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Revision as of 19:51, 18 March 2009
Private school| West Ridge Academy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | |
| West Jordan, Utah, USA | |
| Information | |
| School type | private |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Mormon |
| Director | Kenneth Allen |
| Age range | 6 - 17 |
| Website | http://www.utahboysranch.org/ |
West Ridge Academy, formerly called the Utah Boys Ranch, is a Residential Treatment Center for at-risk young adults in West Jordan, Utah, USA.
History
The Utah Boys Ranch was founded by Lowell L. Bennion in 1964, but a few years later leadership changed hands and Utah State Senator Chris Buttars became the executive director and remained for fifteen years before retiring at age 62 in the face of IRS problems..
The former prophet of the Mormon Church, Gordon B. Hinckley, has mentioned “bulletins” he receives directly from the Utah Boys Ranch. The board of directors is composed of Mormons, such as LDS author and politician Richard Eyre, General Relief Society President Mary Ellen Smoot, BYU religion instructor Sally Wyne, politician LaVar Christensen and Senator Chris Buttars. Deseret Industries, a division of the Welfare Services of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, donates food and supplies despite the fact that the Academy receives considerable tuition and cash donations.
Allegations of abuse
Former residents have posted testimonials alleging rampant physical and sexual abuse, negligence, cover-ups, lack of government oversight, severe human rights violations, Mormon indoctrination in place of legitimate therapy, and other corruption and forms of inhumane handling of youth. Some opponents have referred to it as a "Mormon gulag".
Protesters demonstrated at its annual fundraiser The Scarecrow Festival in 2008.
Media Coverage
On January 2, 2009, an article from a former Boys Ranch resident - writer and journalist Eric Norwood - was published detailing abuses and controversial ranch practices.The article drew the attention of thousands of readers as it was reprinted and discussed on blogs, message boards, and news websites. On January 9, 2009, Salt Lake City radio station KRCL invited Senator Buttars, West Ridge staff, and Eric Norwood on their talk show RadioActive! to discuss the article, but Buttars declined. On February 19, 2009, author and political commentator Andrew Sullivan discussed the controversy surrounding Chris Buttars and the Utah Boys Ranch.
References
- Testimonial of 8 year old resident
- - Buttars Booted From Boys Ranch
- LDS.org 'Hinckley shares story about the Boys Ranch'
- UBR board of Trustees
- “The Mormon Connection”
- West Ridge's Mormon Connection
- Testimonials From Former Victims
- DailyKos 'Trapped In A Mormon Gulag'
- Boys Protest 'Mormon Gulag' Fundraiser
- Norwood, Eric (2009-01-02). "Trapped In A Mormon Gulag". Orato Media Corp. Retrieved 2009-02-19.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - Gena Edvalson Discusses Mormon Gulag
- KRCL RadioActive
- The Daily Dish