DOJ Settles for Nearly $116 Million for Over 100 Abused Women at California Prison

The Justice Department has agreed to pay almost $116 million to over 100 women who experienced abuse at the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, California. This settlement, averaging $1.1 million for each woman, addresses mistreatment and staff-on-inmate sexual abuse at the facility.

Aimee Chavira, a former prisoner at Dublin and plaintiff in the lawsuit, expressed hope that the settlement will aid survivors in their healing process, although acknowledging that it cannot fully repair the harm caused by the Bureau of Prisons or restore the lives of those impacted.

Perpetrators Facing Justice

The former warden of the prison, Ray Garcia, along with seven other employees, are currently imprisoned for their role in sexually abusing inmates. An eighth correctional officer, Darrell Wayne Smith, awaits trial on 12 counts of sexual abuse.

Significance of the Settlement

This settlement marks a significant milestone, being the largest ever paid by the DOJ to incarcerated women. Jessica Pride, one of the lawyers representing the women, emphasized the gravity of the situation, advocating for a much larger compensation, albeit recognizing the inherent challenges in quantifying the trauma endured by the survivors.

Determining Compensation

The distribution of the settlement amount is based on interviews with the victims, assessing the extent of trauma suffered and the frequency of abuse endured. The average compensation of $1.1 million per woman reflects the severity of their experiences while incarcerated at FCI Dublin.

In addition to this settlement, the California Coalition of Women Prisoners has initiated a separate class-action lawsuit, potentially impacting around 500 women formerly housed at FCI Dublin. This legal action aims to seek court-ordered reforms to address the systemic issues within the prison.