The disturbing Netflix docuseries The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping reveals a harrowing and unsettling story of alleged abuse suffered by students at The Academy at Ivy Ridge, which was opened in 2001 and run by the school’s then-director, Jason Finlinson. Finlinson was accused of being a strict and abusive disciplinarian and the series features testimonies from former students, who were often forcibly enrolled into the program at the privately owned boarding school in Ogdensburg, New York.
Where is Jason Finlinson now?
Allegations of the terrible conditions that the students were forced to endure finally became mainstream news and the facility would close down in 2009, with Finlinson and other staff members charged with child abuse. Finlinson has also had many lawsuits leveled against him since the allegations were made. The exact location of the accused Finlinson is not known.
Finlinson and other staff members would be accused of a horrifying catalog of mistreatment of the students. An article in The Sun US would list the terrible conditions that the subjects would face including, “menacing, manipulative, and downright abusive staff, solitary confinement, physical restraints, and cramped bedrooms. Students faced psychological torture, sexual abuse, physical abuse, and even unauthorized medical procedures.”
The article goes on to say that teenagers at the facility were “Treated like prisoners”, and that:
“Students would be blocked from looking out windows, and barred from going outside altogether. They would be forced to not talk to one another or interact with each other, starved or force-fed, and deprived of sleep, showers, and basic hygiene.” In many cases. former students would explain how they were “forced to lie to school officials, who would abuse them until they “confessed” to alcohol or drug abuse, or other illicit behavior.”
Finlinson has continuously denied the allegations and pointed to the lack of criminal charges as validation.
Why was Ivy Ridge shut down?
The main catalyst for the downfall of the hell house would be a riot in May of 2005 that resulted in many students escaping the facility, leading the police to become involved and make various arrests. By August of the same year, Ivy Ridge was ordered to pay $250,000 to the New York State Attorney General for civil penalties.
The authorities, now looking more closely at the situation, would stop the school advertising as an accredited institution, and prohibit them from issuing high school diplomas. Enrolments would start to dry up, as people started to realize the terrible conditions and the way the school would try to retain the students as long as possible, as a way to get more money from parents.
It would not be long, until the school closed for good, with an announcement in March 2009 that it was closing for restructuring. It would never re-open.
Who directed The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping?
According to IMDb, Katherine Kubler directed and executive produced the Netflix original documentary series The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping with Academy Award-winning production company Fishbowl Films. She is also the owner and executive creative director of Tiny Dino, an award-winning creative agency based in Los Angeles. She develops film and television projects through her production company, Omnivision.
Katherine Kubler spent 15 months in the Ivy Ridge program after being sent away at 16 years old.
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