New Hampshire has sent its most troubled kids to the same juvenile detention center for more than a century. The goal has been to shelter, educate, and nurture kids who break the law instead of sending them to adult jails and prisons.
But now, about 1,300 of those kids have come forward to say they were severely abused by adults in charge. It’s become one of the biggest youth detention scandals in American history – and people are still coming forward.
How did this happen – and how did it finally come to light?
“The Youth Development Center” – a three-part investigative podcast series hosted by Jason Moon of NHPR’s award-winning Document team – brings you answers straight from the people who lived it. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.
Click the image below to read the companion digital story “Failures to Act,” made in collaboration with The Pudding. Learn more about the history of YDC, see archival photos and internal documents, and explore an interactive timeline of the alleged abuse:
To get in touch with “The Youth Development Center” reporting team, email YDC@nhpr.org.
To read more of NHPR’s coverage of the YDC abuse scandal, explore the links below.
-
The state budget set to take effect next week would give the governor and attorney general considerable control over the Youth Development Center Settlement Fund, including what victims are paid. A new lawsuit asks the court to halt that. -
Victims abused at the state’s former youth detention said proposed changes to the selection of the YDC settlement fund administrator would be unfair.
-
Top State House Republicans and Attorney General John Formella have cited concerns about the management of the YDC settlements as one reason to shrink the amount of money in the fund. An audit found no problems. -
The settlement fund for victims of abuse at the state’s Youth Development Center is facing financial pressure and skepticism from lawmakers. -
The state’s settlement fund for victims abused at the state’s former youth detention center is nearly out of money, with two months left to file claims. Lawmakers have not fully funded it over questions about payments to lawyers. -
Failures to Act, a powerful multimedia investigation from NHPR’s Document team — produced in collaboration with the visual storytellers at The Pudding — has been nominated for a 2024 Peabody Award in the Immersive & Interactive category. -
El nuevo proyecto de ley de fianza le da más discreción para detener a criminales antes de su juicio. -
Republicans at the New Hampshire State House want to eliminate NH's Office of the Child Advocate, the Commission on Aging, and the Housing Appeals Board. -
Mientras el estado se queda sin dinero para las víctimas de YDC, el fiscal general de NH se opone a gastar más. -
The state’s fund for youth center victims could be dry by April.
