The Federal Bureau of Prisons has filed a motion challenging the court-appointed special master’s authority to oversee the closure of the scandal-ridden FCI Dublin women’s prison. The agency’s resistance to the special master’s involvement comes amidst a week filled with allegations of misconduct within the prisons bureau.
U.S. District Court Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers issued an order mandating the prison system to involve the special master in the decision-making process for transferring inmates out of FCI Dublin. The judge’s order, which was issued shortly after the announcement of the prison’s closure, has been deemed by the bureau as a de facto requirement to keep the facility open. The bureau argues that complying with the special master’s demands could potentially delay medical care for inmates and jeopardize their safety and welfare.
This motion, filed on Tuesday and first reported by KTVU, is the latest development in an ongoing legal battle that lacks precedent, as a special master has never been appointed to oversee a federal prison before. The special master was appointed at the request of inmates’ attorneys, who claimed that the prison’s leadership had failed to address a pervasive culture of sexual abuse and retaliation among staff members. The facility has witnessed multiple changes in leadership, with at least five wardens in the past three years. Additionally, the FBI conducted a raid at the prison last month.
In March, Judge Gonzalez Rogers visited FCI Dublin for a day to assess the conditions and referred to the jail as “troubling.” The prison has faced numerous lawsuits, including a recent class-action suit filed in August, accusing prison managers of neglecting warning signs and providing inadequate mental and physical healthcare.
On Wednesday, Judge Gonzalez Rogers issued an order offering guidance on the closure of the facility and the transfer of inmates. The details of the instructions and the topics discussed during a private meeting held earlier that day remain sealed. It is unclear how many of the prisons bureau’s concerns were addressed in the latest order.
Oren Nimni, legal director for Rights Behind Bars, a nonprofit organization involved in the lawsuit against the federal agency, declined to comment on the prison system’s motion. Other attorneys representing the inmates were not immediately available for comment.
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I find it interesting that the Federal Bureau of Prisons is challenging the authority of the court-appointed special master to oversee the closure of FCI Dublin women's prison. Could you please provide more information on why they are challenging this authority?