Facility profile Utah

Provo Canyon School

Also known as PCS, UHS of Provo Canyon dba Provo Campus

Closed Provo, Utah

Provo Canyon School was a residential treatment center in Provo, Utah, operated by Universal Health Services (UHS). It operated from 1971 to 2026.

Serious violations

What state inspectors found and confirmed here, in their own words. Each finding was picked out of the inspection reports and checked by our team before it was listed.

Physical abuse or assault Inspected Jun 19, 2026

The staff initiated a physical restraint after the client threw water on the staff. During the physical restraint, a staff laid on the client's legs, resulting in the client sustaining a fractured foot.

From the UT inspection report. Out of compliance, complaint, investigation inspection Also: Restraint or seclusion causing injury

Physical abuse or assault Inspected May 18, 2026

During the inspection, the investigator determined that the provider failed to summon emergency medical services for a minor client who was rendered unconscious and sustained severe head and facial injuries during a physical assault. Rather than summoning emergency medical transport, the provider elected to call a non-medical transport company to take the [...]

Read the whole finding

During the inspection, the investigator determined that the provider failed to summon emergency medical services for a minor client who was rendered unconscious and sustained severe head and facial injuries during a physical assault. Rather than summoning emergency medical transport, the provider elected to call a non-medical transport company to take the client to the hospital, delaying medical treatment

From the UT inspection report. Out of compliance, investigation inspection Also: Medical neglect

Physical abuse or assault Inspected Mar 23, 2026

On 2/18/2026, a staff member punched a client. The client was injured and got stitches in their mouth.

From the UT inspection report. Out of compliance, investigation inspection Also: Hospitalisation

Self-harm Inspected Jun 19, 2026

Left unmonitored, the client removed a metal screw from the underside of the chair the staff member was occupying and ingested it, which resulted in emergency medical intervention.

From the UT inspection report. Out of compliance, complaint, investigation inspection

Lawsuits

  • Second family v. Provo Canyon School (2026, medical malpractice) 2026 | Filed

    The second of two family lawsuits filed in June 2026, alleging the school failed to provide adequate medical care to a teenager, resulting in serious injury and health complications.

  • Family of injured teen v. Provo Canyon School (2026, delayed medical care) 2026 | Filed

    A mother alleges staff ignored her son's warnings that he was not safe before he was attacked at the facility and suffered a jaw injury and brain bleed, and that medical care was delayed. Utah licensers sanctioned the school over the same incident in June 2026. Paris Hilton publicly supported the family and called for the school's closure.

  • Ross v. Universal Health Services, Inc. et al. 2021 | Dismissed | U.S. District Court for the District of Utah | 2:22-cv-00053 (D. Utah)

    Outcome: The case was dismissed by the court.

    A former resident who was 13 when placed at the school in 2001 alleges he was forced to perform oral sex on a staff member at least a dozen times under threat of punishment and starvation, was locked in solitary confinement for weeks at a time, was overmedicated with Seroquel, Depakote, Trileptal and Celexa, and went two years without being allowed outdoors.

  • Chudnovsky v. Provo Canyon School 2017 | Unknown

    Parents allege their daughter was denied medical care for nearly two weeks after breaking her thumb, and was given access to staples, pens and plastic cutlery despite the program knowing she struggled with compulsive self-harm.

  • Hinman v. Island View Academy et al. 2014 | Closed | U.S. District Court for the District of Utah | 1:14-cv-00015 (D. Utah)

    Outcome: Summary judgment granted for defendants Island View Academy and Provo Canyon School, and case closed.

    Negligence and breach of fiduciary duty claims against Island View RTC and Provo Canyon School, naming Provo Canyon therapist Wade Taylor among the defendants. The court issued a ruling on May 13, 2015.

  • Provo Canyon School v. HEAL (Human Earth Animal Liberation) 2009 | Unknown

    The school sued the human rights group HEAL for libel over its published records of police calls and complaints about the program. HEAL describes the suit as a strategic lawsuit against public participation and disputes a later NATSAP bulletin's account of it.

  • Milonas and Rice v. Williams (Provo Canyon School) 1979 | Ruling | U.S. District Court for the District of Utah; Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals | 691 F.2d 931 (10th Cir. 1982)

    Outcome: Jury found for the school in 1980, but the district court entered a permanent injunction barring Provo Canyon School from opening, reading or censoring boys' mail, administering polygraphs, placing boys in isolation except to contain physical violence, and using physical force except to restrain a boy who is an immediate danger to himself or others. Affirmed as Milonas v. Williams, 691 F.2d 931 (10th Cir. 1982).

    Two teenagers sent to Provo Canyon School by their home states' juvenile justice systems escaped and brought a federal class action challenging the school's confinement, education and treatment methods. The case produced the 1980 injunction that still defines the limits on isolation, restraint, polygraphs and mail censorship at the school.

  • Taylor v. Charter Medical Corporation and Charter Provo School, Inc. d/b/a Provo Canyon School Ruling | U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit | 162 F.3d 827 (5th Cir. 1998)

    Outcome: Fifth Circuit opinion issued December 9, 1998 (CourtListener). One of the 1980s and 1990s suits over confinement and treatment at the school.

    A former resident sued the school and its then-owner over his confinement and treatment. Part of a run of civil suits during the Charter years alleging abuse, false imprisonment, medical negligence and First Amendment violations.

Every case in the lawsuit directory

Incidents on record

  1. 1974

    Shut down over child abuse and neglect allegations; reopened the same year

  2. 1980

    Federal jury sides with the school in Milonas and Rice; judge issues permanent injunction against polygraphs, mail censorship, and isolation or force except for immediate danger

  3. 2004

    Parent complaint alleges a 15-year-old's nose was broken before a forced Haldol injection and children were held in Observation most of the day

  4. 2012

    Provo campus placed on conditional status after a runaway stole a car and caused a fatal crash

  5. 2013

    Springville campus placed on conditional status after a girl was injured in a restraint

  6. 2015-2020

    341 Office of Licensing investigations, 27 substantiated violations

  7. September 2024

    Staff member arrested for striking a 15-year-old during a restraint; guilty plea July 2025

  8. December 1, 2024

    Staff member struck a client during a restraint (substantiated, repeat noncompliance)

  9. April 13, 2025

    Staff member injured a client's face during a restraint (substantiated)

  10. June 2026

    Licensers sanction the school for delaying care to a teen with a jaw injury and brain bleed; two families sue

  11. July 17, 2026

    Provo campus license revoked; Springville license revoked; operations ordered to cease; appeal filed July 27

News coverage

  • The Salt Lake Tribune Sep 23, 2026 Event

    Advocates call for stronger Utah oversight after deaths at care facilities

    Advocates in Utah are urging stronger state oversight of care facilities after three men died from carbon monoxide poisoning and a nursing home resident died in a fire. The report indicates that warning signs were missed and that existing oversight mechanisms were insufficient.

