The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated an investigation into allegations of systemic sexual abuse of incarcerated women by correctional officers at the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla and the California Institution for Women in Chino. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has stated that it does not tolerate sexual abuse in its prisons and welcomes the investigation. The investigation was prompted by multiple private lawsuits alleging rape and sexual abuse of women at the Chowchilla prison and a lawsuit filed on behalf of 21 women at the Chino facility accusing officers of groping, rape, and other forms of sexual violence. The Justice Department has accused correctional staff of seeking sexual favors in exchange for contraband and privileges.
The secretary of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has emphasized that sexual assault is unacceptable in the state’s prison system. In a separate development, a women’s prison in Northern California referred to as the “rape club” will be closed by the federal Bureau of Prisons following revelations of widespread sexual abuse by officers. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 for support and guidance.
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