trauma. And it didn't mean that the bulk of my experience wasn't anywhere from terrifying to extremely uncomfortable.

I'm glad that the parts of these programs that are corrupt are being exposed, and that their insane shield of secrecy has been pierced. I hope this brings some sense of peace to the many that need it.

This did not expect this documentary to touch me the way it did. I spent 12 month at Casa by the Sea. I Find it funny that another reviewer compared the tactics to the military and so stated it was difficult to be sympathetic. I served 7 years in the Army, with two deployments to Iraq, one of those being attached to an infantry unit. I'm also a firefighter. I've seen a lot. I would rather relive any other point in my life than that program. If you haven't been in it, you can't speak to it. What this documentary does so well, is that it does not whine and say that no one understands why are parent could resort to sending their child to a program. What it DOES to is explain why they are harmful, and usually, don't have the intended outcome. From the lack of credible staffing, programming, mental abuse, physical abuse (which I did not sustain, but I also am not surprised), and financial corruption, this documentary does a great job of fulfilling its intent. To inform.

I think this was a pretty good show, but one thing I will say is this stuff goes on all over the U. S still till this day. I was in group homes and foster care from age of 9 until 18 and many went on a point system. Things kids are in those homes to get away from go on in those homes. I've physically fought staff members because I refused to be bullied. Staff members sleep with some of the kids sexually and all. It's crazy. They kicked me out when I turned 18 in an area hours away from my home town and I had to figure it out. I'm great now my own family, land, and home. They fail, I made it...

I heard of this documentary on Joe Rogan's podcast #2148 when guest Gad Saad mentioned it. Fascinating and very disturbing that this has existed for so long and is still an industry today in 2024. The importance of this issue needs to reach as many people as possible. Perhaps Joe Rogan can have Katherine Kubler as a guest. Another criminal industry of child trafficking funded by the U. S. Government. How? Watch this documentary to learn how and be enraged. This three episode documentary is very well made. Katherine Kubler brings her survivor friends along this journey to tell the story of imprisonment, physical abuse and most importantly, life long lasting mental trauma. And, this is still going on today.