Former Inmates Share Stories of Sexual Abuse at Dublin Federal Prison

Former inmates of the Dublin federal prison in Oakland gathered at an Oakland church on Saturday to share their harrowing stories of sexual abuse and discuss the courage it took to come forward. The victims, who had suffered in silence for months and sometimes years, revealed the extent of the “rape club” culture that permeated the all-female prison.

The Dublin Prison Solidarity Coalition, which filed a class action lawsuit against the prison, sponsored the gathering. More than two dozen former inmates, some traveling from as far as Seattle and Arizona, participated in a private healing circle before sharing their experiences publicly.

One survivor, Windy Panzo, bravely disclosed that she had been raped by Chaplain James Highhouse while serving a 25-year sentence on drug charges. Panzo described how she sought solace from the chaplain but instead became a victim of multiple assaults. She highlighted the powerlessness of the inmates, as even the prison staff members they turned to for help were involved in the abuse or complicit in covering it up.

Another survivor, Darlene Baker, recounted her traumatic experience of being sexually assaulted by a medical officer who locked the door to the medical office. Despite reporting the incident to a prison psychologist, Baker received no support or mental health services. When her abuser discovered her complaint, he retaliated by denying her necessary medication for two months.

The courage of these survivors, along with the efforts of legal advocates, relatives, and congressional representatives, led to the conviction of the warden, chaplain, and six other jailers. The prison’s closure in April was a direct result of the scandal, with ongoing investigations leading to 29 prison workers being placed on paid administrative leave.

Former Warden Ray J. Garcia, who had been promoted to the top position amidst the abuse, was sentenced to nearly six years in prison for sexually abusing three inmates. Chaplain James Highhouse received a seven-year sentence for sexually assaulting Windy Panzo. However, the medical officer who assaulted Darlene Baker has yet to face charges.

The closure of the prison prompted the Bureau of Prisons to petition for the dismissal of the class action lawsuit, claiming the issues raised were moot. However, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers denied their claim, and a trial is scheduled for next year.

The survivors, who are still awaiting justice for the remaining corrections officers on paid leave, are determined to continue speaking out to advocate for prison reform. Their goal is to give a voice to those still incarcerated and prevent further abuse while pushing for systemic changes within the federal Bureau of Prisons.