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West Ridge Academy

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      • West Ridge*****

West Ridge Academy, formerly the Utah Boys Ranch, is a Mormon Residential Treatment Center for children in West Jordan, Utah, USA. The academy has faced heavy criticism over its methods.

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 so for more than fifteen years, before retiring in the face of some IRS problems.

LDS Connection

The board of directors is composed of several prominent 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. Despite monthly tuition and cash donations, food and supplies are donated by Deseret Industries.


File:UBRmissionary.jpg
Mormon missionary preaching at West Ridge Academy. West Ridge Academy has four Mormon missionaries on staff.


Abuse

Buttars and the Utah Boys Ranch leadership have recently come under fire with claims of abuse and complaints of Mormon indoctrination in place of legitimate therapy. Numbers of former residents have posted testimonials alleging rampant physical and sexual abuse, negligence, cover-ups, lack of any government oversight, severe human rights violations, and other corruption and forms of inhumane handling of youth. It has been referred to as a "Mormon gulag".

Media Coverage

On January 2, 2009, an article from a former Boys Ranch resident - written by writer and journalist Eric Norwood - was published detailing some of the abuses and controversial practices of the ranch.The article erupted on the Internet; instantly drawing the attention of thousands of readers as it was reprinted and discussed at length on hundreds of 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.

Activism

Protesters demonstrated at its annual fundraiser The Scarecrow Festival in 2008.

See also


References

  1. - Buttars Booted From Boys Ranch
  3. “The Mormon Connection”
  4. - Teen Recounts Physical and Sexual Abuses at Mormon West Ridge Academy
  5. The Mormon Connection
  6. Testimonials From Former Victims
  7. DailyKos 'Trapped In A Mormon Gulag'
  8. 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)
  9. Gena Edvalson Discusses Mormon Gulag
  10. KRCL RadioActive
  11. Boys Protest 'Mormon Gulag' Fundraiser
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