- $10 million settlement quadruples state compensation caps
- 1,300+ lawsuits pending against NH youth detention system
- Four staffers charged in gang-rape case with two convictions
- Facility housing under 12 inmates faces permanent closure
New Hampshire’s attorney general finalized a groundbreaking $10 million settlement this week for Michael Gilpatrick, a survivor of systemic abuse at the state-run Youth Development Center. The agreement avoids a second high-profile trial following last year’s $38 million jury verdict in a similar case, which remains under appeal. Gilpatrick’s harrowing account of 1990s-era assaults spotlights enduring failures in juvenile justice systems nationwide.
At age 14, Gilpatrick endured three years of torture at the Manchester facility now named for former Governor John H. Sununu. His lawsuit details 10 staff members participating in physical and sexual violence, including a stairwell gang rape involving four perpetrators. They created monsters through calculated cruelty,Gilpatrick testified, describing how abuse survivors often internalize trauma for decades before seeking justice.
The settlement amount reflects New Hampshire’s mounting liability, exceeding standard victim compensation limits by 400%. Legal analysts note this signals shifting attitudes toward institutional accountability, mirroring California’s 2022 closure of five youth prisons following abuse revelations. However, New Hampshire continues contesting last May’s $38 million verdict, proposing to reduce it by 98% under statutory caps.
Prosecutors have secured two convictions from Gilpatrick’s alleged attackers since 2019, though challenges persist. Former counselor Brad Asbury received 20-40 years for sexual assault complicity, while Stephen Murphy faces retrial after a hung jury. Eleven total staffers faced charges, with cases complicated by defendant deaths and competency issues.
Advocates argue this case exposes nationwide juvenile detention risks. A 2023 DOJ study found 33% of youth facilities lack proper abuse reporting protocols. New Hampshire’s pending replacement facility—designed for under 20 high-risk offenders—aims to implement trauma-informed staffing models. Yet critics question whether architectural changes address cultural rot, noting Massachusetts’ similar reforms failed to prevent 2021 abuse scandals.
Gilpatrick’s willingness to publicly confront his attackers has galvanized legislative action. Lawmakers fast-tracked the Manchester center’s closure following his emotional testimony about staff beat downrituals. His case now serves as a benchmark for 1,300 pending claims, with settlements potentially exceeding $1 billion collectively. As states grapple with reform costs, survivor-led coalitions demand preventative investments in community-based youth programs.
