Marion County Grand Jury Issues Findings For MacLaren Based On 2025 Inquiry
- 12/22/25
Salem, OR – December 22, 2025 – In June of this year, Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson convened a grand jury inquiry into the conditions and management of the Oregon Youth Authority’s MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility. This inquiry is authorized pursuant to Oregon Revised Statute 132.440. (see below for original release)
At the time, District Attorney Clarkson stated: “I have grown increasingly concerned regarding the safety of youth placed at MacLaren.” “Unfortunately, the more we learn regarding what occurred under OYA’s former leadership, the more that I believe that I should use every tool I have to ensure that both youth and the staff who serve them are safe.”
Today, the grand jury released its findings, substantiating the need for the inquiry and highlighting systemic challenges within the facility.
During the approximately six-month inquiry, the grand jury: held 13 sessions where they inquired into the conditions and management of MacLaren; heard over 40 hours of testimony from approximately 30 witnesses, which included OYA employees and management, as well as witnesses from Marion County Juvenile Department, juvenile prosecutors, juvenile justice experts, Oregon State Police, community partners, and others; considered hundreds of pages of documentary evidence; toured grounds and facilities at MacLaren on multiple occasions and the Marion County Juvenile Department one time.
The investigation uncovered several issues affecting the safety and well-being of youth and staff at MacLaren. The issues identified fell into the following broad categories: Identity; Staffing, Training and Retention; Youth Population and Behavioral Trends; Security and Control; Contraband and Facility Safety; Gang Activity; Mental Health and Treatment Gaps; Sexual Assault/Misconduct; Case Planning and Parole; Community Partner Impacts.
In addition to the findings and recommendations, the same grand jury issued 10 criminal indictments for behavior it considered while examining the backlog of cases and issues considered. These 10 cases added to the cases already pending from conduct at MacLaren.
“Youth being served at Oregon’s closed custody facilities deserve to have the opportunity for rehabilitation in a safe and stable environment. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a new chapter for MacLaren,” Clarkson stated. She added, “This is only a starting point and should serve as a catalyst for policy makers, state leaders, and experts to address these concerns and do better for both our youth and our communities.”
Chief Deputy District Attorney Brendan Murphy, who oversaw the grand jury proceedings, said, “The grand jury uncovered numerous areas for needed improvement at MacLaren.” He went on to say, “some of the issues they identified will need additional conversation and follow through, while others are common sense, reasonable reforms.”
“I would like to thank the seven Marion County jurors,” Clarkson continued. “These are seven individuals, chosen from our community by the court, who gave significant time and their best effort to help keep some of Oregon’s most vulnerable safe.”
The grand jury also provided recommendations to OYA leadership, legislators, and community partners for consideration to restore safety and public confidence in MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility. “The Marion County DA’s Office looks forward to ongoing conversation regarding how MacLaren can do better, but also for youth before, during, and after OYA custody,” Murphy said.
The Marion County Grand Jury’s 2025 report regarding MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility can be accessed here.
About Marion County District Attorney’s Office
The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for seeking justice through promoting accountability for criminal offenders; interpreting, enforcing, and executing law; responding to the concerns of victims and the public; and working cooperatively with members of the justice system.
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Original News Release:
News Release from Marion Co. Dist. Attorney's Office
Posted on FlashAlert: June 16th, 2025 4:32 PM
Today, Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson announced that she has convened a grand jury to inquire into the conditions and management of MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility, the Oregon Youth Authority’s (OYA) largest closed custody detention facility, which is located in Woodburn, Marion County, Oregon. This inquiry is authorized per Oregon Revised Statute 132.440.
“I have grown increasingly concerned regarding the safety of youth placed at MacLaren. Communities around this state rely on OYA to rehabilitate youth who have committed offenses that judges find justify detention. It goes without saying that those same communities as well as judges, prosecutors, youth counsel, and families expect OYA to prioritize safety in that facility. Unfortunately, the more we learn regarding what occurred under OYA’s former leadership, the more that I believe that I should use every tool I have to ensure that both youth and the staff who serve them are safe.”
Over the past 12 months, the Marion County District Attorney’s Office has received more than 100 investigations of potential criminal conduct, some dating back several years, occurring at MacLaren. That number does not include investigations sent to other DA offices1, nor does it include incidents that are merely administrative or incidents that did not rise to criminal investigatory levels. These investigations do, however, include escapes, contraband possession, physical assaults on both youth and staff, riots, and most concerning, sexual assault. Most of these investigations have been identified following the discovery of significant backlog in the Oregon Youth Authority’s Professional Standards Office. That backlog prompted action by the Governor and drew the attention of legislators who have held hearings to oversee OYA administration.
"I commend District Attorney Clarkson and Attorney General Rayfield for launching this joint inquiry. Maintaining the public’s trust in this state facility—and ensuring the safety and well-being of the youth it serves—are vital for a just and humane Oregon," said Senator Anthony Broadman, Co-Chair of the legislature's Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Public Safety. "We are eager to review the facts in their report this fall, and the committee will be ready to take appropriate action. We will not hesitate to implement reforms, ensure accountability, and make the changes necessary to protect those under the state's supervision,” continued Representative Paul Evans, Co-Chair of the legislature's Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Public Safety.
“My office doesn’t receive state funds to address criminal behavior in state-run institutions,” District Attorney Clarkson further stated. “While we are accustomed to working with the Oregon State Police to manage cases arising from the numerous correctional facilities within our jurisdiction, the sheer number and seriousness of these MacLaren investigations is almost overwhelming.”
Given this large volume of investigations combined with the statutory scope of the inquiry, DA Clarkson requested assistance from the Oregon Department of Justice. Attorney General Dan Rayfield agreed and has assigned a Senior Assistant Attorney General to support the effort.
Marion County Chief Deputy District Attorney Brendan Murphy, Senior DDA David Wilson, and Senior Assistant Attorney General Kurt Miller will oversee the proceedings. Chief DDA Murphy has extensive experience with juvenile justice law and policy, is a member of the Oregon Juvenile Justice Policy Commission and was previously a member of the Supreme Court’s Juvenile Justice Mental Health Task Force. He currently serves on OYA’s safety task force. Senior DDA Wilson has significant juvenile experience and oversees closed-custody prosecutions within the Marion County DAs Office. AAG Kurt Miller is a statewide expert on juvenile law, including waiver proceedings and jurisdictional authority. He has been specially deputized as a Marion County Deputy District Attorney for this purpose.
Consistent with all matters that come before a grand jury, these proceedings are confidential. As such, no further information will be released prior to the grand jury’s final report. The Marion County District Attorney’s Office expects that the report will be completed by the end of the year and will be publicly released at that time.
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