Marion County, Salem Leaders Decry Release of Dangerous State Hospital Patient

Officials warn of serious risks to public safety after man with history of arson, rape, and assault is released into Salem community.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Leaders in Marion County, Oregon and the city of Salem are sounding the alarm after a man with a long history of violent crimes, including arson, rape, and assault, was released from the Oregon State Hospital into a secure residential treatment facility in Salem. The officials say the release of Grant Brannaman, 42, presents "serious risks to community safety" and they have repeatedly warned the state against releasing him, especially into their community where he has no local ties.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing issues with Oregon's mental health system, including the lack of funding, staffing, and beds for inpatient behavioral health services. It also raises questions about the criteria used by the Psychiatric Security Review Board (PSRB) to determine when to release potentially dangerous individuals back into communities.

The details

Brannaman was placed under PSRB supervision in 2021 following convictions in Josephine County for arson, criminal mischief, and illegal weapons possession. Despite his history of violent crimes, including rape, assault, and weapons offenses in multiple counties, officials say he was never granted any lower level of supervision or conditional release during his time at the state hospital. The Marion County District Attorney's Office repeatedly requested that Brannaman not be released into their community, but he was ultimately placed in a secure residential treatment facility in Salem.

  • In 2021, Brannaman was convicted in Josephine County and placed under PSRB supervision.
  • On February 10, 2026, Brannaman's PSRB jurisdiction ended and he was released into a secure residential treatment facility in Salem.

The players

Grant Brannaman

A 42-year-old man with a history of arson, rape, assault, and weapons possession who was recently released from the Oregon State Hospital into a secure residential treatment facility in Salem.

Paige Clarkson

The Marion County District Attorney who warned that Brannaman's release presents "serious risks to community safety" and that the "broken nature of Oregon's mental health system has never been more evident".

Nick Hunter

The Marion County Sheriff who said he was "gravely concerned" about the decision to release Brannaman and that it represented a "serious failure in the mental health system and an unacceptable risk to public safety".

Trevor Womack

The Salem Police Chief who echoed concerns about the system's inability to prevent high-risk people from returning to neighborhoods and said the responsibility now is to ensure residents are fully informed.

Psychiatric Security Review Board (PSRB)

The state board that oversees the release of individuals found guilty except for insanity and placed under their jurisdiction.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Given that our concerns have been unheeded at the state level, we must now warn our community.”

— Paige Clarkson, Marion County District Attorney (Statesman Journal)

“Our responsibility now is to ensure residents are fully informed. We will be proactive in pushing this information out to community leaders, service partners, and the public to safeguard our city.”

— Trevor Womack, Salem Police Chief (Statesman Journal)

What’s next

Officials say they will continue to push for reforms to Oregon's mental health system and advocate for increased funding, staffing, and beds for inpatient behavioral health services to prevent dangerous individuals from being released into communities.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges facing Oregon's mental health system, including the release of potentially dangerous individuals back into communities despite repeated warnings from local officials. It underscores the need for systemic reforms to better protect public safety and provide appropriate treatment and supervision for those with severe mental health and criminal histories.