Rep. Wallan: Feds need to investigate Youth Authority

Representative Kim Wallan,

Representative Kim Wallan (R-Medford) is urging the U.S. Attorney to initiate a federal investigation into the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) following alarming allegations of widespread sexual abuse at the MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility.

In addition to the arrests and conviction of OYA employees for grooming and sexual abuse of incarcerated youth, recent reports reveal that a backlog of at least 3,000 complaints against OYA employees has been systemically ignored by agency personnel.

“The severity and extent of these allegations are deeply troubling,” said Rep. Wallan. “Firing one person at the top is not enough; it is imperative that we uncover the truth and ensure that such egregious violations of trust and safety are never repeated.”

The only substantive change that has been made at the department is the firing of Director Joe O’Leary. Weeks after revelations of the backlog of allegations, no additional steps have been taken to protect OYA youth from predators employed in the agency.

“The governor seems satisfied with making one leadership change at the agency, and the Department of Justice is apparently too overwhelmed with other pursuits to get involved. While I believe an audit by the Secretary of State will bring about change, that process could take up to two years. I don’t believe the minors in our state’s care can wait that long,” Wallan added.

“I will continue to push for our state to clear the backlog of complaints and follow through where state-level crimes have been committed. In the meantime, we must ensure vulnerable minors are not being further victimized by state employees. To that end, I will be sending a letter urging Acting U.S. Attorney for Oregon William Narus to launch an independent investigation to determine whether federal charges are also appropriate.” Wallan said. “Oregonians should be able to trust that our youth correctional facilities are places of rehabilitation, not environments where abuse is well known and ignored.”

Kim Wallan represents Oregon House District 6 in Medford and serves as the Vice-Chair of the House Committee on Judiciary.