Governor Shapiro: Protect Children in Pennsylvania, Shut Down Abraxas Facilities

Children deserve safety, dignity, and care, not abuse behind closed doors. Pennsylvania must act now to protect youth held in facilities with documented patterns of abuse and harm.

Tell Governor Shapiro to act now.

Dear Governor Shapiro,

We urge you to take immediate action to close the Abraxas Academy Juvenile Detention Facility in Morgantown and ensure no child in Pennsylvania is subjected to abuse in a state-licensed program. Investigations and legal complaints have described a culture of abuse at the facility, including incidents of physical violence, sexual coercion, and mistreatment of children placed there for care and supervision.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has already cited Abraxas Academy for “gross incompetence, negligence, and misconduct.” Yet children, including immigrant youth transferred there through federal custody arrangements, continue to be held at the facility. These children deserve protection, not punishment.

Every day that a facility with documented abuse remains open is another day that young people are exposed to harm. Pennsylvania has both the authority and the responsibility to act decisively to safeguard the children entrusted to its care.

We call on your administration to:

Immediately close the Abraxas Academy Juvenile Detention Facility in Morgantown.
Revoke remaining licenses and investigate all allegations of abuse.
Ensure children currently held at the facility are safely relocated and reunited with families whenever possible.
Strengthen oversight of all youth facilities in Pennsylvania to prevent future abuse.

Pennsylvania must lead with care, dignity, and accountability. We implore you to protect children and close Abraxas now.

Sincerely,

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