The federal Bureau of Prisons will face trial next year over allegations that it allowed guards at a now-closed prison in California to sexually abuse women who were incarcerated there, according to a judge’s order on Wednesday.
During the first public hearing since FCI Dublin closed last month, U.S. District Court Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers also directed an independent legal expert to continue managing the cases of around 600 women who were transferred out of the prison. Many of these women alleged mistreatment during the transfer process to other federal facilities.
Earlier this month, Judge Gonzalez Rogers expressed serious concerns about the well-being of the inmates following the decision to shut down the facility.
The judge scheduled a case management conference for September 9 and set the trial date for June 23, 2025.
The Federal Correctional Institution (Via Aaron Jones/Shutterstock)
Lawyers representing the women who reported the abuse stated they have informed the government of their openness to a settlement, and discussions on this matter are ongoing. However, attorney Amari Montes emphasized that any settlement would require the Bureau of Prisons to agree to significant changes, particularly concerning medical and mental health care.
Following the hearing, the Bureau of Prisons issued a statement acknowledging Judge Gonzalez Rogers’ efforts and expressed readiness to collaborate with her and the special master overseeing the case.
The Bureau did not immediately respond to requests for additional comments on Wednesday’s proceedings, citing its policy of refraining from discussing matters under court review.
