DA investigating alleged abuse at Upstate NY school in Netflix’s ‘The Program’

• Geoff Herbert |

An Upstate New York district attorney is investigating complaints of abuse at a former school featured in the new Netflix documentary series “The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping.”

WWNY reports the St. Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office, the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office and New York State Police held a press conference Monday in Canton after receiving dozens of complaints since the limited series was released last week. Students at the former Academy at Ivy Ridge in Oswegatchie, near Ogdensburg, reported sexual, physical and mental abuse at the boarding school when it was open between 2001 and 2009.

“The Program” follows several former students who return to the school, which closed in 2009, and explore abandoned buildings. The three-part series is directed by Katherine Kubler, a former Ivy Ridge student, who said her team found documents and videos showing abuse at the school including flogging by staff, being cut off from the outside world, and a “no camera” room where much of the alleged abuse took place.

According to Time magazine, Ivy Ridge promoted itself as a disciplinary program for troubled teens, claiming it would improve their behavior with therapeutic activities. But students were allegedly forced to engage in cult-like behavior and endure trauma, including being handcuffed by staff to be transported to the school. Students also did not receive diplomas transferable to colleges because the school was not licensed, certified or registered with the New York State Department of Education.

“I made this series because there really was nothing out there to help explain what had happened to me to my friends and family to warn them about these places,” Kubler told the publication. “This industry exists because there are not many good resources out there for families in a crisis, so we need to figure out alternate solutions.”

St. Lawrence County D.A. Gary Pasqua said his office is investigating the complaints, but urged the public not to trespass on the Ivy Ridge property or to harass people, including former staff at the school. WWNY reports the former academy is now blocked off with “no trespassing” signs.

“I understand the reaction that is going to come from watching some of the things that were on those videos. But it is not a reason, it does not give you a free pass to go and harass anyone, whether it be a person or a business,” Pasqua said. “Please. Let us do our job.”

Pasqua did, however, urge anyone who was a victim of abuse at Ivy Ridge to call his office in Canton.

According to North Country Public Radio, the New York State Attorney General’s Office previously investigated the school in 2005 after a riot was reported at Ivy Ridge. The school was forced to pay 0,000 in penalties and the state stopped issuing high school diplomas to the academy.

Ivy Ridge shut down in 2009 after being fined by the NY AG’s Office for issuing fake diplomas, according to WWTI.

North Country-based New York State Assemblyman Scott Gray called on state Attorney General Letitia James to conduct a new, “comprehensive investigation” into Ivy Ridge.

“Our focus should be on holding those responsible accountable and ensuring the well-being of all individuals affected by the events at the Academy,” Gray said in a statement. “Furthermore, this is precisely why we need transparency and oversight of the services available for individuals who are considered our most vulnerable population, whether it is the elderly or youth, whether it is dealing with behavioral health or substance use issues. I will remain diligent in my advocacy for individuals at all levels of life so situations like this one do not occur again.”