In response to a 2021 Associated Press investigation that uncovered a culture of abuse and cover-ups at the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, a judge has appointed a special master to oversee the troubled federal women’s prison in California. This marks the first time the Bureau of Prisons has been subject to such oversight. The judge named Wendy Still, a veteran corrections and probation official, as the special master and instructed her to have full access to the prison, including all records and facilities.
The appointment of the special master comes as a result of a federal lawsuit filed by eight inmates and the California Coalition for Women Prisoners, alleging ongoing sexual abuse and exploitation at the prison despite past prosecutions of the former warden and several former officers. The Bureau of Prisons has been criticized for its slow response to addressing the issues at the prison, with the judge calling it a “dysfunctional mess” and the leadership’s disregard for inmates’ constitutional rights as straining credibility.
FCI Dublin has faced numerous problems in recent years, including multiple cases of staff sexually abusing inmates, rampant staffing shortages, suicides, and security breaches. The prison, which opened in 1974 and was converted to a women-only facility in 2012, has been the center of several high-profile cases, including housing actors involved in the Varsity Blues college admissions scandal. The judge’s decision to appoint a special master aims at preventing the repetition of the facility’s troubled history.
Despite the judge’s unannounced visit to the prison and conversations with inmates and staff, conflicting reports emerged regarding the prevalence of sexual misconduct at FCI Dublin. While many inmates denied fear of sexual misconduct, incidents of such behavior have been reported as recently as November 2023. The judge found that while the prison may not have a “sexualized environment,” there are ongoing concerns about the handling of allegations and the retaliation against inmates who report misconduct, leading to a loss of trust in the Bureau of Prisons.
The special master appointment comes shortly after an FBI search of the prison and the ousting of the current warden following new allegations of staff retaliation against an inmate who testified against the prison. Despite some recent reform attempts, the judge noted that the prison continues to struggle with a perception that it is the system, not the incarcerated women, that is being abused. The ongoing oversight and scrutiny of FCI Dublin aim to improve the conditions and ensure the protection of inmates’ rights moving forward.
