Ignored Warnings, Unchecked Abuse: Prison Officials’ Role in the Crisis Facing Incarcerated Women
by Kellie Walters, JD, LLM, LSPC Staff Attorney
California’s criminal justice system is currently under intense scrutiny because of the treatment of incarcerated women, particularly the systemic sexual abuse by correctional staff. Recent lawsuits have revealed the urgent need for immediate action to ensure the safety and dignity of these individuals.
Systemic Sexual Abuse in Women’s Prisons
In January 2025, Gregory Rodriguez, a former correctional officer at the Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF), was convicted on 64 charges of sexual abuse involving 13 incarcerated women. Despite initial reports of his misconduct dating back to 2014, Rodriguez continued his predatory behavior for years, highlighting the persistent and systemic nature of these failures. Investigations revealed that the California Department of Corrections often ignored or mishandled the complaints, allowing abuse to persist unchecked.
The issue is not one of simple individual misconduct. In September 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a civil rights investigation into allegations of sexual abuse by staff at California’s women’s prisons, focusing on CCWF and the California Institution for Women (CIW). This probe aims to determine whether the state has adequately protected incarcerated women from sexual abuse by correctional employees.1
Healthcare and Medical Misconduct
In addition to abuse by correctional staff, incarcerated women have faced medical misconduct. A lawsuit filed in February 2025 alleges that Dr. Scott Lee, a gynecologist at CIW, sexually abused patients over several years. The complaint details instances of abusive exams, inappropriate comments, and coercive procedures, with prison officials reportedly aware of the misconduct yet failing to take action.2
Facility Closures and Reforms
In response to these systemic issues, the U.S. Bureau of Prisons (BOP) announced the permanent closure of the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Dublin in December 2024. The facility had been plagued by widespread staff sexual misconduct, leading to criminal convictions of several officers, including the former warden. This closure signifies a critical step toward addressing the pervasive culture of abuse within the system.3
However, the closure has led to concerns about the abrupt and potentially unsafe transfers of incarcerated women to other facilities. Advocates emphasize the need for innovative, safe, and humane relocations, as hasty transfers can exacerbate trauma and disrupt essential support systems. Ensuring these women have access to necessary resources and maintaining family connections during such transitions is not just important; it’s paramount.
Furthermore, the U.S. government agreed to pay the largest settlement in the agency’s history, almost $115 million, to over 100 women who reported abuse at FCI Dublin. This settlement includes provisions for ongoing monitoring and public acknowledgment of the abuse, aiming to provide some measure of justice to the survivors.4
One thing is clear: there can be no justice without systemic change. California must move beyond reactionary measures and enact fundamental, enforceable protections—including stronger whistleblower protections for incarcerated individuals, an independent oversight body with prosecutorial power, and immediate intervention in facilities with documented abuse.
CDCR’s inaction has already cost too many women their safety, dignity, and, in some cases, their lives. The question now is not whether reform is necessary—it is whether California will finally act before more lives are destroyed.
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1. https://apnews.com/article/federal-prisons-closing-ap-investigation-abuse-decay-c02c96b6f6a3c5535cc3e3025d5d2585
2. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/17/bureau-of-prisons-sexual-abuse-scandal
3. https://apnews.com/article/federal-prisons-closing-ap-investigation-abuse-decay-c02c96b6f6a3c5535cc3e3025d5d2585
4. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/17/bureau-of-prisons-sexual-abuse-scandal
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