A disturbing new true crime documentary series has just landed on Netflix, with fans hailing it as “wild”, “crazy” and a “painful but important watch”.
Abuse of power remains a pervasive issue across numerous sectors, casting a shadow over the integrity of institutions worldwide. We saw it with the Vallejo PD in Netflix’s American Nightmare, as Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn struggled to find justice and had the blame turned on them following a traumatic incident.
This will also be at the center of the upcoming ID docuseries, Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, which pulls back the curtain on the set of Dan Schneider’s most popular Nickelodeon shows to explore allegations of abuse, sexism, racism, and inappropriate dynamics with underage stars and staff.
Now, a new true crime series has landed on Netflix – following on from the streamer’s Hell Camp, it puts the troubled teen under the microscope with details of sinister and ongoing abuse at various “academies” across the US.
Netflix viewers say true crime documentary The Program is a “must watch”
Viewers have been left disturbed by The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping, which dropped on Netflix yesterday (March 5), though they have hailed it a “must watch” as it shines a light on the troubled teen industry and the many programs that are still operating to this day.
The four-part documentary series follows a group of former students as they detail the abuse and bizarre control tactics they experienced while being forcefully held at Academy at Ivy Ridge in upstate New York. Director Katherine Kubler knows first-hand how much damage was caused by the WWASP-affiliated organization – because she had to stay there for 15 months as a teen, on her father’s orders.
Ivy Ridge students weren’t allowed to talk, smile, go outside, or communicate with the outside world. When other WWASP (World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools) schools – founded by Robert “Bob” Lichfield – were shut down by police, an influx of pupils were sent to the New York facility.
Katherine recalls seeing the school overcrowded, with mattresses lining the halls. She and her peers describe having to sleep with their arms outstretched. They were also food and sleep deprived, and were made to take part in bizarre seminars designed to “break” their spirit. But most sinister of all are the numerous former pupils who came forward with claims of sexual abuse at the hands of staff members. Since no arrests were made, they’re unable to name the perpetrators.
Although Ivy Ridge was eventually dissolved, the ending of The Program shows that many of these institutions are still functional today – including the Eagle Ranch Academy, WinGate Wilderness Therapy, and Never Give Up Youth Healing Center.
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Viewers have since flooded social media to share their thoughts on the doc, with one writing on X, “I finished watching The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping on Netflix and wow, what a watch. It’s a painful, but important watch. I’m so proud of the survivors sharing their experiences and I hope parents stop sending their kids to these abusive and in some cases fatal places.”
“Everyone needs to watch ‘The Program’ on Netflix,” said another, while a third added, “The Program on Netflix is crazy as hell, and sick. Everybody who was involved in hurting/abusing them kids wants to take accountability even 20 years later. Wild.”
While there’s plenty of criticism directed towards those running the programs, there’s just as much backlash about the parents who sent their kids to these boarding schools without really knowing what goes on there.
As is explored in The Program, Katherine wrote numerous letters to her father expressing her desire to come home. It’s also revealed that none of the Ivy Ridge staff had training or credentials required to work with teenagers, and the students didn’t receive a formal education.
“Watching The Program on Netflix and these parents need jail time too,” wrote one X user, while another said, “How can the parents of the kids in The Program on Netflix live with themselves? This sh*t is crazy.”
Over on Reddit, a third commented: “Sorry, I don’t really feel bad for the parents who put their kids through this shit. At least a month + of not talking to your own child and having no idea what the f*ck is going on there? What a joke. And when you do talk to your flesh and blood it’s only for 15 minutes and it’s censored?”
They continued: “You’re a sh*t parent and you should absolutely feel guilty. I am not a parent but I know damn well my own parents and my friends who have children would never ever be ok with one 15 minute call a month maybe. With staff you don’t even know who’s around your kid? Nor would they ever send their children away as a minor for that long. I don’t care how bad you were swindled by the ‘education counselor’.”
The Program is available to stream on Netflix now – you can read our breakdown of the ending here, and check out all of the new true crime and documentaries heading to streaming this month.
