The Federal Bureau of Prisons has announced the closure of the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Dublin, a women’s prison in California, following extensive reports of staff-on-inmate sexual abuse. The facility, which is the only federal women’s prison west of the Rocky Mountains and one of six in the US, currently houses 605 inmates. The decision to shut down the prison, commonly referred to as the “rape club,” comes after investigations revealed a pervasive culture of misconduct among staff, including instances of sexual assault.

Director Colette Peters cited the facility’s failure to meet operational standards as the primary reason for its closure, despite concentrated efforts to reform the prison. This closure follows legal actions that saw eight employees charged since 2021 with sexually assaulting inmates. The disturbing findings prompted significant scrutiny and public outcry, which influenced the decision to close the facility.

As part of the closure plan, all current inmates will be relocated to other federal prisons. None of the FCI Dublin employees will lose their jobs due to the closure. This move has, however, stirred concerns among the incarcerated population regarding potential retaliation, and the stress of being moved away from their families.

The closure of FCI Dublin marks a critical step in addressing systemic issues of sexual abuse within the US prison system. The wider implications suggest a push for accountability and reform across similar institutions nationwide.