The Justice Department is now investigating allegations of rampant sexual abuse in two California women’s prisons, highlighting systemic failures that have allowed the abuse to persist.
At a Glance
- The Department of Justice is investigating allegations of sexual abuse at two California state-run women’s prisons.
- Investigated prisons include the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla and the California Institution for Women in Chino.
- The investigation was prompted by hundreds of private lawsuits and severe allegations against correctional officers.
- The probe aims to uncover systemic issues and enforce accountability within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Federal Investigation into California Women’s Prisons
The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an investigation into allegations of systematic sexual abuse by correctional officers at the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla and the California Institution for Women in Chino. This probe is part of a broader effort to address institutional abuse and protect the rights of incarcerated women.
Authorities have identified “significant justification” to investigate after reviewing publicly available information and data from advocates. The inquiry aims to identify systemic breakdowns in the prison system that have allowed such abuses to continue unchecked.
Extent of the Allegations
The allegations include rape, groping, forced oral copulation, and threats of violence. Staff members are accused of seeking sexual favors in exchange for contraband and privileges. Shockingly, some accused individuals are prison officials responsible for handling sexual abuse complaints.
The investigation tracks hundreds of private lawsuits filed over the past two years alleging severe sexual abuse, primarily targeting the Chowchilla facility. A separate lawsuit involving 21 women at the Chino facility alleges sexual abuse by correction officers spanning from 2014 to 2020.
Response from the Authorities
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which runs both facilities, stated it does not tolerate sexual abuse and welcomed the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphasized the importance of treating incarcerated women with dignity and respect.
“No woman incarcerated in a jail or prison should be subjected to sexual abuse by prison staff who are constitutionally bound to protect them,” said Kristen Clarke, assistant attorney general of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
The federal Bureau of Prisons has already announced the closure of a women’s prison in Northern California due to rampant sexual abuse by correctional officers, indicating the urgency and gravity of the situation.
Statutory and Legal Context
This investigation is conducted under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA). Assembly Bill 1455, passed over two and a half years ago, extended the statute of limitations for victims of sexual assault by police and correctional officers. Since the law took effect, around 600 lawsuits have been filed, mainly by inmates at the two facilities under investigation.
“The investigation is being conducted under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act,” according to the Justice Department.
The Justice Department’s investigation aims to determine if the state violates the constitution by failing to protect incarcerated individuals from staff sexual abuse. This move is seen as a critical step in addressing the widespread abuse reported in these facilities.
