Justice Department Finds California Prisons Violating Female Prisoners' Rights: Action Required
The Justice Department has found that the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), the Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF), and the California Institution for Women (CIW) are violating the U.S. Constitution by failing to protect female prisoners from sexual abuse and harassment by staff. The investigation revealed systemic deficiencies that violate prisoners' rights under the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments, as well as a failure to implement the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). The Department of Justice is taking action to address these violations and ensure the safety of female prisoners in these facilities.
Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, Harmeet K. Dhillon, emphasized that female prisoners have the constitutional right to be free from sexual assault and harassment by prison staff. The investigation uncovered repeated incidents of sexual assault and harassment against female prisoners, which the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation failed to address. The Civil Rights Division, along with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Eastern and Central Districts of California, is committed to ending this abuse and holding responsible parties accountable.
The findings of the investigation are deemed unacceptable, and California is urged to take immediate action to address the systemic breakdowns that have allowed these conditions to persist. The Justice Department has outlined minimum remedial measures that California must implement to address the violations, including enhanced reporting channels, improved investigative protocols, and compliance with PREA standards. Failure to address these concerns within the specified timeframe may result in litigation under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act.
The Department is prepared to work collaboratively with California to ensure that the State takes the necessary steps to remedy the alleged violations. The investigation was initiated under CRIPA, which allows the Department to address patterns or practices of constitutional rights deprivation in correctional facilities. Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact the Department to contribute to the ongoing efforts to protect the rights of individuals confined in state-run correctional facilities.