The Federal Bureau of Prisons announced the closure of a Northern California Women’s Facility, in the midst of improving conditions at the prison.
In a statement to the Associated Press, BOP Director Colette Peters said that despite the efforts toward addressing recruitment, staff misconduct, and aging infrastructure, the preeminent thing was to close the facility, according to the Associated Press.
An AP investigation uncovered a pattern of abuse as well as unfavorable conditions across decades. This shutdown acknowledges the BOP’s inability to improve the conditions within the prison environment, noted the article.
The Federal Correctional Institute is located in Dublin, Calif., 21 miles East of Oakland. It was one of the six prisons that house only incarcerated women. FCI Dublin housed 605 women, although they have since been transferred to other facilities.
Advocates suggested that the women be released due sexual abuse, hazardous conditions, and the lack of health care.
In August of 2023, eight women incarcerated at the prison filed a lawsuit against the BOP. The suit stated that BOP failed to stop the abuse and allowed the women to suffer retaliation for reporting abuse by having their property taken or being placed in solitary confinement, stated the AP.
Amaris Montes, an attorney who represents the women, stated the closure came as a shock.
“It’s a signal the prison knows they are not meeting constitutional standards to keep people safe from sexual assault and sexual harassment,” said Montes.
The attorney believes that the BOP is quick to shift accountability by transferring the women out to other places, instead of helping them with their needs.
She also added these women have mental health issues that need to be addressed, amongst other things.
At least eight staff members were charged with the sexual abuse of incarcerated women, and five correctional officers have pled guilty. Two officers, including Garcia, were found guilty during trial. One case is still pending.
California law states that sexual activity is illegal between staff and incarcerated persons.
Correctional staff has power over the women, therefore, an incarcerated person cannot give sexual consent.
Advocates think safety measures may be needed at other prisons where women are housed, according to the associated Press.
“The BOP is the defendant in the case. It’s not FCI Dublin,” Montes said. “And so we are in the mindset that this did not end our case — that they still have a responsibility to our clients to keep them safe,” Montes said.
