New Hampshire Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander is calling for a federal investigation into conditions at the Sununu Youth Services Center, a state-run juvenile facility. Goodlander, a Democrat, sent a letter to the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Hampshire and the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, urging them to open an investigation into the center.

Background

The request follows a series of investigations and reports raising concerns about conditions at the Manchester facility. Since 2020, roughly 1,300 people have come forward alleging physical, sexual, or emotional abuse as children in state juvenile custody over a period of six decades. Survivors have filed nearly 1,200 lawsuits, and at least three former staff members have been convicted, with additional prosecutions pending.

Goodlander said two independent watchdogs have also documented serious concerns about current conditions, including unlawful restraint, prolonged isolation, and delayed medical care. The New Hampshire Office of the Child Advocate began investigating after a child at the facility contacted the office in March.

In her letter, Goodlander is asking the Justice Department to investigate the center. The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office issued a statement in response, saying the state “continues to work to strengthen safety and security at the facility” and has “investigated allegations of abuse at the Sununu Youth Services Center, brought criminal charges for past conduct, secured convictions for that conduct, conducted comprehensive reviews of recent allegations, publicly released its findings, and it will continue to take action as warranted.”

Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.