As detailed in this local article from a few months ago, numerous staffers at the federal prison in California have been criminally charged with sexually abusing numerous incarcerated women. (As press pieces have noted, Dublin FCI “had become known by the nickname ‘Rape Club’ due to rampant sexual abuse” with dozens of employees investigated for wrong-doing.) Brining a sentencing angle to this sad story, yesterday FAMM sent this letter to Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco urging “the BOP to seek, and U.S. Attorneys to file, reduction of sentence motions for every woman whose allegations have been found credible.”
I recommend the two-page FAMM letter in full, and here is an excerpt:
The Bureau of Prisons can refer compassionate release motions to the U.S. Attorney for filing when it finds extraordinary and compelling reasons warrant a reduction in sentence. While the policy statement describing extraordinary and compelling reasons does not include sexual abuse by corrections officials, it does provide the BOP the power to identify “other reasons,” that alone or in combination with recognized criteria merit compassionate release.
Sexual assault by BOP personnel of incarcerated women is an exceptional abuse of trust. The trauma resulting from such victimization is without doubt an extraordinary and compelling reason justifying consideration for compassionate release. None of the victims was sentenced to endure such violence. It has made their incarceration degrading and terrifying. The victims could not protect themselves or flee their abusers. Many struggle to speak about their experience for fear of retaliation. Sexual abuse survivors bear the emotional scars of their violation for years. Mental health care in the federal system is inadequate to help them begin to heal….
A motion filed by the U.S. Attorney on behalf of the Bureau of Prisons is the best opportunity to secure emotional and physical safety for women who endured sexual abuse by BOP personnel. A Department-sanctioned motion carries the weight of the Department’s imprimatur, something a defendant-filed motion does not. But, more than that, a motion filed by the United States would convey the gravity of the harm these women endured and signal your commitment to make it right.