Cassia and Ashley felt ‘dehumanized’ at the Re-Creation Retreat in Arizona, one of the many teen rehab facilities across the US. They knew they had to get out – but didn’t expect staff to come after them

Girls who arrive at Re-Creation Retreat (RCR) begin at level one. At level one, girls are not allowed to look out of the window. They are not allowed to talk to each other or look each other in the eye. “Your microexpressions were controlled,” said Carissa Reyes, who joined the programme soon after it first opened in 2008.

Girls climb up the ranks with good behaviour, accruing points and privileges. Girls who reach higher levels are able to wear their own clothes or speak with permission. Eventually they reach level five, and are allowed to leave.