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West Ridge Academy
Location
West Jordan, Utah, USA
Information
School type	private
Denomination	officially non-denominational Christian
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 youth 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.

Connection with LDS Church

The West Ridge Academy declares itself to be a non-denominational Christian organization, but former residents claim Mormon influences dominate. There is no official connection between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and the West Ridge Academy. The Academy states that "we do not proselyte (sic) to our students", but they do encourage students "to bring the best from their beliefs about God and seek out a meaningful relationship with that God". There are full-time Mormon missionaries on campus, as well as employees of the LDS Church Education system.

The board of directors of West Ridge Academy is composed of members of the LDS Church, including Richard Eyre, former general president of the Relief Society Mary Ellen Smoot, Brigham Young University religion instructor Sally Wyne, politician LaVar Christensen, and Utah State Senator Chris Buttars. Despite an annual income of over 8 million dollars, Deseret Industries, a division of the Welfare Services of the LDS Church, has donated food and supplies to the school. In 1996, the former president of the church, Gordon B. Hinckley, mentioned that he had read a "bulletin" from the Utah Boys Ranch.

Allegations of abuse

Former residents have posted testimonials on the internet that allege 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. 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 wrote about the controversy surrounding Buttars and the Utah Boys Ranch.

References

1. - Buttars Booted From Boys Ranch
2. Mormon Gulag
3. West Ridge Academy: Philosophy.
4. UBR board of Trustees
5. Children and Youth Services, Inc. Business Profile
6. Gordon B. Hinckley, “A Conversation with Single Adults,” Ensign, Mar. 1997, p. 58.
7. Testimonials From Former Victims
8. DailyKos 'Trapped In A Mormon Gulag'
9. YouTube
10. 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)
11. Gena Edvalson Discusses Mormon Gulag
12. KRCL RadioActive
13. The Daily Dish

External links

• Academy official website
• Mormon Gulag

• Child welfare activism
• Salt Lake County, Utah
• Special schools in the United States
• Youth rights
• Mormonism-related controversies
• Private schools in Utah