Grand jury finds “cascading failures” put MacLaren youth, staff at risk

Youth in care of Oregon’s largest juvenile correctional facility are too often introduced into gangs, subjected to sexual assault and don’t receive adequate mental health treatment or rehabilitation while in custody, a Marion County grand jury found.

The grand jury finished its investigation into MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility last week and identified 25 concerns at the facility, including contraband weapons and drugs, staff training and decreasing compliance with facility rules. The lack of resources contributes…