DOJ California Prisons Investigation
FILE - Bill Essayli, acting U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, speaks with reporters during a news conference at the Department of Justice, Nov. 19, 2025, in Washington.
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A federal investigation accuses California's prison system of failing to protect incarcerated women from sexual abuse by guards. The Justice Department released its findings on Thursday, focusing on two state prisons. Investigators found that guards regularly abused women, and that women were told to report misconduct using a non-confidential online system that was accessible to accused officers. The department found that staff tasked with investigating misconduct were often themselves accused of sexual abuse or harassment. The federal government has given the department 49 days to address these issues or face civil litigation. California's corrections department says it is committed to supporting victims of sexual assault and ensuring safe avenues exist to report misconduct.
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