US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism, led colleagues in calling on the Federal Bureau of Prison’s (BOP) Director Colette Peters to take immediate action to ensure proper medical care and humane treatment for individuals remaining in custody at FCI Dublin and those currently being transferred. FCI Dublin is a low-security federal prison for female inmates in Dublin, California which has been plagued by the rampant sexual abuse of women in custody by prison guards. Booker stressed the importance of oversight and transparency in the closure process and requested prompt updates on the Bureau’s efforts to close the facility and transfer individuals in custody out of the facility.
“Since BOP announced the closure of FCI Dublin on Monday, April 15, and began to transfer the more than 600 individuals in custody out of the facility, concerned stakeholders and advocates have made alarming reports about the ensuing chaos. These reports include: unavailability of medical staff; inadequate-to-no medical attention, including for individuals expressing suicidal ideation; improper medical clearance prior to transport; lack of food and water for those remaining in the facility awaiting transfer; mistreatment, harassment, neglect, and abuse while in transit; and confiscation of personal property,” the lawmakers wrote.
“This reporting is appalling and even more concerning in light of the well-documented abuses that have taken place previously at FCI Dublin. Individuals in custody at FCI Dublin have long endured a toxic carceral culture marked by sexual assault, harassment, and medical neglect at the hands of BOP staff,” the lawmakers continued. “And now, while subjected to the deprivations and indignities of a flawed and rushed closure and transfer protocol, women in custody are reporting hostility and retaliation from BOP employees who blame them for the facility’s closure. This is unacceptable.”
The Senators vowed to exercise the oversight authority of the Judiciary Committee and the Judiciary Subcommittee on Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism to monitor the closure of FCI Dublin and seek details from BOP on their closure plans, including guidance for staff to ensure the safe transfer of individuals to other facilities.
“Given the exigency of this unfolding crisis, we request immediate action and an update today on efforts the Bureau is taking to ensure that those within the custody of BOP affected by the closure of FCI Dublin are afforded the care, dignity, and respect that they are entitled to,” the lawmakers concluded.
The letter is cosigned by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), and Laphonza Butler (D-CA).
To read the full text of the letter, click here.
