ALBANY - Eight female juveniles caused a riot at the Oak Creek Youth Correctional Facility early Sunday morning, injuring three staff members with either heavy sticks or pipes, authorities said.

Three Albany police officers and three deputies from 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," Sousa said.

Two staff members were transported to Samaritan Albany General Hospital and a third sought medical attention at the end of his shift. All were treated and released.

The youth, who live in dormitories that accommodate 25, used homemade weapons to injure the staff members. They forced their way out of the locked living unit into a secure central recreation yard. The yard, similar to a courtyard, is bordered by a rectangle of buildings that are, in turn, surrounded by a fence, according to information provided by the Oregon Youth Authority.

At no time did they broach the facility perimeter or endanger the public.

Oak Creek staff called 911 and requested assistance.

The eight young women, with nowhere to go, refused to return to their living unit. The law enforcement officers helped OYA staff escort the youth to cells.

Because of their age and juvenile delinquency status, the youth involved will not be identified. Their ages range from 13 to 17.

OYA operates the Oak Creek Youth Correctional Facility, sharing the property with the Linn-Benton Detention Center, which was unaffected by the riot.

Oak Creek, on Lochner Road in south Albany, reopened last January.

Oak Creek was quiet Sunday, but some normal operations were expected to be suspended for the day to accommodate an investigation by the Oregon State Police and the Youth Authority.

Democrat-Herald