Virtual Town Hall Updating FCI-Dublin Abuse Survivors Lawsuit
Federal Bureau of Prisons ordered FCI Dublin closed after attempts to "reform" ongoing sexual, physical and psychological abuse of incarcerated women at the hands of staff.
In 1995, three women incarcerated at FCI Dublin were sexually assaulted after guards let incarcerated men into their cells to rape them. These women filed a civil rights lawsuit against the prison, and won a large settlement in 1998.
Over the past several years, people incarcerated at FCI Dublin started speaking out about ongoing sexual, physical, and psychological abuse by prison staff. FCI Dublin became the center of a massive criminal investigation, Congressional inquiries, and national press. FBI agents seized computers and documents in an apparent escalation of a yearslong sexual abuse investigation, and eight Dublin officials were charged with sexually abusing people in their custody, including the Warden and the Chaplain.
Survivors’ stories make clear that staff specifically targeted noncitizens for abuse. Several women who were sexually assaulted by Dublin staff have already been deported and many others are currently facing deportation.
In April of this year, the Federal Bureau of Prisons announced it plans to close FCI-Dublin, which came to be known as the "rape club" despite "reform" attempts.
The Dublin Prison Solidarity Coalition advocates for incarcerated women who remain at FCI Dublin. The coalition states "chaos unfolded" at the facility since the announcement, "traumatizing incarcerated people who have already been subjected to immense harm by the BOP, including rampant staff sexual abuse, retaliation, and medical neglect." The group also claims that the BOP has proceeded with moving inmates despite an order from a federal judge that inmates need to be evaluated for release and be medically cleared before being transferred.
8 survivors of staff sexual abuse and retaliation at FCI Dublin and Drop LWOP Coalition member California Coalition for Women Prisoners (CCWP) have filed a lawsuit in Federal Court in Oakland. They are represented by Coalition member organizations Rights Behind Bars (RBB) and the California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice (CCIJ), in partnership with Rosen Bien Galvan & Grunfeld LLP (RBGG).
If you'd like to learn more about the Dublin Prison Solidarity Coalition, the ongoing process of the class action lawsuit against FCI Dublin, and other steps you can take to advocate for the protection and safety of incarcerated women who remain at FCI Dublin during this process, here are some virtual events you can attend:
- Court Support - Wednesday May 22nd 815am PT - Join the Coalition for the first virtual public hearing since the closure of FCI Dublin to learn about the status of the class action lawsuit.
- Virtual Community Town Hall - Thursday May 23rd 6pm PT - Catch up on the last few weeks of updates concerning the prison closure, transfers, advocacy, and organize for next steps.
- Sign the Petition to hold the Bureau of Prisons Accountable for FCI Dublin - BOP must be held accountable for these egregious violations of incarcerated people’s basic human rights, retaliating against people who spoke out, and trying to hide from oversight and trying to isolate people from their community support.
You can also watch an investigative report "Powerless in Prison: The shutdown of FCI Dublin" from KTVU about the FCI Dublin abuse, attempted coverups and retaliation, and hear from abuse survivors.
