Sununu Youth Services Center Sale Proceeds Could Fund Abuse Settlements

New Hampshire senator pushes for sale proceeds to compensate past victims of abuse at the facility.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:20pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty government building in muted tones, with warm light streaming through the windows, conceptually representing the complex legacy of the Sununu Youth Services Center.The impending sale of a troubled youth detention center could provide long-awaited compensation for victims of abuse.Manchester Today

A New Hampshire state senator is urging lawmakers to require that all proceeds from the sale of the Sununu Youth Services Center in Manchester be directed to the settlement fund that compensates past victims of sexual and physical abuse at the facility.

Why it matters

The Sununu Youth Services Center has faced longstanding allegations of abuse, leading to a settlement fund being established to provide compensation to victims. Ensuring the sale proceeds go directly to this fund could help provide justice and closure for those impacted.

The details

The Sununu Youth Services Center, a state-run juvenile detention facility in Manchester, has been the subject of numerous abuse allegations over the years. A Senate bill sponsor is now pushing for the state legislature to mandate that all money from the eventual sale of the center be directed to the settlement fund set up to compensate past victims of sexual and physical abuse at the facility.

  • The Sununu Youth Services Center is currently slated for closure and sale.
  • A Senate bill has been introduced to require the sale proceeds go to the abuse victim settlement fund.

The players

Sununu Youth Services Center

A state-run juvenile detention facility in Manchester, New Hampshire that has faced longstanding allegations of abuse against detainees.

New Hampshire State Senate

The state legislative body that is considering a bill to direct the sale proceeds of the Sununu Youth Services Center to the abuse victim settlement fund.

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What’s next

The New Hampshire House of Representatives will consider the Senate bill and decide whether to mandate the sale proceeds be used for the abuse victim settlement fund.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of holding state-run institutions accountable for past abuses and directing resources to provide justice and compensation for victims, rather than allowing the proceeds from the sale of such facilities to be used for general state funds.