Survivors of Abuse at California Federal Prison Urge Biden for Clemency

 

A group of incarcerated women, who endured widespread sexual abuse by guards at a federal prison in California, are calling on President Joe Biden to grant them clemency. This plea follows Biden's recent historic act of clemency, which saw nearly 1,500 sentences commuted and 39 individuals pardoned in a single day. Advocates are now urging the administration to extend relief to a group they believe has been overlooked.

The Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Dublin, a women’s prison near Oakland, gained infamy as the center of one of the most egregious prison abuse scandals in U.S. history. Known by inmates and staff as the "rape club," the facility was plagued by systemic sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation against those who spoke out. A federal judge described the conditions as "shocking" and rife with constitutional violations.

The fallout from the scandal has been significant:

• Seven former staff members, including the warden and chaplain, have been convicted of sexual crimes.
• Over 20 employees remain under investigation or on leave.
• The U.S. Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has closed FCI Dublin permanently.

In addition, the BOP recently agreed to pay $115 million in a class-action settlement to 103 plaintiffs, many of whom are survivors of the abuse. However, while some have been released, many victims remain incarcerated.

Roberta Bell, 53, a lead plaintiff in the class-action lawsuit, has spent nearly three decades in federal custody. Bell, transferred to a prison in Minnesota, has been a vocal advocate for other survivors but has faced severe retaliation for speaking out. She described a culture of retribution, including solitary confinement, denial of medical care, and being labeled a "snitch."

“I’ve suffered greatly for not staying silent,” Bell said, adding that she hoped her clemency request would be viewed as a testament to her resilience and growth. “I’ve paid my dues. Now, I want to contribute to society.”

Leslie, a former Dublin inmate and non-U.S. citizen, said her immigrant status made her particularly vulnerable to abuse. Facing deportation to Mexico despite spending most of her life in the U.S., she called on Biden to stop her deportation and allow her to rebuild her life with her children. “We deserve a chance to heal,” she said.

While Biden’s recent clemency focused on individuals serving home confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, advocates argue that abuse survivors within the federal prison system need immediate action. Clemency offers a quicker path to freedom than compassionate release, which often requires survivors to navigate complicated legal hurdles and meet stringent standards for proving their abuse.

Advocates have highlighted 23 pending clemency applications for survivors, emphasizing that many of these individuals face ongoing trauma and retaliation. “These women are trapped in the same system where they endured horrific abuse,” said Alison Guernsey, a federal criminal defense expert.

For survivors like Aimee Chavira, who was granted compassionate release last year, life outside prison has been a struggle. While therapy has helped, she continues to experience flashbacks and fears rooted in her time at Dublin. “We were sent to prison to serve our sentences, not to endure this level of abuse,” she said.

Advocates say granting clemency to survivors would not only help them rebuild their lives but also encourage other incarcerated individuals to report abuse. “Clemency is a step toward justice,” said one survivor, who remains in a Florida prison. “It shows that someone is willing to listen and act.”

The Biden administration has yet to respond to these pleas, but survivors remain hopeful. For Bell, the chance to reunite with her family and meet her grandchildren for the first time is a dream she refuses to give up on. “I just want to prove that I can make a difference,” she said.