I read with interest your Nov. 20 article about authorities questioning practices at Long Creek Youth Development Center.

I had an opportunity to teach a college algebra course there in the fall of 2015 and became acquainted with many of the staff as well as their institution’s policies and how they were executed. I was very impressed with both.

All staff members with whom I came into contact were extremely caring toward these young people and were dedicated to following the well-thought-out objectives guiding the goals of Long Creek: helping their charges to be accountable for themselves and preparing them for a successful life in the outside world. I believe that for many of these young people, Long Creek gave them a sense of family that they never had before.

The suicide of Charles Knowles was certainly tragic. I wonder if Long Creek was the right setting for a person with his mental health history. Judging from my experience there, I doubt that this occurrence was a result of negligence on the part of the institution or its staff.

Roderick MacGregor

Sebago


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.