Oregon Youth Authority

Oregon Youth Authority Oregon Youth Authority is the state's juvenile justice agency OYA serves the state's most delinquent youth age 12 through 24 who commit crimes prior to age 18.

The Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) works to protect the public and reduce crime by holding youth accountable and providing them with the education, guidance, and support they need to be crime-free and productive members of their communities.

Once again, our partnership with Capaces Leadership Institute's The Anahuac Program has filled MacLaren's garden. Corn, ...
06/04/2026

Once again, our partnership with Capaces Leadership Institute's The Anahuac Program has filled MacLaren's garden. Corn, bean, tomato, and other plants will produce food in just a few short months.

Last week, Anahuac's Javier Lara showed youth how to w**d and till the soil to set their young plants up for success.

Follow along this summer as the plants grow, the youth harvest the food, and as they work with Anahuac to prepare delicious meals.

In honor of the Portland Rose Festival, enjoy these photos of the memorial rose garden in front of MacLaren's admin buil...
06/02/2026

In honor of the Portland Rose Festival, enjoy these photos of the memorial rose garden in front of MacLaren's admin building.

Each has been planted to honor a staff member who has passed away while working for OYA. Loving tended, they return every year to remind youth and staff about the public service of those who've come before.

It's graduation season across Oregon high schools, including the eight high schools that serve youth in OYA's nine close...
05/31/2026

It's graduation season across Oregon high schools, including the eight high schools that serve youth in OYA's nine close custody facilities.

Last week, future graduates of MacLaren's Lord High School took graduation photos to mark the occasion. Willamette Education Service District staff member Rachel Perine coordinates photos, and she takes time to learn about each youth's interests -- for example, playing chess -- and to incorporate those into the photoshoots.

Scenes from a recent art group at MacLaren. Interested in volunteering to lead such a group? Email OYAVolunteers@oya.ore...
05/29/2026

Scenes from a recent art group at MacLaren. Interested in volunteering to lead such a group? Email [email protected]

May is Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander month ( ), and OYA staff have tried to create meaningful opportun...
05/27/2026

May is Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander month ( ), and OYA staff have tried to create meaningful opportunities to learn, reflect, and connect.

Among other activities, youth in facilities are screening Remathau: People of the Ocean (Nia Tero). The film follows a Micronesian marine biologist navigating belonging, representation, and cultural connection. In group discussions, youth have been able to reflect on themes from the film, and to submit questions to the film’s director, Daniel Lin, who has offered to record responses.

AANHPI communities represent a vast and vibrant part of our global and local community. We're honored to join others in recognizing the month.

OYA joins many in celebrating month. OYA foster families create safe, loving, supportive homes where youth continue th...
05/25/2026

OYA joins many in celebrating month. OYA foster families create safe, loving, supportive homes where youth continue their reformation work.

Foster youth are on probation or parole, and may carry histories of trauma, instability, and displacement. There may be consequential reasons they cannot live with their family or in their home community. Some may have been part of the Oregon Department of Human Services foster care system (which is completely separate from OYA’s foster care system).

Whatever their background, "When you come to us," says OYA foster parent Maria Mihm, "you’re ours...You’re going to be included in whatever we do.”

Thank you, OYA foster families, for all you do!

One week ago, six OYA youth graduated from high school at . Their accomplishment was celebrated by roughly 50 people: ot...
05/22/2026

One week ago, six OYA youth graduated from high school at . Their accomplishment was celebrated by roughly 50 people: other youth, family, educators, parole officers, staff from OYA’s Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations, and more (including J Bar J resident cat, Heavy D / Christopher Columbus).

One youth wrote and performed a song that included these lyrics:

Jail is something that can teach you,
that if you go through it, you can change,
and a new life, you can start,
to be able to help all people,
this is my story, and my story will be,
that what happened, I will not forget,
that what happens, I will not go through again,
because I already changed...

Congratulations, graduates!

Big news in Burns! The staff at Eastern Oregon Youth Correctional Facility has won Center for Improving Youth Justice's ...
05/21/2026

Big news in Burns! The staff at Eastern Oregon Youth Correctional Facility has won Center for Improving Youth Justice's 2026 Steps for Real Second Chances Challenge.

Eastern has competed each of the challenge's four years, and this year logged an incredible 6,316,459 steps throughout April. They also raised the most donations -- the third time they've topped the donor leaderboard. (It's also their second time winning the step challenge.)

Congratulations, Team Eastern!

Talent Maker City works with eight Rogue Valley youth each quarter on different activities such as robotics, rockets, sc...
05/19/2026

Talent Maker City works with eight Rogue Valley youth each quarter on different activities such as robotics, rockets, screen printing, gardening, and art. In the last two quarters, the students made a mosaic that will be framed and then hung in the school.

Grateful for our amazing educational partners at New Bridge High School (Grants Pass School District 7) for facilitating this opportunity!

In 2025, 34 volunteers provided over 800 hours of mentorship, education, and/or religious and cultural support to youth ...
05/17/2026

In 2025, 34 volunteers provided over 800 hours of mentorship, education, and/or religious and cultural support to youth at MacLaren.

That momentum has continued into 2026, with 27 volunteers already contributing 351 hours in the year’s first quarter. These individuals also donate thousands of dollars in in-kind contributions: food and drink, materials, gas mileage, and more.

Read why three religious volunteers keep coming back; link in the comments.

To join them, email [email protected]

Address

530 Center Street NE, Ste 500
Salem, OR
97301

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+15033737205

Website

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