In February, a significant security breach occurred at the MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility in Woodburn, Oregon, when three young inmates escaped. Recently, police have apprehended the third escapee, Angel Diaz-Barrera, a 19-year-old from Salem, who was arrested on September 4 following a warrant issued by the Oregon State Police. He had been serving a sentence for robbery and the unlawful use of a dangerous weapon in Marion County before his escape. Following his arrest, Diaz-Barrera was returned to custody under the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) and has been re-incarcerated at the MacLaren facility.
Prior to Diaz-Barrera’s capture, his brother, Julian Diaz-Navarro, also 19, was arrested in May and returned to MacLaren. Julian was subsequently transferred to Washington County Jail in June, where he remains as part of the ongoing repercussions of their actions. The third escapee, Xavier Swimm, aged 21, was apprehended in Idaho in May. Swimm faced legal repercussions in June after pleading guilty to assaulting a staff member at the Rogue Valley Youth Correctional Facility, resulting in a two-year prison sentence. He is currently serving his time at the Two Rivers Correctional Facility, with a potential release date set for 2026.
The Diaz brothers have further legal challenges ahead, having been indicted in connection to a stabbing incident that took place in Washington County in 2021. Court records suggest that both brothers are affiliated with a gang in Salem and were involved in an altercation with a rival gang member in a Tigard mall, in which they allegedly attacked the juvenile with a bat and a knife. These serious criminal backgrounds each contribute to the ongoing risks surrounding their behaviors and decisions post-release from juvenile facilities.
In response to the escape incident, the Oregon Youth Authority has undertaken various security enhancements at the MacLaren facility. Measures implemented include the installation of a new gate on the access road, the addition of a speed bump, and temporary fencing around the perimeter to deter any future escape attempts. Additionally, security protocols for visitors and staff have been intensified, with 24/7 contracted security surveillance established around the facility’s perimeter. Reinforcements have also been made to unit windows, which were the point of exit for the three escapees.
The OYA has continued to evaluate its security practices following these events, recognizing the need for more comprehensive safeguards. They have engaged a security consultant to analyze and recommend further changes that could improve the overall safety and security infrastructure within the youth correctional system. The broader implication of these changes speaks to the growing awareness of the vulnerabilities such facilities face and the importance of robust mechanisms to prevent similar incidents.
In summary, the arrest of Angel Diaz-Barrera marks a critical development in the aftermath of the February escape from MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility, illustrating the complex interplay of youth crime, gang involvement, and institutional security. The ongoing adjustments made by the OYA reflect a commitment to preventing such situations in the future while addressing the underlying issues associated with youth offending and gang association in Oregon communities. Isabel Funk, a journalist with the Statesman Journal, has been reporting on this unfolding story, emphasizing the significance of these developments in public safety and local justice.