Justice Department Finds California Women’s Prisons Violate the Constitution by Failing to Protect Female Prisoners from Sexual Abuse by Staff
The U.S. Department of Justice found California’s women’s prisons violate constitutional rights by failing to protect inmates from staff sexual abuse, citing systemic failures and inadequate safeguards.
The Justice Department determined that the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF), and California Institution for Women (CIW) have engaged in a sustained pattern of staff sexual misconduct, inadequate safeguards, and improper investigations. Investigators found failures in confidential reporting, insufficient accountability, and systemic deficiencies that violate prisoners’ rights under the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments. The report also highlights CDCR’s failure to effectively implement the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA).
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon stated that female prisoners have a constitutional right to be free from sexual assault by staff, and the investigation revealed California’s deliberate indifference to these abuses. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli emphasized that California has a legal and moral duty to protect prisoners in its custody, calling the findings unacceptable and urging systemic change to address persistent failures.
U.S. Attorney Eric Grant underscored the importance of robust enforcement of federal civil rights laws, noting that the pattern described aligns with the intent of the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA) and PREA. The Justice Department has provided California with a 49-day deadline to implement minimum remedial measures, including expanded camera coverage, enhanced reporting channels, and improved staff training.
If California does not address the concerns within the specified timeframe, the Attorney General may initiate litigation under CRIPA. The Department expressed willingness to work cooperatively with state officials to ensure compliance. Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact the DOJ via phone or email for further details or to report concerns.