Beaten behind closed doors: A look into abuse at Glen Mills Schools

After several incidents came to light in the early 2000s, the school said it would take action. So why are beatings still happening?

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Photo: David Swanson/Philadelphia Inquirer

Photo: David Swanson/Philadelphia Inquirer

Glen Mills Schools is the oldest reform school in the United States. Honored by the Pennsylvania State Assembly and lauded as far away as Florida and Europe, the correctional facility has long had a reputation for being one of the best places a young boy could be sentenced. But a Philadelphia Inquirer investigation found that, for at least the last 20 years, there have been near daily instances of staff abusing the students, some of whom are as young as 11. After several incidents came to light in the early 2000s, the school said it would take action. So why are beatings still happening? And why are we only hearing about it now? Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Lisa Gartner breaks down her investigation on this episode of The Why.

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