9:45 p.m.
STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Multnomah County Juvenile Services Division investigating disturbance at detention center
PORTLAND, Ore. — The Multnomah County Juvenile Detention Center was placed on secure lockdown at around 7:00p.m. on Wednesday, April 1 after a disturbance inside a detention unit.
Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies and command staff arrived at the detention center within minutes and were able to quickly defuse the situation with verbal commands. There are no reported injuries to any youth, staff or deputies at this time.
The Department of Community Justice — which includes the County's Juvenile Service Division — is working with the Sheriff’s Office to learn what happened as quickly as possible.
“The health and safety of the youth in custody and of our staff is our highest priority,’’ said Department of Community Justice Director Erika Preuitt. “We are investigating the circumstances that led up to this incident.’’
The Department has maintained essential staff at the juvenile detention center, in accordance with national standards, throughout the COVID-19 outbreak and is working hard to balance the social and emotional needs of youth in our care during this extraordinary time.
Contact: Jessica Morkert-Shibley, 971-563-3735
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