Just Detention International Calls for Justice and Safety for Survivors at FCI Dublin

Just Detention International was disturbed by the Bureau of Prisons’ (BOP) abrupt announcement, on Monday, April 15, that it plans to close FCI Dublin, a federal women’s prison in California that has been plagued with sexual abuse. The decision came as a shock in light of a federal judge’s recent appointment of Special Master Wendy Still, who was preparing to begin oversight of the facility. This oversight would have been the first of its kind in the BOP’s history and would have been a welcome step toward holding BOP accountable for the culture of rampant sexual abuse that persisted at FCI Dublin.

Closing FCI Dublin without getting to the truth of how staff were able to get away with sexually abusing incarcerated people for so long will not stop sexual abuse in BOP facilities. Indeed, transferring FCI Dublin staff before the Special Master is able to do her job raises the possibility that staff who may have covered up or even committed sexual abuse themselves will simply be able to victimize other people at different BOP facilities. In addition, transferring the people who have been living at FCI Dublin to other facilities will not guarantee their safety — although it will disrupt their access to sexual abuse counseling services and support that they currently receive from community-based advocates, including Tri-Valley Haven. Transfers also tear incarcerated people away from crucial friendship and support networks they have built with each other.

“The people incarcerated at Dublin have endured abuse, retaliation, and neglect,” said Linda McFarlane, Executive Director of Just Detention International. “The harm that was inflicted can never be undone. It is time for the BOP to take accountability for the individuals who suffered while in their care.”

JDI joins the Dublin Prison Solidarity Coalition in demanding that no incarcerated person be transferred from FCI Dublin until everyone is medically cleared and evaluated for potential release, per Judge Gonzalez Rogers’ order. We also call on BOP to ensure that any survivors who do not qualify for release are transferred to institutions where they will be able to receive high quality care, including services for sexual abuse survivors provided by community-based advocates.

JDI stands in solidarity with the survivors at FCI Dublin and will continue to support their fight for dignity and justice.

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Just Detention International is a health and human rights organization that seeks to end sexual abuse in all forms of detention.