Return to Morava Academy Page
BRNO, South Moravia,
November 13, 1998
The "Morava Academy", an American-run "behaviour modification" institute for teenagers near Brno that is currently at the centre of cruelty allegations, advertises on the Internet as an institution which offers "an effective programme for problem children."
For 60 dollars per day the Morava Academy offers to remove teenagers' bad habits and to completely change their social behaviour.
"Morava Academy provides an effective program for teens who are struggling in their home, school, or community. This Program is specifically designed to help teens replace inappropriate attitudes, behaviors and habits with new productive ones," is how the website begins.
Investigators said on Wednesday that the Morava Academy's American directors and two Czech employees had been charged with cruelty, after the teenagers told police they had received cruel and inhumane treatment.
The teenagers, who are predominantly American, say they were sometimes placed in solitary confinement, tied up, given half-rations of food and water and prevented from going to the toilet as part of a strict punishment regime. A total of 57 problem children had been interned in the academy since April.
The website (http:/www.vpp.com/teenhelp/morava), which contains pictures of teenagers happily playing the guitar and playing sports, says that the students are given the opportunity to take part in recreational activities, and receive daily language lessons.
Cultural trips to Prague, Vienna and Budapest as well as to local museums, castles etc are also included in the programme.