NEW YORK — The federal government is set to pay approximately $116 million to settle lawsuits filed by over 100 women who allege they suffered abuse and mistreatment at a now-closed federal prison in California, which had gained notoriety for rampant sexual misconduct among staff, earning the grim moniker “rape club.”
On Tuesday, the Justice Department confirmed that it will provide around $1.1 million on average to each of the 103 women who took legal action against the Bureau of Prisons for the abuses they experienced at the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, California.
This announcement coincided with a federal judge granting preliminary approval for a separate class-action lawsuit settlement, wherein the Bureau of Prisons is required to permit a court-appointed monitor to oversee some facilities, alongside a public acknowledgment of the abuse that occurred at FCI Dublin.
Aimee Chavira, one of the plaintiffs and a former inmate, voiced her feelings about the settlement, stating, “We were sentenced to prison, we were not sentenced to be assaulted and abused.” She also expressed hopes that this settlement would aid survivors on their path to recovery, though she emphasized that financial compensation cannot undo the traumas inflicted by the Bureau of Prisons or restore families torn apart by deportations.
The Bureau of Prisons remarked on the settlements and reaffirmed its strong opposition to any sexual abuse, highlighting that it prioritizes the safety of both inmates under its care and its staff.
These settlements represent an initial batch of lawsuits seeking restitution following the imprisonments of former warden Ray Garcia and others connected with FCI Dublin, found guilty of sexually abusing inmates. There remain additional lawsuits that are still pending resolution.
The amounts specified in these settlements were determined through an extensive evaluation process conducted with each plaintiff by a third-party organization.
Investigations have uncovered a troubling environment of abuse and cover-ups that persisted at FCI Dublin for many years. This prompted increased congressional scrutiny and commitments from the Bureau of Prisons to enact necessary reforms.
The complaints highlight a “pervasive culture of sexual misconduct and retaliation,” accusing the Bureau of Prisons of systematically disregarding clear warning signs and abuse claims at this low-security facility located about 21 miles east of Oakland.
Various advocacy groups, including the California Coalition for Women Prisoners and the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund, assisted the women in filing their lawsuits.
One of the plaintiffs, a transgender former inmate, accuses Garcia of sexual assault and coercive behavior, detailing incidents where Garcia allegedly provided drugs to silence her. Another plaintiff recounted her experiences with a supervisor who forced her into sexual encounters and continued harassment after her release.
Similar accusations involved a safety administrator who reportedly trapped a plaintiff in his office and sexually assaulted her while she was told there was little recourse if there was no camera footage.
Since 2021, various employees from FCI Dublin have faced charges for sexual misconduct against inmates, with several pleading guilty or being convicted. Garcia is currently serving a 70-month sentence for abusing multiple inmates, while others involved have received sentences or are facing ongoing legal proceedings.
Some women have also reported continuing patterns of abuse at other facilities, revealing a larger issue of misconduct within the Bureau of Prisons, where numerous staff members across different institutions have faced similar legal consequences for their actions.
Deborah Golden, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs, stressed that the overall environment at FCI Dublin was one where survival was precarious, asserting that even those who were not directly assaulted lived in constant fear of the possibility.
She labeled the ongoing trauma experienced by those victimized at FCI Dublin as indicative of the larger systemic failures within the prison system to address its longstanding abuse issues. Golden urged that these settlements should serve as a critical warning for lawmakers and government officials to ensure such violations are not repeated.
In light of these revelations, President Joe Biden recently enacted legislation aimed at enhancing oversight of the Bureau of Prisons, following widespread acknowledgment of its deficiencies.
The reforms proposed in the class-action lawsuit settlement include oversight by an appointed monitor to evaluate the care of approximately 500 ex-Dublin inmates currently held across various federal facilities in the country. Additionally, Bureau of Prisons director Colette Peters is expected to formally recognize and apologize to the victims involved in the FCI Dublin abuse case as part of the settlement.
Following an extensive security review, the Bureau of Prisons announced the permanent closure of FCI Dublin due to sustainability concerns.
According to a statement from the Bureau, the agreement to settle the class-action suit does not directly correlate with the decision to close the facility.