The End of an Era

Matthew Israel, founder of the Judge Rotenberg Educational Center, faces criminal charges with regard to a prank by a former resident which resulted in up to 77 shock treatments being given to two residents of the center back in 2007. The charges are based on destruction of evidence, i.e., the surveillance tapes of the night in question. Israel has been at the center a long time and, earlier this month, he announced his retirement (at age 77). He has left quite a legacy; parents of most of the residents love him, the scientific and mental health establishment despise him.