Office of the Inspector General, Sexual Abuse in Detention Elimination Ombudsperson

Through the Office of the Sexual Abuse in Detention Elimination Ombudsperson, the Office of the Inspector General is responsible for overseeing what happens inside California state prisons and ensures the impartial resolution of inmate and ward sexual abuse complaints. The ombudsperson has the authority to inspect all California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) institutions and to interview all inmates and wards.

Write confidentially to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) at the address above and be sure to mark the envelope “Legal Mail.” The OIG will contact officials at your prison to determine if a report of the alleged abuse has been made and to determine the status of the institutional investigation. Please note that your identity–and that of the alleged perpetrator(s)–likely will become public once the OIG gets involved.

The OIG investigates reports of the mishandling of incidents of sexual abuse within correctional facilities and may be able to provide assistance to prisoners who have been victims of sexual abuse, including transfer to another facility in some cases.