OYA’s Gang Management Strategy

The Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) has developed a thoughtful and effective approach to managing youth gang involvement, focusing on evidence-based strategies like trauma-informed care, restorative justice, and mentorship programs. These approaches address the roots of gang affiliation while fostering resilience and independence among youth in custody.

Gang management is one of three aspects of OYA’s conflict resolution framework. The agency aims to equip youth with conflict resolution skills they can use to address issues with peers and staff, ultimately fostering a sense of justice and stronger community ties. Youth have shared that this approach works best when it focuses on the person, not the label. “Take away the [gang] titles and have them talk as people,” one youth explained. Another noted, “Knowing you have other options for dealing with conflicts” is critical to fostering a sense of safety. Raphi Miller, OYA’s Statewide Conflict Resolution Coordinator, agrees: “If they can’t resolve conflicts here, they won’t be safe in the community.”

OYA’s gang management framework relies on tools like the Risk and Needs Assessment to monitor gang involvement, track safety concerns, and guide treatment. The framework moves away from outdated practices like one-size-fits-all programs and vague blanket gang designations. “Labels don’t capture a youth’s progress or how deeply embedded they are in gang life,” Miller notes. “They can also lead to bias and overshadow the hard work youth do to change.” Youth echoed this perspective, saying they want staff to “get to know me without judgment.”

Youth engagement remains a cornerstone of OYA’s efforts, with programs like Power Source and vocational opportunities leading the way. The agency emphasizes mentorship with credible messengers who share lived experiences – who, according to one youth, have “been through the same thing and done something different.” “When someone with lived experience talks to these kids, it hits differently,” Miller says.

Events like career fairs at MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility and mentoring initiatives like Going Home II and Youth Advocate Programs provide pathways for youth to explore real-world opportunities and build skills for life after release. These efforts reduce gang embeddedness and, according to one youth, “give hope” for positive futures.

OYA is also committed to bolstering staff training and collaboration to strengthen its gang management strategy. Plans include developing training cohorts that incorporate individuals with lived experience and creating advanced modules on gang desistance and restorative justice. Collaborative forums such as “Collab Labs” provide spaces for staff to share insights and learn from one another about supporting gang-impacted youth, while the Gang Management Communication Network enhances coordination and safety measures throughout the agency. “We’re not just teaching rules,” Miller emphasizes. “We’re helping youth understand the ripple effect of their actions and repair harm in meaningful ways. It’s about relationships and respect, which can shift their perspective in powerful ways.” Youth see this strategy as empowering: “There’s a difference between surviving and living,” one reflected. “I want to know what my life can look like in 5 or 10 years and see real examples of people thriving.”