  • The Salt Lake Tribune Aug 4, 2026 General

    Paris Hilton: Utah must not let Provo Canyon School reopen

    Paris Hilton is advocating against the reopening of Provo Canyon School, citing concerns about the facility's history of abuse. Hilton, a survivor of the school, is urging Utah to prioritize the well-being of children over corporate interests. The school's closure is being considered, with Hilton and other survivors speaking out against its potential reopening.

  • The Salt Lake Tribune Aug 3, 2026 Lawsuit

    10th Circuit rejects Narvin Lichfield's defamation lawsuit against Netflix's 'The Program'

    The 10th Circuit has rejected a defamation lawsuit filed by Narvin Lichfield against Netflix's documentary series 'The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping'. Lichfield, a former teen treatment director, claims the documentary defamed him. The documentary series features allegations of abuse and mistreatment at teen treatment facilities, including Provo Canyon School.

  • The Salt Lake Tribune Jul 27, 2026 Closure

    Provo Canyon School appeals Utah’s order to shut down both troubled teen programs

    Utah officials revoked the licenses of Provo Canyon School's programs due to allegations of abusive discipline, unnecessary restraints, and humiliation of children. The school is now appealing the decision. The allegations led to an order to close the school's girls program by August.

  • Baptist News Global Jul 24, 2026 Closure

    Provo Canyon boarding forced to shut down after abuse lawsuits

    Provo Canyon School, a residential treatment center, has been shut down due to allegations of abuse and neglect. The school faced multiple lawsuits, including two recent cases involving improper care of students who were injured or sick. The Utah Department of Health and Human Services revoked the school's residential treatment license, citing failure to provide a safe environment for children.

  • The Associated Press Jul 19, 2026 Closure

    License revoked for boarding school in Utah where Paris Hilton says she was abused as a teen

    The Utah Department of Health and Human Services revoked the license of the Provo Canyon School's Provo campus due to multiple noncompliance citations, including failure to protect clients from harm and using cruel practices on children. Paris Hilton, who attended the school as a teenager, has spoken out about the abuse she suffered there. The school has until August 15 to stop providing services at its Provo campus.

37 more articles

  • The Salt Lake Tribune Jul 19, 2026 Closure

    Voices: Utah must stand firm on its closure of Provo Canyon School

    Jen Robison, a survivor of Provo Canyon School, writes about her experience and advocates for the school's permanent closure. She believes that children deserve safe help and that the program's closure is necessary to ensure their well-being. The author urges Utah to stand firm on its decision to revoke the school's license.

  • KSL Jul 17, 2026 Lawsuit

    State revokes license of Provo Canyon School's Provo campus amid lawsuit, abuse allegations

    The state of Utah has revoked the license of Provo Canyon School's Provo campus due to repeated noncompliance citations and allegations of abuse. The school was cited for failing to protect clients from harm and using cruel and unnecessary practices. Paris Hilton, a survivor of the school, has filed a lawsuit alleging mistreatment and abuse during her time at the facility.

  • KUTV Jul 17, 2026 Closure

    Utah revokes Provo Canyon School's Provo campus license, orders facility to close

    The Utah Department of Health and Human Services has revoked the residential treatment license for Provo Canyon School's Provo campus, citing concerns over allegations of abuse and mistreatment. The facility must cease operations by August 16. Survivors, including Paris Hilton, have spoken out about their experiences at the school, describing physical and mental abuse.

  • Deseret News Jul 17, 2026 Closure

    Utah officials shut down embattled Provo residential treatment facility Paris Hilton has fought for years to close

    The Utah Department of Health and Human Services revoked the residential treatment license for Provo Canyon School's Provo campus, effectively shutting down the program. The facility must stop providing all services by August 16. Paris Hilton, who attended the school as a youth and has spoken out about abuse, applauded the shutdown.

  • Jezebel Jul 9, 2026 Closure

    Paris Hilton and More Survivors Win Fight to Shut Down Former ‘Troubled Teen’ Facility

    State officials revoked the license of Provo Canyon School in Utah and ordered its closure by August 6, 2026, citing repeated failures to provide adequate care and safety. Survivors, including Paris Hilton, have long reported verbal abuse, forced medication, solitary confinement, and nonconsensual medical examinations at the facility.

  • The Hollywood Reporter Jul 9, 2026 Closure

    Utah Shuts Down Provo Canyon School Paris Hilton Accused of Abuse

    The state of Utah has shut down the Provo Canyon School due to multiple health and safety violations. Paris Hilton, a survivor of the facility, has spoken out about the abuse she experienced during her time there. The school's closure comes after years of allegations of abuse and neglect.

  • EDGE Jul 8, 2026 Closure

    Utah Revokes License for Boarding School Where Paris Hilton Says She Was Abused As a Teen

    Utah's Department of Health & Human Services revoked the operating license of Provo Canyon School, citing multiple health and safety violations, including inadequate staffing, improper restraints, and failure to verify employee background checks. The action follows survivor testimony, including statements from Paris Hilton, about alleged abuse at the facility.

  • BBC Jul 8, 2026 Closure

    Utah boarding school where Paris Hilton alleged abuse as a teen loses its licence

    The Provo Canyon School in Utah has had its license revoked due to noncompliance issues, including unnecessary restraint and neglect. Paris Hilton, a survivor of the school, has spoken out about the abuse she experienced during her time there. The school's license cancellation is a result of an investigation by Utah state regulators.

  • The Salt Lake Tribune Jun 23, 2026 Expose

    Disability Law Center says teens aren’t safe at Utah program

    The Disability Law Center has reported concerns about the safety of teens at Provo Canyon School, citing incidents of violence, self-harm, and inadequate medical care. The center's findings are based on visits to the program's Provo and Springville campuses. The report highlights chronic staffing shortages and other issues that may be putting teens at risk.

  • The Salt Lake Tribune Jun 15, 2026 Lawsuit

    Provo Canyon School lawsuit: Teen warned he wasn’t safe before attack, mother says ‘Shut it down’

    A mother has filed a lawsuit against Provo Canyon School, alleging that staff ignored safety concerns before her son was seriously injured. The incident has prompted calls for the school's closure. Paris Hilton, an advocate for reform of the troubled teen industry, has spoken out in support of the family.

