Utah regulators have revoked the licence of Provo Canyon School’s girls’ residential treatment campus following findings that the facility failed to meet required health and safety standards.
State officials cited a range of violations, including unnecessary physical restraint, aggressive staff conduct, and instances of neglect. Under the order, the Springville campus must end operations by 6 August unless the decision is overturned through the appeals process.
The announcement marks a significant moment for survivor advocates, including Paris Hilton, who has spent years speaking publicly about her experience at the school during the 1990s when it operated under previous ownership.
Hilton said the decision confirms what many former residents have alleged for decades, describing it as long overdue recognition for those who reported abuse and neglect. She said she hopes the action will help protect children currently in residential treatment programs and demonstrate that institutions can be held accountable.
School representatives said they are reviewing the state’s decision and considering legal and administrative options, including an appeal. They added that their focus remains on providing safe care for adolescents and supporting the families they serve.
The regulatory action follows broader scrutiny of the facility. The school’s boys’ campus remains open but is currently barred from accepting new admissions after investigators identified separate concerns involving student safety and staff response to an incident.
Hilton has become one of the most prominent voices calling for reform within the troubled teen industry. Since publicly sharing her own experiences, she has worked with lawmakers across the United States and testified before Congress in support of stronger oversight and protections for young people placed in private residential treatment programs.
The closure order represents one of the most significant enforcement actions taken against the facility and highlights growing efforts by regulators and advocates to strengthen accountability across youth treatment centres.
