Mar 31, 2026
Last year, over 300 abuse cases were documented by what is known as the “Restoration Team” in Holmes and Wayne County, Ohio.
Fewer than 10 of those cases ever made it to the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.
So what’s happening in between?
In this episode, Jasper brings you into the beginning of her investigation...
Mar 23, 2026
In this episode of The Plain People’s Podcast, we continue our look into Amish and Mennonite mental health systems—specifically, what are known as “the facilities,” or residential treatment centers for those struggling within plain communities.
This episode focuses on Hoffnung Heim, a facility widely known among...
Mar 15, 2026
For years, Mennonite and Amish women have quietly spoken about “the facilities” — residential programs where church members are sent for restoration, discipline, or mental health support.
But what exactly are these places?
In this episode of The Plain People's Podcast, Jasper Hoffman begins unpacking one of the...
Mar 8, 2026
For years, conversations about abuse in Amish and other plain communities began with denial. Survivors, advocates, and researchers were forced to answer the same basic question again and again: is abuse actually happening?
But something has shifted.
In this episode, Jasper shares recordings that began in August of 2023...
Mar 2, 2026
The Ruth Miller trial begins in Ohio this week, and I’m heading there for full bench trial coverage.
Before we get into courtroom testimony, this episode lays some groundwork — the work happening quietly inside Amish and Mennonite (Plain) communities, the barriers women face when trying to seek help, and the ongoing...