  • KUTV Jun 15, 2026 Lawsuit

    Paris Hilton backs two families' lawsuits against Provo Canyon School

    Two families have filed lawsuits against Provo Canyon School, alleging medical neglect and malpractice. Paris Hilton, who attended the school as a teenager, is supporting the families and calling for the school to be shut down. The lawsuits claim that the school failed to provide adequate medical care to two teenagers, resulting in serious injuries and health complications.

  • The Salt Lake Tribune Jun 2, 2026 Event

    ‘Troubled teen’ industry: Provo Canyon School under renewed scrutiny after Utah sanctions facility over injured teen

    Provo Canyon School has been sanctioned by Utah licensers for delaying medical care to a teen who suffered a jaw injury and brain bleed in a fight at the facility. The school has a history of abuse allegations. The sanction prevents the facility from accepting new clients temporarily.

  • HuffPost Oct 10, 2025 Lawsuit

    Former Spring Ridge Academy Students Say School Inflicted Abuse, Trauma

    Former students of Spring Ridge Academy have come forward with allegations of abuse and trauma, including physical restraint, psychological games, and humiliating punishments. The facility's founder, Jeannie Courtney, denies the allegations, but court records and police reports suggest a pattern of mistreatment. Many former students have struggled with long-term effects, including addiction and survivor's guilt.

  • The Salt Lake Tribune Feb 21, 2025 Expose

    Their kids died in Utah teen treatment programs. Now, these parents are asking Utah lawmakers to beef up oversight.

    Parents of teens who died in Utah treatment facilities spoke to lawmakers in support of SB297, a bill to strengthen oversight of the troubled teen industry. Dean Goodridge described how his daughter Taylor died at Diamond Ranch Academy after staff failed to get her medical help for a treatable infection. Katy Silvers said her son Biruk died by suicide at Discovery Ranch after telling his therapist he had a detailed plan. The program never informed his family. Both parents said their children could have been saved if someone had acted. SB297 would fund an independent ombudsman to investigate complaints and create an advisory board to review whether facilities are admitting youth they are equipped to serve. Primary Children’s Hospital reported treating 169 out-of-state children from Utah programs in 2024, leading to a shortage of beds for local kids. The average stay for those out-of-state youth was 30 percent longer. One child lived in the hospital for five months, blocking care for 22 Utah patients. Although some families defended the programs, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to move the bill forward.

  • Salt Lake Tribune Feb 14, 2025 General

    Provo Canyon School staff hurt kids, Utah licensers found; its Springville campus is under close watch

    Utah officials placed Provo Canyon School’s Springville campus under heightened scrutiny after state inspectors found repeated harm to youth in its care. A recent video showed a staff member striking a child during a restraint, one of at least seven documented incidents over two years where young people were not kept safe. Survivors like Paris Hilton have spoken publicly about their experiences at the school, describing abuse and overmedication. Regulators now require more oversight, but the program continues to operate, housing over 100 teens with serious mental health needs.

  • KUTV Feb 14, 2025 Arrest

    Utah treatment center closes abruptly after history of violations and abuse

    Three Points Center, a residential treatment program in Hurricane, Utah, closed abruptly on February 14, giving families just ten days to respond. The facility, which served adopted teens, had a documented history of abuse, including 14 state violations for improper restraints, physical aggression, and verbal abuse. Reports included a staff member throwing furniture at a child and injuring another during an unnecessary intervention. Founded by Dr. Norm Thibault, the center had direct ties to the discredited WWASP network, with leaders previously working at Cross Creek and Liahona Academy. Child rights attorney Dawn J. Post also linked the program to an abusive facility in the U.S. through her investigation of Youth Division Academy in Jamaica. Post raised additional concerns about staff with criminal histories and a pattern of hiring unqualified workers. One reported employee had a 2013 charge for child abuse material and a 2024 felony obscenity conviction. Utah laws allowing parents to force teens into treatment until age 18—with no consent required from the child—make the state a hub for such facilities. Critics fear current residents will be quietly transferred to other institutions without review or accountability.

  • KSL.com Sep 14, 2024 Arrest

    Provo Canyon School employee arrested

    Mulmauga Tuiloma, 27, was arrested for physically assaulting a 15 year-old girl at Provo Canyon School He is being investigated for aggravated child abuse Tuiloma originally claimed that the assault was a form of “restraint” Charges have not yet been filed

  • Salon Mar 26, 2023 General

    Paris Hilton discusses her experience in the troubled teen industry

    Paris Hilton recounts her time at a residential program in Provo Canyon, describing it as abusive and restrictive. She advocates for legislative reforms to increase oversight of similar facilities and highlights ongoing efforts to support other survivors.

  • The Independent Mar 24, 2023 General

    Paris Hilton Discusses Memoir, Childhood Institutional Placement, and Industry Advocacy

    Paris Hilton discusses her memoir, disclosing experiences of being removed from her home by transport agents and subjected to physical restraint, isolation, and abuse while placed in youth residential facilities in Utah and across the United States. She also addresses her subsequent advocacy work supporting legislative reforms and investigations into the troubled teen industry.

  • archive.ph (archived) Oct 12, 2022 General

    Ex-student at exclusive California school claims headmaster molested her for two years (2022-10-12)

  • The New York Times Oct 11, 2022 Expose

    An Investigation into the Troubled Teen Industry and Mental Health Facilities

    An investigative report examining the troubled teen industry highlights systemic issues including minimal oversight, profit-driven management, and widespread allegations of physical and sexual abuse, chemical and physical restraints, and solitary confinement in residential treatment facilities.

  • USA Today May 11, 2022 Expose

    Paris Hilton Advocates for Federal Legislation to End Institutional Child Abuse

    Advocate and survivor Paris Hilton published an opinion piece detailing allegations of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse experienced while placed at residential facilities, including Provo Canyon School. The article calls for federal legislation to increase oversight, document restraint use, and end institutional child abuse.

  • The Daily Utah Chronicle Apr 13, 2022 Expose

    Cushman: Utah Needs to Address Isolation of Teens in Utah Teen Treatment Centers

    The article reports allegations of physical restraint, emotional abuse, solitary confinement, forced medication, and sexual abuse experienced by survivors at Utah teen treatment centers such as Provo Canyon School and Red Rock Canyon School. It highlights the role of isolation in limiting access to help and calls for stronger state regulation to protect youths in these facilities.

  • The Imprint Nov 2, 2021 Corporate

    Federal Watchdogs Find Abuse at For-Profit Youth Residential Programs in 18 States

    A report by the National Disability Rights Network documents widespread civil rights violations, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, and inappropriate use of psychotropic medication across for-profit youth residential programs in 18 states. The findings highlight systemic issues driven by profit-seeking models, prompting calls for increased federal oversight and accountability.

