Oregon Lawmakers to Conduct Accountability Hearings Amidst OYA Scandal
SALEM, Ore. — In a significant response to a recent sexual abuse scandal involving the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA), Oregon lawmakers are set to conduct a series of accountability hearings. This decision comes on the heels of a lawsuit filed by lawyers representing ten men, who claim they were sexually abused while in the custody of the OYA at the MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility in Woodburn. The lawsuit seeks an immense $51 million in damages.
Governor Tina Kotek has confirmed the dismissal of OYA Director Joe O’Leary, citing a concerning backlog of abuse reports within the agency. "It’s really important to me that we get through the backlog, put better systems in place," Kotek stated. She emphasized the need for increased oversight and transparency in the system, including the potential hiring of a youth advocate to support families and ensure the safety of youth within correctional facilities.
As the OYA begins to present its budget to lawmakers, Republican legislators assert that addressing accountability should take precedence over budget discussions. They emphasize that the allegations of abuse necessitate urgent action and systemic change within the OYA.
Specific hearing dates have yet to be announced, but the investigations aim to shed light on the troubling issues raised by the lawsuits and enhance the safety and wellbeing of youth in Oregon’s correctional facilities. The upcoming hearings mark a crucial step towards transparency and reform in a system that has faced mounting scrutiny over the treatment of its vulnerable population.
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