On Friday, April 10, 2026, we notified Governor Ayotte, Commissioner Lori Weaver and the NH Attorney General’s Office of our continuing concerns for the health and safety of children at the Sununu Youth Services Center (SYSC) in Manchester.
———- Forwarded message ———
From: Michael Todd <michaelt@drcnh.org>
Date: Fri, Apr 10, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Subject: Immediate and Grave Safety Concerns for SYSC Youth
To: <GOVERNORAYOTTE@governor.nh.gov>, <LORI.A.WEAVER@dhhs.nh.gov>, <SAMUEL.RV.GARLAND@doj.nh.gov>
Cc: Dougherty, Jennifer <jennifer.dougherty@dhhs.nh.gov>, SUSAN N LARRABEE <SUSAN.N.LARRABEE@dhhs.nh.gov>, Francesca Broderick <francescab@drcnh.org>
Her Excellency, Governor Kelly A. Ayotte,
Disability Rights Center-NH (DRC-NH) visited the Sununu Youth Services Center (SYSC) on April 9, 2026 and met with staff and residents. While we are compiling a comprehensive list of issues, we have immediate and grave concerns regarding the safety of the youth presently residing at SYSC. These concerns include repeated and consistent improper use of restraints and seclusion. See RSA 126-U:1, IV, V-a, VI.
The use of restraints is limited to emergencies and “shall only be used in a … facility to ensure the immediate physical safety of persons when there is a substantial and imminent risk of serious bodily harm to the child or others.” RSA 126-U:5, I. The use of restraint is only permitted “… when all other interventions have failed….” Id. Restraint as a form of punishment is explicitly prohibited. RSA 126-U:5, II.
DRC-NH has been informed that SYSC is purposely agitating youth through the use of unnecessary physical contact, escalating situations with youth, illegally restraining youth in a prone position, and using restraint and seclusion without legal justification. These actions have resulted in serious physical and emotional trauma to the youth at SYSC. DRC-NH has serious concern that if action is not immediately taken by the Division for Children, Youth and Families and SYSC to cease these illegal practices, there is the potential for other serious incidents to occur.
Due to the seriousness of our concerns, DRC-NH plans to visit SYSC this weekend to observe and visit with the youth.
Please acknowledge receipt of this email.
Sincerely,
Michael D. Todd, Esq.
Special Projects Director
Disability Rights Center – NH
64 N. Main Street, Suite 2, 3rd Floor
Concord, NH 03301
phone: (603) 228-0432
Francesca Broderick, Esq.
Senior Staff Attorney
Director – Monitoring and Investigations
Disability Rights Center – NH
64 North Main Street, Suite 2, 3rd Floor
Concord, NH 03301
phone: (603) 228-0432
