Effective immediately, pending the completion of an investigation into issues being reviewed in Oregon Youth Authority’s (OYA) Professional Standards Office (PSO), Governor Tina Kotek announced today she is placing OYA Director Joe O’Leary on administrative leave. The Governor has appointed Jana McLellan, who currently serves as the interim deputy director, as acting director of the agency.

“Complaints that come to the PSO must be taken seriously and addressed expeditiously. A backlog is unacceptable,” Governor Kotek said. “Oregon youth in the state’s care rely on us to keep them safe and get this right.”

The PSO’s role within OYA is to identify and correct conditions that could endanger Oregon youth in Oregon’s correctional facilities. PSO administers the OYA Hotline and youth surveys, coordinates OYA’s complaint process, investigates allegations of staff misconduct, trains staff, provides reports, and ensures OYA's continued compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA).