LOS ANGELES — U.S. District Court Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has ordered close monitoring and care for over 600 female inmates who were transferred from the troubled Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Dublin in California. The decision to shut down FCI Dublin, where female inmates suffered sexual abuse by guards, was deemed “ill-conceived” by the judge. The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) announced the closure last month, despite ongoing efforts to reform the facility.
In her order issued on Wednesday, Judge Gonzalez Rogers expressed serious concerns about the well-being of the transferred women. She criticized the BOP’s operational plan for the closure, describing it as “ill-conceived” and full of holes. The judge demanded that the bureau provide weekly status updates on each transfer to the court, the special master, and the attorneys representing the incarcerated women who are suing the BOP.
Additionally, federal officials must submit monthly staffing reports for each prison where the transferred women are now housed. These reports should include details about the mental and medical health care provided to the inmates. The judge’s order comes after members of the Senate Judiciary Committee raised concerns about the chaotic transfer process, alleging mistreatment, neglect, and abuse during transit.
Judge Gonzalez Rogers emphasized that the BOP ignored operational issues, including the proper handling of inmates’ property. The BOP declined to comment on matters pending before the court but reiterated that the closure plan was carefully considered and executed with attention to the unique needs of the transferred women.
In a separate motion, the BOP questioned the authority of the special master, which the judge denied. A hearing on this matter is scheduled for May 16.
The closure of FCI Dublin follows an Associated Press investigation in 2021 that exposed a culture of abuse and mismanagement at the prison, spanning several years. Despite promises to improve the environment, the decision to shut down the facility signifies an acknowledgment that previous reform efforts have failed.
