The federal Bureau of Prisons announced that it will be closing the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Dublin in California, known as the “rape club”, due to ongoing issues despite efforts to reform the facility. The decision to close the facility came after a federal judge appointed a special master to oversee the prison just 10 days before the closure announcement. FCI Dublin, located east of Oakland, currently houses 605 prisoners, and all inmates will be transferred to other facilities with no job losses for employees.
Advocates have been calling for the release of prisoners from FCI Dublin due to reports of sexual abuse, hazardous living conditions, and inadequate healthcare. Last August, eight prisoners sued the Bureau of Prisons, alleging failure to address sexual abuse and retaliation against those who reported incidents. The sudden decision to close the facility came as a shock to advocates, who see it as an acknowledgment that the prison is not meeting constitutional standards to keep people safe from abuse and harassment.
The FBI recently conducted a search of FCI Dublin, leading to another leadership shakeup within the Bureau of Prisons after a warden was accused of retaliating against an incarcerated whistleblower. An AP investigation in 2021 uncovered a culture of abuse and cover-ups at the prison, resulting in increased scrutiny from Congress and promises of reform from the Bureau of Prisons. Since 2021, at least eight employees at FCI Dublin have been charged with sexually abusing prisoners, with five pleading guilty and two being convicted at trial.
Concerns about safety at other women’s prisons have been raised by prisoner advocates following FCI Dublin’s closure. The civil litigation against the Bureau of Prisons will continue despite the prison’s imminent closure, as the agency remains the defendant in the case. Advocates emphasize the need to ensure the safety of incarcerated individuals, particularly those with physical and mental health issues that require attention. The closure of FCI Dublin marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to address misconduct and abuse within the federal prison system.
