DUBLIN, CA – The federal Bureau of Prisons agreed to an unprecedented settlement over widespread reports of staff-on-inmate sexual abuse at the now-disbanded Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Dublin.
The settlement, which includes court-appointed surveillance and a public apology for misconduct, is a landmark move toward curbing systematic misconduct in the federal prison system, Associated Press reported.
The proposed consent decree calls for BOP Director Colette Peters to apologize to the victims, and the agreement, subject to court review, requires at least two years of surveillance by a court-appointed watchdog who will be granted access to staff, prisoners and records, said AP.
Monthly public reports will be issued to address everything from misconduct by staff to medical treatment, retaliation against inmates and early release regulations, added Associated Press.
The settlement also offers remedies for retaliation, including the prohibition of solitary confinement for minor offenses and reviewing disciplinary reports that may have been used to silence victims, Associated Press reported.
Advocates, including Emily Shapiro of the California Coalition for Women Prisoners, praised the settlement as a historic victory but emphasized that the fight for systemic reform is far from over.
“We will ensure this agreement is fully implemented and continue to demand bold changes across the prison system,” Shapiro said, according to Associated Press.
The lawsuit, filed last year in federal court in Oakland, stems from multiple allegations of sexual abuse by FCI Dublin employees, including a former warden who has since been convicted. Known among inmates and staff as the “rape club,” the facility became a focal point for broader scrutiny of the Bureau of Prisons, stated Associated Press.
The agreement also guarantees that eligible plaintiffs will be given priority for early release or halfway house placement regardless of immigration status. They will also restore the early release credits to prisoners, said AP.
The policies directly apply to nearly 500 inmates who were moved following the closure of FCI Dublin, though supporters say that the changes will help thousands more women held in federal institutions across the U.S., according to Associated Press.
Plaintiffs’ attorney Amaris Montes said FCI Dublin’s situation mirrors a systemic failure at the Bureau of Prisons. This is backed up by numerous reports of abuse at other facilities, and further proves that reform is in order, said an AP report.
The report exposed a culture of abuse and cover-ups at FCI Dublin, which led to congressional investigations and promise of changes from the Bureau of Prisons. Systemic change has been slow in spite of these assurances, as seen in FCI Dublin’s recent permanent closure, Associated Press reported.
In 2021, eight employees at FCI Dublin—including the warden and pastor—were charged with sexually abusing prisoners; five pleaded guilty and two were convicted in court. The case and closure of the facility have raised awareness of imprisoned women and issues in the federal prison system as a whole, Associated Press said.
Plaintiffs and advocates expect this settlement to encourage broad changes in the Bureau of Prisons.
“This settlement is welcome but we need systemic reforms to keep people in jail safe,” plaintiff Griselda Muniz told Associated Press, adding, “The case highlights the thorny issue of justice, accountability and human rights in prison settings.”