  • Refinery29 Jun 29, 2021 Expose

    An Examination of Allegations and Practices Within the Troubled Teen Industry

    Multiple survivors have come forward with allegations of emotional, physical, and psychological abuse within various residential treatment facilities and behavioral modification programs. Former residents report practices including involuntary transport, isolation, forced labor, and peer-to-peer shaming sessions, prompting increased public scrutiny of the troubled teen industry.

  • The Salt Lake Tribune Jun 21, 2021 Expose

    Investigation Details Historical Lapses in Oversight at Utah Youth Treatment Facilities

    An investigative report reveals that Utah regulatory agencies historically failed to cite residential youth treatment facilities for rule violations, leaving incidents of physical restraint and mistreatment largely unpunished. The report details a 2016 incident at Provo Canyon School involving the physical restraint of a resident, which resulted in an untreated concussion, and examines subsequent state efforts to increase regulatory oversight.

  • KUER Mar 10, 2021 Expose

    Analysis Of New Crowd-Funded Utah Teen Treatment Database Raises Questions About Effectiveness Of Inspections

    An analysis of a new database containing five years of inspection reports for youth residential treatment centers in Utah reveals that state regulators found facilities to be compliant 98% of the time. Journalists noted that while inspection checklists primarily focus on minor structural and paperwork compliance rather than treatment quality or safety, incident reports continue to document concerning practices such as staff use of physical restraints.

  • Daily Herald Feb 12, 2021 Event

    Amid abuse allegations at Provo Canyon School, state legislators push for transparency (2021-02-12)

    Former residents of Provo Canyon School have alleged physical, chemical, and sexual abuse, prompting survivor Paris Hilton to testify before Utah legislators. In response, Senate Bill 127 was introduced to increase oversight, limit restraints, and require reporting and suicide‑prevention measures at youth residential treatment facilities.

  • Windsor Star Feb 9, 2021 Event

    Paris Hilton testifies about alleged abuse at Utah boarding school

    Paris Hilton testified before the Utah Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee about alleged verbal, mental, and physical abuse she experienced while attending the Provo Canyon residential school for 11 months. She described daily abuse, lack of privacy, forced medication, and called for increased oversight of such facilities.

  • The Salt Lake Tribune Feb 6, 2021 Expose

    Documents detail use of sedative on Oregon foster child at youth facility in Utah

    Public records obtained by Oregon officials describe a 14-year-old foster child with an intellectual disability who was restrained physically nearly 30 times, placed in seclusion, and administered chemical restraints 17 times while at Provo Canyon School in Utah. The documentation prompted an investigation, the child's removal to Oregon, and legislative efforts in Utah to limit the use of restraints and seclusion in youth treatment facilities.

  • Deseret News Dec 11, 2020 Arrest

    New York Man Charged with Threatening Utah Lawmakers Over Provo Canyon School Grievances

    A New York man and former resident of Provo Canyon School was arrested and charged with making terroristic threats after sending death threats and violent messages to Utah lawmakers demanding legal action against the facility. The suspect, who reported experiencing physical and sexual abuse while housed at the institution, was located in New York and placed under psychiatric evaluation following the issuance of an arrest warrant.

  • HuffPost Canada Nov 22, 2020 Expose

    Allegations of Abuse at U.S. Troubled‑Teen Boarding Schools Involving Canadian Teens

    The article reports allegations of physical restraint, solitary confinement, and sexual misconduct at several U.S. troubled‑teen boarding schools that housed Canadian teenagers. Survivors describe harsh punishments, forced medication, and isolation, and the facilities have faced legal and regulatory scrutiny. The piece highlights gaps in oversight and the impact on the survivors’ mental health.

  • KUER Oct 11, 2020 Event

    ‘It’s What I’ve Been Waiting 30 Years For:’ Survivors Of Abuse In Troubled Teen Facilities March On Provo Canyon School

    More than 100 survivors gathered in Provo, Utah, to march and call for the closure of Provo Canyon School and broader reform of troubled‑teen programs. Participants shared allegations of physical and chemical restraint, forced medical procedures, and suicides linked to their experiences, while urging increased oversight and regulation.

  • KUER 90.1 Oct 6, 2020 Event

    Disability Rights Organization To Investigate Utah’s Youth Residential Treatment Facilities | KUER

    The Disability Law Center has launched a formal investigation into Utah's youth residential treatment facilities following increased public scrutiny and an incident at Red Rock Canyon School. The inquiry aims to evaluate conditions and practices across approximately 100 private behavioral treatment programs operating in the state.

  • Dissident Voice Apr 20, 2006 Expose

    Allegations of Abuse in Residential Treatment Programs for Teens

    The article reports allegations that several privately operated residential treatment programs for adolescents employ coercive discipline, physical and chemical restraints, and isolation, resulting in reported trauma among former participants. It also describes corporate ties, political contributions, and legal actions related to these facilities.

  • FOX 13 News Expose

    Disability watchdog group calls for greater oversight of Utah’s long-term care system

    The Disability Law Center released a report alleging abuse, neglect, and financial mismanagement in Utah nursing homes, teen treatment centers, and disability day programs. The report calls for increased state oversight, transparency of public funds, and stronger staffing and licensing requirements.

  • FOX 13 News Closure

    Families scramble to find alternatives after Provo Canyon School closes

    The Provo Canyon School is closing after the Utah Department of Health and Human Services revoked its licenses due to failure to protect its residents. The school's closure will affect dozens of juveniles who will need to find alternative treatment options. An investigation found that the school had failed to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents, leading to incidents of physical harm.

13 articles about celebrities and viral stories

  • The Express Tribune Sep 5, 2026 Expose

    Documentary exposes alleged abuse at Provo Canyon School

    A documentary released by YouTuber Reckless Ben alleges that Provo Canyon School, a for‑profit residential treatment center in Utah, engaged in verbal and physical abuse, solitary confinement, and other questionable practices. The report describes the infiltration of the facility by Ben posing as a student and a friend posing as staff, and notes prior lawsuits and loss of licenses for the school’s campuses.

  • Fashion Times Aug 19, 2026 Closure

    Utah Youth Residential Treatment Facility Provo Canyon School Ordered to Close Amid Regulatory Violations

    Utah regulators revoked the licenses of Provo Canyon School's Provo and Springville campuses in August 2026, ordering the facilities to cease operations due to documented regulatory violations. An undercover video released by a YouTuber highlighted alleged deficiencies in recruitment, screening, and the use of restraint and humiliating disciplinary practices, adding public attention to the closure.

  • The Salt Lake Tribune Aug 19, 2026 Expose

    Reckless Ben went undercover at Utah’s Provo Canyon School

    YouTuber 'Reckless Ben' conducted an undercover investigation at Provo Canyon School by posing as a teenager. Hidden‑camera footage released by the investigator shows staff training sessions that discuss the use of physical restraints on residents. The school’s administration is reviewing possible actions regarding the investigation.

