Overview
- The Attorney General's investigation concluded it found no current systemic physical or sexual abuse at the Sununu Youth Services Center while documenting pervasive operational dysfunction that destabilizes staff and youth.
- The report calls for a leadership restructure, hiring an experienced juvenile secure-facility bureau chief, higher counselor staffing levels, expanded de-escalation training, and a review of body-worn cameras for staff.
- Governor Kelly Ayotte has directed the Department of Health and Human Services to begin implementing several recommendations and the agency says it will act urgently to address staffing and camera plans.
- Staffing shortfalls are severe: the facility’s budget authorizes 46 counselor positions, vacancy rates have been described as critical with frequent mandatory overtime, and State Police troopers have been stationed there to help cover shifts.
- The controversy is shaped by history because SYSC replaced the old Youth Development Center, and lingering litigation and abuse claims from that era have influenced staff behavior, oversight tensions, and current reform choices.