LOS ANGELES, CA — The U.S. Department of Justice announced it has found reasonable cause to believe California prison officials are violating the U.S. Constitution by failing to protect female inmates from staff sexual abuse and harassment.
The findings focus on two major state facilities: the Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla and the California Institution for Women in Chino, as well as the broader California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation system.
Federal investigators uncovered a longstanding pattern of staff sexual misconduct, inadequate safety safeguards, compromised confidential reporting channels, improper investigative procedures, and a lack of accountability, according to an Aug. 13 announcement from the DOJ.
According to the federal agency, these systemic failures violate prisoners' rights under the Eighth and 14th Amendments, while also failing to meet standards under the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act.
"Female prisoners have the constitutional right to be free from sexual assault and harassment by prison staff," said Harmeet K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. "The Department of Justice's investigation revealed that California's Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation knew of repeated incidents of sexual assault and harassment against female prisoners and failed to protect them."
Federal prosecutors called the findings unacceptable and urged swift state action to reform oversight protocols.
The DOJ said it has provided California officials with a list of required remedial measures. Key demands include expanded security camera coverage, enhanced confidential reporting channels, upgraded investigative protocols, improved staff monitoring, and full compliance with federal anti-rape standards.
The federal investigation was launched in September 2024 by the Civil Rights Division's Special Litigation Section alongside the U.S. Attorneys' Offices for the Eastern and Central Districts of California.
At the time, the DOJ said women had filed hundreds of private lawsuits alleging officer sexual abuse of inmates at Chino's Central California Women's Facility spanning a decade, ranging from allegations of inappropriate groping during searches and genital rubbing to forcible rape.
Similar allegations were reported in a civil lawsuit filed on behalf of 21 women incarcerated at the California Institution for Women, according to the DOJ.
Additional allegations include correctional staff seeking sexual favors in return for contraband and privileges, the DOJ reported.
State officials have 49 days to address the federal government's concerns. If California fails to take satisfactory action, the U.S. Attorney General may file a federal lawsuit under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act.
Authorities encourage anyone with relevant information regarding conditions at the facilities to contact the Justice Department at 888-392-9490 or by email at Community.CAWomensPrisons@usdoj.gov.
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