  • Yahoo Style Canada Aug 3, 2026 Closure

    Paris Hilton Celebrates Planned Closure of Utah Treatment School Where She Claims She Experienced 'Abuse'

    The Utah Department of Health and Human Services has revoked the license of Provo Canyon School, a residential treatment facility, due to noncompliance with rules and statutes. Paris Hilton, a survivor of the facility, has spoken out about the abuse she experienced during her time there. The school's closure is set to be completed by August 6.

  • Yahoo Lifestyle Mar 24, 2023 General

    Discover the Person Behind the Name in Paris Hilton’s ‘Paris: The Memoir’

    Paris Hilton recounts her 11‑month stay at Provo Canyon School, describing forced medical examinations, threats of sedation, and being required to sit nude in an observation room. She characterizes these practices as part of broader harms associated with the troubled‑teen industry.

  • Jezebel Oct 12, 2022 Expose

    Paris Hilton Reveals Sexual Abuse, Nonconsensual ‘Cervical Exams’ at Utah Boarding School

    Paris Hilton has spoken out about the abuse she experienced at Provo Canyon School, including nonconsensual medical exams. She has testified about the emotional and physical abuse she and other teens faced at the school. Hilton is advocating for reforms to youth congregate care and reform schools.

  • The US Sun Sep 15, 2022 Expose

    Paris Hilton Details Experiences at Provo Congregate Care Facility and Advocates for Reform

    Paris Hilton publicly detailed allegations of physical and emotional abuse experienced while enrolled at the Provo Canyon School in Utah as a teenager. Hilton later advocated for legislative reform in congregate care settings, sharing her experiences in a documentary and through testimony before lawmakers.

  • The Sydney Morning Herald Aug 22, 2021 General

    Paris Hilton Discusses Trauma from Residential Treatment and Subsequent Advocacy Work

    Paris Hilton discusses her experience as a teenager at Provo Canyon School, a residential treatment center in Utah, where she experienced emotional and physical abuse. Following the release of her documentary, she partnered with Breaking Code Silence to advocate for legislation regulating troubled teen facilities and banning practices such as chemical sedation and unauthorized mechanical restraints.

  • Refinery29 Mar 22, 2021 Expose

    Danielle Bregoli Publishes Account of Placement at Turn-About Ranch

    In a published video, former program attendee Danielle Bregoli detailed experiences of being involuntarily transported, subjected to sleep deprivation and forced labor, and witnessing physical restraints during her placement at Turn-About Ranch. Bregoli also cited allegations made by another former attendee regarding staff misconduct at the facility.

  • USA TODAY Dec 10, 2020 Expose

    Paris Hilton still fighting Provo Canyon School after 'This Is Paris'

    Paris Hilton alleges that during her 11 months at Provo Canyon School she experienced verbal, emotional and physical abuse, resulting in anxiety, insomnia and trust issues. The school has denied the allegations, citing a change in management in 2000. Hilton and other survivors have formed a database to collect testimonies and are advocating for legislative and regulatory reforms.

  • The Chronicle Sep 24, 2020 Expose

    Documentary 'This is Paris' Highlights Institutional Trauma and Survivor Advocacy

    The documentary "This is Paris" features public figures discussing institutional abuse experienced during adolescence at Provo Canyon School. The film highlights accounts of physical force, seclusion, and psychological trauma endured by residents while enrolled at the behavioral health facility.

  • Refinery29 Sep 22, 2020 General

    Paris Hilton and Drew Barrymore Discuss Shared Experiences in Youth Residential Facilities

    During an interview on a talk show, media personalities Paris Hilton and Drew Barrymore discussed their shared experiences as adolescents subjected to involuntary placement in youth residential facilities. Hilton referenced her documentary, detailing institutional practices at Provo Canyon School, while Barrymore shared her own history of institutionalization and prolonged seclusion.

  • CNN Sep 15, 2020 Expose

    Documentary 'This Is Paris' Features Survivor Accounts of Institutional Abuse at Provo Canyon School

    The documentary "This Is Paris" includes Paris Hilton's account of physical and emotional abuse she experienced while attending Provo Canyon School, a Utah boarding school for troubled teens. Hilton reports ongoing PTSD symptoms and has joined a campaign to raise awareness about similar institutions.

Staff

Administration

Notable staff

Staff who came from other programs

  • Robert B. Lichfield: founded Cross Creek and WWASP after leaving PCS
  • Robert H. Crist and Larry Carter: founded Logan River Academy (2000)
  • Robert H. Crist and Kreg Gillman: founded Silverado Academy (2006; closed 2016)
  • Dennis Eugene Thorne, Robert H. Crist and Brent Hall: founded Discovery Academy (1989)
  • Jack Williams: founded Cinnamon Hills Youth Crisis Center
  • Barry Woodward and Ron S. Tuinei: later CEOs of Copper Hills Youth Center
  • Adam McClain: previously Clinical Director of Peninsula Village (2003-2008) and Executive Director of Northwest Academy (WWASP)
  • Kreg Gillman: previously Aspen Healthcare Services; later Clinical Director of Redcliff Ascent and CEO of UHS Salt Lake Behavioral Health
  • Jennifer Morgan Smith: Executive Director of Provo Canyon Behavioral Hospital
  • Brent Esplin: Red Rock Canyon School, Provo Canyon Behavioral Hospital, Telos RTC, Embark at Hobble Creek
  • Ron S. Tuinei: Heritage RTC, Slate Canyon Youth Center, Cottonwood Treatment Center, Oakley School
  • Katie Jochum: CEDU schools, Boulder Creek Academy, Embark Behavioral Health

Reported practices

Treatment methods

  • Behavior modification
  • Level system (eight levels plus Investment)
  • Seclusion (Observation)
  • Physical restraint (Dial 9)
  • Chemical sedation
  • Mail and phone monitoring

Program philosophy

  • Acuity Based Care (marketed)
  • Tough love

Conditions treated

  • Substance abuse
  • ADHD
  • Anxiety and trauma disorders
  • Mood disorders
  • Oppositional defiant disorder
  • Personality disorders
  • Reactive attachment disorder

Licensing and inspections

Licensed as
UHS Of Provo Canyon dba Provo Campus
License category
Residential Treatment
Licensed capacity
106
License expires
01/31/2027
Licensing action
Conditional
Phone on file
8017041313
Licensed address
4501 N University Ave, Provo, UT, 84604

31 inspection reports on file; the serious findings in them are listed above. Search all Utah reports

