OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — A special warden will be appointed to oversee a troubled federal women's prison in California known for rampant sexual abuse of inmates, a judge ordered Friday. This is the first time the Federal Bureau of Prisons has been subject to such an action. Oversight.
a 2021 AP research The discovery of a culture of abuse and cover-up at a federal correctional facility in Dublin has led to increased scrutiny from Congress and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The low-security prison and an adjacent minimum-security satellite camp, located about 21 miles (34 kilometers) east of Oakland, house more than 600 inmates.
In her order, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers called the prison a “dysfunctional mess.” She did not name anyone to be special master, but she wrote that the court would soon appoint someone.
“This situation is no longer acceptable. This facility is in a condition that requires urgent improvement,” she wrote, adding that the Bureau of Prisons “has been fully aware of the situation for years and yet has continued to “This is a slow process that deliberately ignores the constitutional rights of people,” he added. The repeated inability of BOP leaders to grasp and address the situation skews imprudence. ”
The order is part of Eight inmates filed a federal lawsuit in August. and the advocacy group California Coalition for Women Prisoners. Despite the indictment of the former warden and several former police officers, they claim the sexual abuse and exploitation has not stopped.
Emily Shapiro, a member of the California Women's Prisoners Coalition, said in a statement: “This unprecedented decision on the need for supervision is an unprecedented decision by courageous inmates, communities, and dedicated lawyers who have come together to support the federal government and the Bureau of Prisons. “It shows that impunity can be challenged.” Friday.
The Bureau of Prisons declined to comment on the appointment of a special chief.
FCI Dublin's sexual abuse scandal is one of many problems plaguing the agency, which is also plagued by rampant problems. Shortage of manpowersuicide and security breaches.
At least eight FCI Dublin employees have been charged with inmate sexual abuse since 2021. Five people pleaded guilty. The two were found guilty at trial. Another case is also pending. Approximately 50 civil rights lawsuits against FCI Dublin employees are also ongoing.
“In issuing this extraordinary ruling, the court is building on the BOP's repeated failures to ensure that this facility's extraordinary history is never repeated,” Rogers wrote.
All sexual activity between prison staff and inmates is illegal. Prison officials have a great deal of power over inmates, controlling every aspect of their lives from mealtimes to turning off the lights, and there is no scenario where inmates would consent.
Mr. Rogers made an unannounced visit to the prison on February 14 and toured the facility and satellite camp for nine hours. She spoke to at least 100 inmates as well as staff.
Many inmates told her they were not afraid of sexual misconduct, and when asked if sexual misconduct was still prevalent in prisons, she answered “no,” Rogers wrote. Still, the plaintiffs in the August lawsuit “presented instances of sexual misconduct that occurred in November 2023.”
The judge did not find there was a “sexualized environment” in the prison, as alleged in the complaint, but wrote that he did not believe sexual misconduct had been eradicated at FCI Dublin.
“The truth lies somewhere in between. Allegations of sexual misconduct persist, but it would be a stretch to characterize them as widespread,” she wrote. “However, as the court found here, the inability to promptly investigate remaining allegations and the ongoing retaliation against inmates who report wrongdoing make it difficult for the BOP to maintain integrity and trust. They have lost the ability to manage themselves.”
Friday's special master appointment is FBI searched the prison As part of a years-long ongoing investigation. The current warden was also fired following new allegations that staff retaliated against inmates who testified against the prison, according to government court documents filed Monday.
Despite recent attempts at reform, the prison “does not seem to be leaving behind the suspicion that it is the system itself that is being abused, not the incarcerated women,” Rogers wrote. .
