The women’s-only prison in California known as the “rape club” for rampant sexual abuse by staff is set to close, with all 605 inmates being transferred to other facilities. The closure comes after efforts to address issues within the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, including employee misconduct and an aging infrastructure, were deemed insufficient by Bureau of Prisons Director Colette Peters.
Despite the closure, all employees at the prison will keep their jobs. The decision to shut down the facility 20 miles east of Oakland was made due to the fact that it did not meet expected standards. The closure has been criticized by some, with calls to release the low-security inmates to their families or into supervised release programs rather than transferring them to other prisons across the country.
Concerns surrounding illegal behavior and misconduct by staff have plagued the prison in recent years, with instances of sexual abuse reported by inmates. A lawsuit filed by eight inmates last year alleged that the Bureau of Prisons failed to address the sexual abuse and harassment taking place at the facility, leading to the appointment of a special master to oversee the prison.
The problems at the prison have been further highlighted by the conviction of two staff members for sexually abusing inmates, as well as guilty pleas from five others. A former prison chaplain was also convicted of sexually assaulting a female inmate and sentenced to seven years in prison. The culture of misconduct at the prison has been condemned by a federal judge, who emphasized the severity of the situation.
The closure of the prison marks a significant step in addressing the systemic issues that have plagued the facility for years. While the decision to transfer the inmates to other prisons has been met with criticism, it is hoped that the move will help to protect the women from further abuse and ensure their safety. The appointment of a special master to oversee the prison and the prosecution of staff members involved in misconduct are important steps towards accountability and preventing future incidents of sexual abuse.
