Congressmembers Ask For Congressional Hearing On Dublin Prison

DUBLIN, CA — Ten congressmen sent a letter to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the House Judiciary Committee and the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability on Friday asking them to hold hearings on the recent closure of the federal women's prison in Dublin, and the transfer of its inmates. Eight of the ten congressmen represent California.

"We have heard from former inmates who were recently released, family of inmates who have since been transferred from FCI Dublin, and advocates--all of whom have told us about shocking abuses that took place during the mass inmate transfers," the congressmen said in their letter Friday. "This level of disregard for human dignity cannot be tolerated."

Alleged abuses at the facility include retaliation against whistleblowers, inhumane treatment, and withholding of necessary medical care, according to the letter.

Congressional committee investigations and hearings would allow Congress to address past and current issues, the letter said. The hearings would involve hearing directly from decision makers in BOP and the Department of Justice about plans for the facility, how the closure was planned and executed, and efforts to ensure this sinister culture of abuse is not replicated in other federal prison facilities.

Dublin prison closure, transfer issues

Representatives are concerned that the prison's closure might interfere with Special Master Wendy Still's April 5 appointment to oversee Dublin prison's compliance with federal law and constitutional requirements.

"We share a belief in the importance of Special Master Still's mandate and are concerned that the closure of the prison will delay or deny much-needed accountability," the representatives said in their letter Friday.

The facility's closure was announced on April 15, less than two weeks after Sill's appointment and without informing her, with a promise to have the facility empty by the end of the week.

"The frantic nature of the closure of FCI Dublin reflects a lack of adequate planning and proper safeguards to protect the rights of inmates," the representatives said in their letter.

Lawyers representing some of Dublin's inmates asked for an emergency restraining order to stop the transfer of inmates from the prison on April 19, but many of the incarcerated women had allegedly already been moved by the time the motion was filed.

Inmates allege a variety of abuses during their transfer, such as limited access to food, water and bathroom facilities. Other accusations include a woman who was allegedly forced to remove a tampon in a strip search in front of two officers before being denied feminine hygiene products and left to bleed on herself during her bus transfer, unable to access her belongings or clean underwear for four days, according to the 70-page motion.

There are only four remaining low-security women's prisons in the U.S., according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons website, none of which are in California.

Convictions and ongoing trails for former Dublin prison employees

Several former employees, including former warden Ray J. Garcia, have been convicted of acts of sexual misconduct while serving within the prison.

Garcia, a 55-year-old Merced resident, was convicted of three counts of sexual abuse and four counts of abusive sexual contact against three inmates, in addition to one count of making false statements to a government agency during the investigation of the criminal act. Garcia was sentenced to just under 6 years in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, in late 2022.

"This prosecution should serve as both warning and reassurance that the Department of Justice will not waver in holding accountable BOP employees and executives who abuse their authority -- whether they be a correctional officer, chaplain, or warden -- and in pursuing justice for their victims," Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco said in May 2023, following Garcia's conviction.

The prison's chaplain, James Highhouse, 50, was previously convicted of sexually abusing an inmate and lying about it to federal agents, alongside several other former employees. Although six different incarcerated women accused him of similar actions, he only pled guilty to crimes against one woman.

40-year-old Pleasanton resident John Bellhouse was convicted on two counts of sexual abuse of a ward and three counts of abusive sexual contact, and 48-year-old Fairfield resident Nakie Nunley was convicted of engaging in sexual acts and sexual contacts with five incarcerated women, among other charges. He admitted to sexually abusing two other incarcerated women, for which he was not convicted, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

54-year-old Darrell Wayne Smith is still facing five counts of sexual abuse of a ward, six counts of abusive sexual contact, and one count of aggravated sexual abuse. His trial is scheduled for May of 2025. Smith could face a maximum of life in prison if convicted of aggravated sexual abuse, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Signatories on the Friday letter included California representatives Judy Chu, Mark DeSaulnier, Anna Eshoo, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Barbara Lee, Zoe Lofgren, Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell. Representatives Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas and Bobby Scott of Virginia also signed the letter. All ten signatories are registered Democrats.


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