The newest 25 reports, by date: 16 findings in 3 reports
  1. Aug 13, 2026 Follow-Up, Additional Follow-Up Inspection
  2. Aug 6, 2026 Conditional, Monitoring Inspection, Follow-Up Inspection
  3. Jul 27, 2026 Conditional, Monitoring Inspection, Follow-Up Inspection
  4. Jul 22, 2026 Follow-Up, Additional Follow-Up Inspection
  5. Jul 14, 2026 Follow-Up, Additional Follow-Up Inspection
  6. Jul 6, 2026 Follow-Up, Additional Follow-Up Inspection
  7. Jul 1, 2026 Non On-Site Inspection
  8. Jun 22, 2026 Conditional, Monitoring Inspection
  9. Jun 19, 2026 Complaint, Investigation Inspection (16 findings)
    12 findings

    • Out of compliance, complaint, investigation inspection : R380-80-5(10) Services and supervision to meet each clients needs

      The provider was out of compliance with R380-80-5(10) by failing to provide services and supervision that is commensurate with the skills, abilities, behaviors, and needs of each client. During the investigation, provider records and facility video coverage show that on June 24, 2026, staff members failed to adequately supervise a client with a documented history of ingesting hazardous objects. Video evidence showed the client lying on the floor directly behind a staff member's chair. Although the staff member was aware of the client's presence, staff turned their back to the client to engage in a conversation with another youth. Left unmonitored, the client removed a metal screw from the underside of the chair the staff member was occupying and ingested it, which resulted in emergency medical intervention.

    • Out of compliance, complaint, investigation inspection : R380-80-5(10) Services and supervision to meet each clients needs

      The provider was out of compliance with R380-80-5(10) for failing to provide services and supervision that is commensurate with the skills, abilities, behaviors, and needs of each client. During the investigation inspection, provider records documented that a staff member failed to verify that all clients were accounted for before transitioning clients from the living unit to the school and a client was left unsupervised on a living unit for 2 hours and 30 minutes.

    • Out of compliance, complaint, investigation inspection : R380-80-5(10) Services and supervision to meet each clients needs

      The provider was out of compliance with R380-80-5(10) for failing to provide services and supervision that is commensurate with the skills, abilities, behaviors, and needs of each client. During the investigation, provider records documented an incident on November 27, 2025, in which a staff member failed to supervise a client who ran from the facility and was missing without staff awareness for 1 hour and 40 minutes.
      26B-2-123(1)(a)-(b): Use of a cruel, severe, unusual, or unnecessary practice on a child — The provider was out of compliance with 26B-2-123(1)(a)(iii) for using cruel and unnecessary practice on a child that included inducing pain to obtain compliance. During the investigation inspection, information was obtained through two (2) interviews, facility video coverage, and provider records that showed facility staff induced physical pain to obtain compliance during a prolonged and unnecessary physical restraint of a client.

    • Out of compliance, complaint, investigation inspection : R380-80-6(1)(a)-(i) Client rights

      The provider was out of compliance with R380-80-6(1)(e) by not ensuring clients have the right to be free from abuse and mistreatment. During the investigation inspection, eleven (11) clients and six (6) staff interviews verified that clients were mistreated and felt unsafe with staff members. The evidence substantiated that staff yell and curse at clients, use racist and homophobic slurs directed at clients, engage in power struggles, antagonize, and instigate reactive behaviors from clients. Additionally, clients reported staff are dismissive, nonresponsive, and verbally aggressive. One staff told a client to kill themselves when the client expressed suicidal ideation.
      26B-2-123(1)(a)-(b): Use of a cruel, severe, unusual, or unnecessary practice on a child — The provider was out of compliance with 26B-2-123(1)(a)(vi) by using a cruel, unusual, and unnecessary practice on a child by using discipline or punishment that was intended to frighten or humiliate. During the investigation inspection, three (3) clients and one (1) staff member reported that staff intentionally humiliate clients. Examples include directing clients to get on their hands and knees and bark like a dog for snacks, and forcing a client, who is a black person, to eat a banana while peers laughed.

    • Out of compliance, complaint, investigation inspection : R380-600-7(6) No withholding or manipulating sources

      The provider was out of compliance with R380-600-7(6) by not ensuring that the integrity of the department's information gathering process is not compromised by withholding or manipulating information. During the investigation, it was determined that the provider omitted critical details from at least two (2) reports previously submitted to the department. Had this crucial information been properly disclosed at the time of submission, it would have immediately prompted a department investigation.

    • Out of compliance, complaint, investigation inspection : R501-14-4(3)(a)-(c) Agency's roster and employee information current

      The provider was out of compliance with R501-14-4(3)(b) by not checking the roster at least monthly to verify employee information and the employment of the employees due for a renewal review. During the investigation inspection, the department identified at least eight (8) provider staff members who did not pass a background screening and had access to clients and/or client records.

    • Out of compliance, complaint, investigation inspection : R380-80-5(4) Provider shall protect clients from abuse, prevent abuse

      The provider was out of compliance with R380-80-5(4) by not protecting clients from abuse, harm, and mistreatment, and any action that may compromise the health and safety of clients through acts or omissions and shall instruct and encourage others to do the same. During the investigation, facility video footage and provider records verified that two (2) staff members failed to intervene, standing by as they watched a client slap two (2) other clients in the head and face. The staff initiated a physical restraint after the client threw water on the staff. During the physical restraint, a staff laid on the client's legs, resulting in the client sustaining a fractured foot.

    • Out of compliance, complaint, investigation inspection : R501-14-5(2)(a)-(b) Application submitted within 2 weeks and applicant directly supervised

      The provider was out of compliance with R501-14-5(2)(b)(i)(ii) by not ensuring each applicant is directly supervised until OBP issues a conditional or eligible clearance determination. During the investigation inspection, an audit conducted by the department identified one hundred (100) staff members whose background screening statuses required them to have direct, uninterrupted audio and visual supervision by a fully cleared staff member at all times when accessing clients or client records. During on-site investigation inspections and throughout facility video coverage review, the department directly observed multiple staff members from this audit list who did not have a conditional or eligible clearance determination interacting with clients without the mandated supervision.
      26B-2-123(1)(a)-(b): Use of a cruel, severe, unusual, or unnecessary practice on a child — The provider was out of compliance with 26B-2-123(1)(a)(xi) for depriving clients of water, rest, and the opportunity for toileting. During the investigation inspection, interviews with three (3) clients and three (3) staff members reported that clients in the Stabilization Unit were limited to using the restroom or obtaining drinking water only at the top of the hour. Clients who reported being ill were denied the opportunity to rest in their beds which was observed by department representatives. Sick clients were required to remain with their group or stay with the Stabilization Unit which only included ...

