DOJ Investigates Sexual Abuse at California Prisons

The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a civil rights investigation into allegations of widespread sexual abuse by correctional officers at the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla and the California Institution for Women in Chino. This investigation follows numerous lawsuits and reports from incarcerated women detailing instances of groping, inappropriate touching, and rape by prison staff. Over the past two years, hundreds of lawsuits have been filed against the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), with more than 30 current and former officers being named. Despite numerous complaints, disciplinary actions against the accused have been minimal. CDCR Secretary Jeff Macomber stated the department welcomes the federal inquiry, emphasizing their commitment to transparency and zero tolerance for sexual misconduct within the prison system. The investigation aims to determine whether CDCR is upholding its constitutional obligations to protect incarcerated women from such abuses.