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.
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Legislators gave the new head of the state’s Youth Development Center victim fund $20 million to resume settlements. They said more money may be available if state revenues improve. -
New Hampshire’s youth detention center settlement fund has lost support among lawmakers and Attorney General John Formella over the prior administrator’s spending decisions. -
The Department of Health and Human Services disputed allegations by two councilors that it had employed an individual on the sex offender registry. -
The state’s top health agency says the Sununu Youth Services Center will still be short-staffed 14 counselors even with approval to maintain its 18 temporary youth counselors. -
Some lawmakers said the money should fund settlements for people who were abused at the facility. Others sought to tighten those payouts. -
Representatives from the state agency that oversees the Sununu Youth Services Center faced sharp questioning Friday from lawmakers on the treatment of children there in recent months. -
After failing to secure a conviction in two previous trials, the state will not pursue a third case against Victor Malavet, who maintains his innocence. -
Lawmakers held a tense hearing Monday and investigators released new details about conditions inside the state’s secure facility for youth. -
“What we're seeing is almost a backpedaling from reforms that were made in the facility,” said Cassandra Sanchez, the state’s child advocate. The state health department and Attorney General’s office have since announced their own investigations. -
The Office of the Child Advocate says reforms are needed at a state-run facility following reports of alleged mistreatment of children.