    • Out of compliance, complaint, investigation inspection : R380-80-6(1)(a)-(i) Client rights

      The provider was out of compliance with R380-80-6(1)(g) by not ensuring that each client has the right to be free from retaliation for reporting any violation of their rights. During the investigation, one (1) staff and three (3) client interviews substantiated that a staff member engaged in a verbal confrontation and called that client a bitch for submitting a grievance report about a staff member.

    • Out of compliance, complaint, investigation inspection : R501-19-5(1)(a)-(b) Manager responsibilities and qualifications

      The provider was out of compliance with R501-19-5(1)(b)((ii) and (iii) for not ensuring the manager has a bachelor’s degree or equivalent training in a human service-related field and has at least three years management experience in a residential or secure treatment setting. During the investigation, a credential review revealed that fifteen (15) provider Program Managers do not meet the requirements for their position.

    • Out of compliance, complaint, investigation inspection : R380-80-5(7) Maintaining health and safety of clients

      The provider was out of compliance with R380-80-5(7) for failing to maintain the health and safety of clients. During on-site inspections conducted on June 20 and June 22, 2026, department investigators observed sanitation, maintenance, and safety deficiencies throughout the facility including, but not limited, damaged walls in client living units, an exposed cable wire hanging from a Stabilization Unit bedroom ceiling, multiple hanging wires under clients’ school desks, gang graffiti carved into the desks, and unsanitary bathrooms with sticky surfaces, a strong odor of urine, and a lack of toilet paper and paper towels across multiple bathrooms.

    • Out of compliance, complaint, investigation inspection : R501-14-4(3)(a)-(c) Agency's roster and employee information current

      The provider was out of compliance with R501-14-4(3)(a) by failing to keep the program’s roster and employee information current in DACS. During the investigation inspection, the provider did not update legal name changes and aliases for (3) staff members who have worked for the provider.

  10. May 19, 2026 2nd Unannounced
  11. May 18, 2026 Investigation Inspection (3 findings)
    3 findings

    • Out of compliance, investigation inspection : R380-80-5(4) Provider shall protect clients from abuse, prevent abuse

      The provider was out of compliance with R380-80-5(4) by not protecting a client from any action that may compromise the health and safety of the client through acts or omissions. During the inspection, the investigator determined that the provider failed to summon emergency medical services for a minor client who was rendered unconscious and sustained severe head and facial injuries during a physical assault. Rather than summoning emergency medical transport, the provider elected to call a non-medical transport company to take the client to the hospital, delaying medical treatment

    • Out of compliance, investigation inspection : R380-80-6(1)(a)-(i) Client rights

      The provider was out of compliance with R380-80-6(1)(c) for failing to ensure that each client has the right to be free from potential harm or acts of violence. During the inspection, the investigator determined that the provider failed to act upon explicit safety concerns, peer threats of violence, and unit transfer requests communicated by a minor client and his legal guardian prior to a severe physical attack. The therapist confirmed these concerns and requests were brought to his attention, but the client was not moved.

    • Out of compliance, investigation inspection : R380-80-6(1)(a)-(i) Client rights

      The provider was out of compliance with R380-80-6(1)(c) for failing to ensure that each client has the right to be free from potential harm or acts of violence. During the inspection, the investigator viewed the video footage which showed a client pour water on another client’s head and slap the top of his head. A staff member attempted to intervene, extending her arm, but was pushed aside. Staff failed to use behavior management training and perform appropriate holds and restraints in order to prevent harm to the client. That staff member called on the radio for assistance while the client lifted the other client up, slammed him onto the floor, and punched him in the face four times rendering him unconscious sustaining severe facial injuries and life threatening head injuries.

  12. May 14, 2026 Investigation Inspection
  13. Mar 24, 2026 Investigation Inspection
  14. Mar 23, 2026 Investigation Inspection (1 finding)
    1 finding

    • Out of compliance, investigation inspection : R380-80-6(1)(a)-(i) Client rights

      The licensee was out of compliance with R380-80-6(1)(a) by failing to protect a client from potential harm or acts of violence. On 2/18/2026, a staff member punched a client. The client was injured and got stitches in their mouth.

  15. Feb 5, 2026 Unannounced, Annual Inspection
  16. Nov 17, 2025 Announced, Annual Inspection
  17. Aug 6, 2025 Investigation Inspection
  18. Aug 4, 2025 3rd Unannounced
  19. May 8, 2025 2nd Unannounced
  20. Apr 11, 2025 Follow-Up Inspection
  21. Feb 20, 2025 Unannounced, Annual Inspection
  22. Nov 21, 2024 Announced, Annual Inspection
  23. Nov 13, 2024 Investigation Inspection
  24. Sep 3, 2024 2nd Unannounced
  25. Jun 25, 2024 Unannounced, Annual Inspection

Connections on the network map

The companies, people and programs our research map ties to this program. Open it on the network map.

Acquisitions

  • Academy at Canyon Creek Acquired by this program (acquired)
  • Universal Health Services Acquired this program (acquired)

Other staff

Ownership

Documents

Documents on file (16)
Woodbury Reports Mentions (9)

Research that mentions this program

The whole research library

From the Unsilenced archive

1,238 documents about Provo Canyon School that Unsilenced collected and Kids Over Profits does not hold a copy of. They open on Unsilenced's Google Drive.

DHHS Reports (3)
DHHS Reports / Emails (3)
DHHS Reports / Investigations (31)
DHHS Reports / Licensing/Inspections/Site Visits (2)
DHHS Reports / Licensing/Inspections/Site Visits / 2016 (3)
DHHS Reports / Licensing/Inspections/Site Visits / 2017 (3)
DHHS Reports / Licensing/Inspections/Site Visits / 2018 (3)
DHHS Reports / Licensing/Inspections/Site Visits / 2019 (2)
DHHS Reports / Licensing/Inspections/Site Visits / 2020 (4)
DHHS Reports / Licensing/Inspections/Site Visits / 2021 (5)
DHHS Reports / Licensing/Inspections/Site Visits / 2022 (3)
DHHS Reports / Licensing/Inspections/Site Visits / 2023 (3)
DHHS Reports / Licensing/Inspections/Site Visits / 2024 (10)
DHHS Reports / Licensing/Inspections/Site Visits / 2025 (8)
DHHS Reports / Licensing/Inspections/Site Visits / 2026 (2)
DHHS Reports / Notices of Agency Action (5)
DHHS Reports / Restraints/Seclusion/Incident Reports / 2018 (2)
DHHS Reports / Restraints/Seclusion/Incident Reports / 2019 (3)
DHHS Reports / Restraints/Seclusion/Incident Reports / 2021 (52)
DHHS Reports / Restraints/Seclusion/Incident Reports / 2022 (120)
Legal (49)
News (686)
Police Records (150)
Professional Licensing (1)
Program Documents (18)
State Special Ed Cases (17)
Survivor Stories (50)

From SCIAD NET

54 documents about Provo Canyon School that Kids Over Profits does not hold a copy of. SCIAD NET keeps them on Google Drive, where they open.

