Six former students of a US state-run correctional school have accused the institution of subjecting children to years of alleged abuse, including solitary confinement, physical force, and humiliating punishments. The allegations center on Wyoming Boys' School, a juvenile detention facility in Worland, Wyoming, where the former residents claim they were subjected to harsh treatment by staff.
Allegations of Abuse
According to court documents filed in February 2024, the six men allege they endured a range of abuses, including prolonged use of restraint chairs, psychological mistreatment, and neglect of medical needs. Specific claims include staff using excessive force, tackling and shoving boys who posed no threat, failing to accommodate disabilities, and denying regular reviews of solitary confinement placements.
The school, the Wyoming Department of Family Services, and several current and former employees have denied the allegations and asked the court to dismiss the case.
New Evidence Submitted
In the latest development, three claimants—Blaise Chivers-King, Charles "Rees" Karn, and Dylan Tola—submitted new evidence to the court last week, including photographs, video footage, and witness testimony, according to WyoFile. One image appears to show Karn shirtless and strapped to a restraint chair by his wrists and ankles, with a mask covering his head. Another photograph shows a boy crouched in the corner of what is alleged to be a solitary confinement cell.
The lawsuit also cites an alleged comment from a staff member regarding the restraint chair. Court documents claim the guard said: "The best part of the chair is watching the kids cry and scream like a f****** child [...] that's what makes it worth it."
The former students further allege they were placed in restraints for up to eight hours a day and that some residents who self-harmed were subsequently put into solitary confinement rather than receiving appropriate care.
Background of Plaintiffs
All six plaintiffs were sent to Wyoming Boys' School after 2018 following criminal offences committed as juveniles. Karn, one of the men involved in the lawsuit, is currently serving a life sentence after being convicted of murdering his girlfriend in 2023. He alleges one staff member shoved his head into broken glass before restraining him. The employee has denied the accusation.
State lawyers argue Karn was repeatedly disruptive while at the facility, citing incidents including an alleged attack on another resident and bomb threats posted on Facebook. Another plaintiff, identified in court papers as "DH," claims he was unfairly placed in solitary confinement. The state says he was disciplined for refusing to follow instructions, while his legal team argues the behaviour was linked to his disabilities.
Disputed Claims
The state has strongly disputed several of the claims made in court filings. The lawsuit also accuses staff of keeping inaccurate records. Court documents claim logbooks contained significant gaps in documentation, questionable entries, and lacked a proper system for verification. However, the state argues there is no evidence the claimants were discriminated against because of their disabilities, maintaining that staff actions were based on behaviour rather than medical conditions.
A judge has yet to decide whether the case will proceed to trial or be dismissed. The Express has contacted the Wyoming Department of Family Services and Wyoming Boys' School for comment.
