By the Democrat-Herald | Posted: Monday, December 22, 2008 12:00 am
Eight teenage girls staged a fake fight and then assaulted three men in a bold escape attempt early Sunday at the Oak Creek Youth Correctional Facility in Albany, authorities reported.
Three Albany police officers and three deputies from the Linn County Sheriff's Office restored order in about three minutes once they entered the compound, according to acting Cpl. Tim Sousa of the Albany Police Department.
Sousa said the juveniles were intent on escaping through the west gate until police arrived shortly after midnight. "They were at the gate," he said.
Two staff members were taken to Samaritan Albany General Hospital and a third sought medical attention at the end of his shift. All were treated and released.
Perrin Damon, a spokeswoman for the Oregon Youth Authority, said one victim, who had a head injury, needed "32 staples to stitch him up," Damon said.
The incident began when the girls, who live in dormitories, staged a fight to draw the attention of security. The girls, between 13 and 17, ambushed those who responded, clubbing them with homemade weapons, Damon said.
The escape ended at the central recreation yard, where the girls were thwarted by high fences. After initially refusing to return to their cells, the girls relented when more police arrived, Damon said.
Oak Creek opened at 4400 Lochner Road S.E. in Albany in 1997 and was shut down in 2003 to save money. Oregon Youth Authority reopened it for female offenders only in February this year.
Oak Creek is separated into three dormitory-like pods each with 25 beds. Damon said 19 girls were living in the dormitory Sunday. She said eight participated in the attempt and another was aware of the plot. Damon declined to release their names.
Female inmates at Oak Creek come from all over the state and most have been convicted of felonies pertaining to alcohol and drugs.
Oregon State Police detectives were investigating the incident Sunday afternoon.
Oak Creek officials did not return calls this morning.