Public Records (24)
Court records: case 1 (2010-2012) (6)
Court records: case 2 (2010-2011) (3)
Court records: case 3 (2015) (2)
Court records: case 4 (2021) (7)
Program Documents (8)
News clippings (4)

Survivor testimony

What people who lived or worked here say happened. Survivors' own words are published with their permission; forum accounts are what was posted publicly and are reported as claims, not findings.

Reported on survivor forums

  1. 1988 Abuse

    A survivor reports being locked up in 1988-1989, subjected to wall-staring for hours, solitary confinement, and physical violence by staff.source

  2. 1988 Seclusion

    A survivor describes being locked in solitary confinement for over 24 hours.source

  3. 1990 Sexual abuse

    A former student reported witnessing the sexual abuse of a child during an 11-month stay between 1990 and 1991.source

  4. 2003 Injury

    A poster states their sister was sent to Provo Canyon School and was injured and traumatized.source

  5. 2004 Seclusion

    A 16-year-old girl with mental illness was isolated in a tiny, cold, concrete observation room all day long without schooling or socialization.source

  6. 2004 Abuse

    A 14-year-old rape victim had her nose broken in a violent physical take-down and was overdosed with a forced injection of Haldol.source

  7. Reported April 2004 Abuse

    Former students report abuse including forced drugging, denial of medical care, isolation, seclusion, and sleep deprivation.source

  8. Reported April 2004 Abuse

    A student was placed in isolation and seclusion for a month and punished for speaking out in group therapy.source

  9. Reported April 2004 Abuse

    Former students and activists report physical, emotional, and psychological abuse including forced drugging, medical denial, and isolation.source

  10. Reported May 2004 Abuse

    A parent states their epileptic daughter was locked in cages wearing only undergarments with a sheep for warmth and given unapproved medications.source

  11. Reported May 2004 Abuse

    A student describes being thrown on a concrete floor, having a knee placed in their back and neck, and being injected with Haldol after yelling in frustration.source

  12. Reported May 2004 Abuse

    Provo Canyon School routinely breaks core rules on isolation, treats patients with disdain, and deprives children of necessary medical care.source

Research notes

  • Founded 1971 as an all-boys program by Robert H. Crist and Jack Williams; the girls program opened in Orem and moved to a new Springville campus in 2005. Elementary and transition programs have operated in Orem.
  • Considered a hub of the troubled teen industry: WWASP's founders and much of its staff came from PCS.
  • Tuition reported at more than $12,500 per month; average stay 8 to 12 months, often longer.
  • Utah Office of Licensing records mirrored on this site: Springville campus 64 inspections and 7 substantiated findings, December 2022 to August 2025; Provo campus 18 inspections in the same period.
  • Profile assembled by Kids Over Profits on 2026-09-11 from site records; see the Facility Profile post for sources.
  • Gender as recorded: boys (Provo campus; girls at the Springville campus)
  • Operations suspended: the Utah Department of Health and Human Services revoked the Provo campus license (93696) on July 17, 2026 and ordered the campus to cease operations by August 16, 2026; the Springville campus license (93697) was revoked as well. The school appealed both orders on July 27, 2026 and the appeal is pending.
  • Shut down in 1974 over child abuse and neglect allegations; reopened the same year.
  • Provo campus placed on conditional status in 2012 after a runaway caused a fatal crash; Springville campus placed on conditional status in 2013 after a restraint injury; both licenses were conditional at revocation.
  • Ordered closed (2026-08-06) per news report: Jezebel, "Paris Hilton and More Survivors Win Fight to Shut Down Former ‘Troubled Teen’ Facility", 2026-07-09 source
  • Utah revoked the Provo campus license (93696) on July 17, 2026 and ordered it to stop all services by August 16, 2026; the appeal UHS filed on July 27 did not change that deadline. (Utah orders last Provo Canyon School teen treatment center to shut down, 2026-07-17, source)
  • Jack L. Williams, Founder, Founder and original owner, Original owner (1971-2025, r/troubledteens wiki) (HEAL, staff list for Cinnamon Hills Youth Crisis Center in St. George, UT (archived 2025-07-20), source)
  • Megan L. Hamblin, Staff (2025, r/troubledteens wiki), left (r/troubledteens wiki, page "Provo Canyon School" (as of 2025-12-18), source)
  • Robert B. Lichfield, Dorm parent, Director, Director of Residential Living (1977-2025, r/troubledteens wiki), left (r/troubledteens wiki, page "Provo Canyon School" (as of 2025-12-18), source)
  • Robert H. Crist, Medical Director, Founder, Co-Founder, Original owner (1971-2025, r/troubledteens wiki), left (HEAL, staff list for Discovery Academy (archived 2025-07-11), source)
  • Ron S. Tuinei, Program Director, later Executive Director, Executive Director (2016-2020, r/troubledteens wiki), left (r/troubledteens wiki, page "Provo Canyon School" (as of 2025-12-18), source)
  • Sam Hill, Program Director of the Girls program, Clinical Program Director (1990, r/troubledteens wiki), left (r/troubledteens wiki, page "Provo Canyon School" (as of 2025-12-18), source)

Wiki entries

Materials and links

Materials the project holds for this facility. Ask through the correction form to see any of them.

News and media

  • News articles14 approved articles in the Kids Over Profits news feed, 2020-2026, plus four news posts
  • Video
  • Press releasesOctober 2020 media statement on ownership

Manuals and handbooks

  • Staff manual
  • Student or resident manual

Other documentation

  • NATSAP profile
  • Archived website
  • Document folder 50: 1997 parent manual, Preparing for the Return Home, December 2017 admissions packet, 2011 NATSAP listing, Milonas ruling and memorandum, 2025 admissions page captures
  • HEAL police call log, January 2001 to December 2007
  • Utah Office of Licensing inspection records, licenses 93696 and 93697 (mirrored on /ut-reports/)

Legal and compliance

  • Lawsuits
  • Documented violations
  • Police reports

Official documentation

  • Inspection reports
  • State reports

Business and property

  • Enrollment documents
  • Promotional materials

External links

A program's own website is linked as an archived snapshot, so the page reads as it did when it was captured.

Record updated . Generated from the Kids Over Profits facility database. Suggest a correction