New Hampshire settles youth center abuse case for $10 million

The New Hampshire attorney general's office has reached a $10 million settlement in a case involving Michael Gilpatrick, who alleged he was gang-raped in a stairwell at the state's youth detention center in the 1990s. His lawsuit was poised to be the second of over 1,300 claims to go to trial, but both parties opted for an out-of-court settlement, according to his lawyers. This payout is notably four times the maximum amount currently available through the state's settlement fund for abuse victims.

Gilpatrick, now 41, was just 14 when he entered the Youth Development Center in 1997. In his lawsuit, he accused ten staff members at the Manchester facility of various forms of sexual and physical abuse, reporting incidents of repeated rape and near strangulation. He described the traumatic environment he endured, highlighting the lack of support within the facility and the lasting impact it had on his life, emphasizing the isolation and fear he felt during that time.

The allegations led to criminal charges against four former staff members, whom Gilpatrick labeled a "hit squad." While one former staffer was convicted and sentenced to 20 to 40 years in prison, another trial ended in a mistrial after jurors could not reach a verdict. Gilpatrick's testimonies in the related criminal trials highlighted the brutal treatment he and other residents faced from staff, who allegedly engaged in systematic abuse.

The settlement allows Gilpatrick to avoid the emotional strain of another trial process. He has openly discussed his struggle to come to terms with the abuse he experienced and expressed the importance of finally speaking out after years of silence. His advocacy reflects a broader movement among survivors to seek justice and greater accountability for past abuses within the juvenile justice system.

The youth center where the abuse occurred, named after former Governor John H. Sununu, faces closure following legislative approval, as it presently serves very few residents compared to its past capacity. In the wake of the allegations and ongoing investigations, the state is working to replace the facility with a smaller, more suitable establishment for handling juvenile offenders involved in serious violent crimes.