Investigations

Reckless Ben recounts escape from Provo Canyon School amid concerns of rebranding

In a video posted Aug. 17, 2026, Reckless Ben shared his escape story from Provo Canyon School and expressed concerns about the institution's potential rebranding.

In a video posted Aug. 17, 2026, YouTuber Reckless Ben shared his experience of escaping from Provo Canyon School, a facility recently closed amid allegations of abuse. Ben expressed concerns that the institution might rebrand and reopen under a new name to avoid accountability.

Ben and his collaborator Sheldon initially anticipated a long journey to expose the school's practices, but the school unexpectedly shut down. Ben voiced his worry that the closure might be a temporary measure, as suggested by a fan named Jordan, who said, "What these places do is they'll have some sort of controversy happen. They will shut down the program and then they will open up under a new rebranded program."

Jordan's insights into the facility's potential rebranding strategy fueled Ben's apprehension. He stated, "I am a little worried that they just closed down because they're in hot water right now and then they're going to rebrand and reopen as a new facility."

Ben recounted his escape from Provo Canyon School, describing the harsh conditions he endured, including freezing temperatures and vomiting due to the cold. He detailed how Sheldon picked him up after his escape, and they returned to their Airbnb.

During his time at the school, Ben was unable to film much due to the lack of a camera, but he shared his experiences in a candid behind-the-scenes moment. He described being placed in solitary confinement, referred to as 'the gulag,' for 30 hours, which he found extremely boring and frustrating.

Ben and Sheldon discussed how they could have smuggled a camera into the facility using a gift basket that was not inspected. Ben also shared a clever tactic he used to bypass a pocket check by wearing two pairs of pants, allowing him to hide items in the pockets of the inner pair.

Ben described the difficulty of escaping the facility, which involved climbing a mesh-covered fence and jumping 15 feet down. As a rock climber, he found it manageable, but acknowledged that it would be challenging for others.

He shared his frustration with the staff's power trips, including being denied access to the bathroom for 17 hours. Ben recounted how staff members would not allow students to speak to each other, further isolating them.

Ben expressed relief at having escaped but remained concerned about the potential for the school to rebrand and reopen. He noted that his investigation would continue if this occurred, as he is committed to exposing the truth.

The closure of Provo Canyon School follows a series of lawsuits and regulatory actions. Paris Hilton and others have alleged abuse at the school, and in June, two families filed suit against the institution.

In July, the Utah Department of Health and Human Services revoked the licenses for both the Springville and Provo campuses, citing failures to protect clients and unnecessary restraints. The Provo campus was ordered to cease operations by Aug. 16.

As of now, neither Provo Canyon School nor its parent company, Universal Health Services, has commented on the closure or the allegations. Ben's investigation continues to shed light on the practices within the facility, and he remains vigilant in his efforts to ensure accountability.

Source video: Provo Canyon shut down