Final approval was granted by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland for a legal settlement that will hold the federal Bureau of Prisons accountable for staff-on-inmate sexual abuse at the now-closed Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, California. The settlement includes independent monitoring and increased transparency, with a court-appointed monitor overseeing the treatment of former Dublin inmates now in other federal facilities. It provides pathways to early release and home confinement and mandates a public acknowledgment of the abuse suffered by victims. The agreement also ensures rights for transgender and non-citizen inmates, with provisions for gender-affirming accommodations and early release regardless of immigration status.

The consent decree, set to run for at least two years starting March 31, aims to address a history of abuse and cover-ups at FCI Dublin, known among inmates and staff as the “rape club.” The settlement follows a class-action lawsuit and a separate $116 million settlement in December for over 100 affected women. The court-appointed monitor will issue monthly public reports on key findings, including staff abuse, medical care, and compliance with release rules. Additionally, the Bureau of Prisons is required to expunge invalid disciplinary reports and restore lost release credits for eligible plaintiffs.

The judge emphasized the importance of the settlement, rejecting the Bureau of Prisons’ attempts to renegotiate terms that were already agreed upon. With the consent decree in place, the focus is on ensuring safety and protection for the victims, preventing further misconduct, and providing avenues for redress and accountability within the federal prison system.