N.H. to pay $239 million to settle claims of abuse at state-run facility
— New Hampshire has agreed to pay $239 million to victims of alleged abuse at the state-run youth detention facility through a settlement fund, ...
Summary
New Hampshire has agreed to pay $239 million through a settlement fund to victims of alleged decades-long physical, sexual, and emotional abuse at the state-run Youth Development Center in Manchester (now called the Sununu Youth Services Center). The settlement resolved 425 claims with an average payout of about $563,000 per victim, though over 1,600 additional claims seeking more than $1.8 billion remain pending. Three former staff members have been convicted in connection with the abuse, and the state lacks insurance coverage for these claims, making taxpayers responsible for the costs.
CONCORD, N.H. — New Hampshire has agreed to pay $239 million to victims of alleged abuse at the state-run youth detention facility through a settlement fund, according to a report issued Jan. 14.
More than 1,000 former residents have brought lawsuits against the state over allegations of decades of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse at the state-run detention system, including at the Youth Development Center in Manchester, which is now called the Sununu Youth Services Center.
Three former staff members have been convicted for their role in the abuse, with other trials forthcoming.
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The settlement fund is an alternative way alleged victims can receive compensation without going through the courts. The state does not have insurance that will cover abuse claims, leaving taxpayers ultimately responsible for the associated costs.
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Since 2023, 425 claims have been resolved through the settlement fund, with the average award totaling around $563,000.
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Those claimants sought $469 million and ultimately settled for $239 million, according to the data released last week. About $149 million of that total had been paid by the end of 2025.
The awards were made through the Youth Development Center Settlement Fund, created by the legislature as an alternative to seeking justice through the state’s court system.
In addition to the 425 claims that were resolved, another 75 were withdrawn, and 79 claims were either denied or dismissed.
As of the end of 2025, 1,690 claims were still pending, with requests totaling more than $1.8 billion.
A total of $185 million has been allocated to the settlement fund through the end of 2025.
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The fund has been without an administrator for nearly six months after a new law gave hiring and firing power to the governor instead of the New Hampshire Supreme Court.
That law also gave the attorney general the power to veto settlement agreements, taking the final say away from the fund administrator.
A spokesperson for New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The former administrator, John T. Broderick Jr., opposed those changes, as did some of the alleged victims, who filed a lawsuit arguing the changes were unfair and amounted to the state going back on its word.
But earlier this month, a judge agreed to dismiss the case. Attorneys for the victims said they would appeal the decision.
Amanda Gokee can be reached at amanda.gokee@globe.com. Follow her @amanda_gokee.
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