Casper, WY – After more than two years of litigation, the first federal trial concerning alleged abuse at the Wyoming Boys’ School opened Monday in U.S. District Court. The case centers on Blaise Chivers‑King, a former resident who says the state‑run facility mistreated him between 2020 and 2022.
Background and allegations
The Wyoming Boys’ School, a 38‑acre residential facility near Worland overseen by the Wyoming Department of Family Services, houses delinquent boys ages 12 to 21. Chivers‑King, now an adult, alleges that staff violated his Fourteenth Amendment rights by placing him in isolation, using excessive force, and denying due process.
According to plaintiff’s attorney Ciara Boerman, Chivers‑King struggled with anxiety, anger and other emotional challenges. “He was a difficult child, but still a child,” Boerman said, adding that staff locked him away instead of helping him manage his emotions. She described eight instances of isolation, one lasting 15 days, and presented photos of the solitary‑confinement‑style room, noting that staff sometimes covered the window with a magnet and sealed cracks with a mattress.
Defense’s position
State defense attorney Catherine Young argued that staff acted to address safety concerns and that the decisions, though difficult, were necessary. “It was far more work when Blaise was on detention status,” Young said, emphasizing that staff provided individual attention and that the isolation was not solitary confinement. She described an incident where staff used a riot shield to enter Chivers‑King’s room, asserting that the action was meant to keep both the youth and staff safe.
Young also highlighted that Chivers‑King was over six feet tall and weighed about 270 pounds, suggesting he was capable of harming others. She noted that nursing staff checked him after the encounter and reported he was okay.
Mental‑health impact
Boerman testified that Chivers‑King continues to suffer from PTSD, diagnosed by a doctor who linked the condition directly to his treatment at the school. She said he is now reclusive, rarely leaving his room, and that the trauma of his time at the facility has not faded.
Young countered that Chivers‑King’s mental‑health challenges pre‑dated his placement, describing a childhood marked by repeated abuse and neglect. She argued that the school actually provided positive experiences, such as arranging visits to an animal shelter and fostering relationships with staff.
Trial outlook
The trial, expected to last five to seven days, will feature testimony from Chivers‑King and other witnesses. Both sides plan to present additional evidence on the use of isolation, staff conduct, and the school’s overall safety protocols.
Wyoming residents and advocacy groups are watching closely, as the outcome could influence how the state handles juvenile detention and the rights of youth in state‑run facilities.
Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.
