Sacramento Standard

The Justice Department announced today the initiation of an investigation into the conditions at two prison facilities operated by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR): Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla and the California Institution for Women in Chino.

Following an extensive review of publicly available information and data gathered from stakeholders, the department has found substantial justification to commence this investigation. The focus will be on whether CDCR adequately protects individuals incarcerated at these facilities from sexual abuse by correctional staff.

“No woman incarcerated in a jail or prison should be subjected to sexual abuse by prison staff who are constitutionally bound to protect them,” stated Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Every woman, including those in prison, retains basic civil and constitutional rights and should be treated with dignity and respect. California must ensure that the people it incarcerates are housed in conditions that protect them from sexual abuse. This investigation will determine whether California is meeting its constitutional obligations.”

“Concern about the physical safety of people inside California women’s prisons is not new,” said U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert for the Eastern District of California. “Media coverage, state audits, advocates’ efforts, and private litigation have sought to draw attention to an issue often unseen by many in the community. This investigation responds to those concerns and will aim to ensure that California is meeting its constitutional duty to incarcerated individuals.”

“Sexual abuse and misconduct will not be tolerated in prisons,” U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California said. “Together, with our colleagues in the Eastern District and the Civil Rights Division, my office will thoroughly investigate the conditions at Central California Women’s Facility and the California Institution for Women to determine whether California is meeting its constitutional obligations to incarcerated persons.”

In recent years, hundreds of private lawsuits have been filed alleging officer sexual abuse at Central California Women’s Facility over the past decade. Allegations range from inappropriate groping during searches and genital rubbing to forcible rape.

This week, a trial is scheduled in state court involving allegations against a former correctional officer at Central California Women’s Facility accused of widespread sexual assaults.

A civil lawsuit was also filed on behalf of 21 women incarcerated at the California Institution for Women, including allegations of forcible rape, penetration, groping, oral copulation, as well as threats of violence and punishment spanning from 2014 to 2020.

Reports indicate that correctional staff at both facilities sought sexual favors in exchange for contraband and privileges. The implicated officers include those responsible for handling complaints of sexual abuse made by incarcerated women.

In March, a working group established by advocacy groups and community-based organizations reported longstanding cultural deficiencies in addressing staff sexual abuse within these facilities to the California Legislature.

Justice Department officials have informed state authorities about this investigation but have not reached any conclusions regarding these allegations. The investigation will proceed under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), which authorizes investigations into systemic violations of individual rights within institutional settings such as prisons.

The Civil Rights Division’s Special Litigation Section will conduct this investigation jointly with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for both Eastern and Central Districts of California. Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact the department via phone at 1-888-392-9490 or email Community.CAWomensPrisons@usdoj.gov.

Further details about the Civil Rights Division's work concerning correctional facilities can be found on its website at www.justice.gov/crt/rights-persons-confined-jails-and-prisons.