CALIFORNIA REPRESENTATIVES DEMAND ANSWERS FROM FCI DUBLIN AMID CONTINUED COMPLAINTS

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (CA-15), a member of the House Judiciary Committee, led a delegation letter to Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Dublin Warden, Thahesha Jusino, regarding numerous and alarming reports surrounding barriers to legal access and healthcare services.

The letter, signed by Reps. Karen Bass (CA-37), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11), and Judy Chu (CA-27) calls on the prison to immediately fulfill its constitutional obligation to provide meaningful access to legal counsel and provide essential healthcare services to inmates who suffer from serious sexual abuse. This letter follows physical visits to the prison conducted by the Representatives to address underlying rampant sexual assaults by previous high-ranking prison officials, including the now-convicted ex-Warden, Ray J. Garcia.

"Despite my visit to this prison to get to the bottom of many of these issues, my office continues to receive concerning reports of conduct against inmates that may violate federal law," said Representative Swalwell. Rehabilitation of federal inmates does not mean a denial of basic humanities such as access to health care services and legal counsel—rights that are even more critical when they are the result of sexual abuses."

"The violation of constitutional rights, culture of sexual abuse, and failure to provide basic health services at FCI Dublin are unjust and unacceptable," said Representative DeSaulnier. "A prison sentence should not mean the end of a person's constitutional and human rights, and I am proud to join my colleagues in conducting federal oversight to ensure humanity is upheld in our prison system and basic dignity is maintained."

"I have recently had the opportunity to witness firsthand the struggle of inmates within our federal correctional facilities to access necessary medical care," said Representative Chu. "Every American, regardless of their connection with the criminal justice system, must be guaranteed access to basic human rights and dignity. This includes both access to medical care as well as their constitutional right to due process and access legal counsel. Given the ongoing investigations into the treatment of women at FCI Dublin and the horrific allegations of sexual abuse by prison guards, it is important that Members of Congress continue to call for accountability measures at all levels of command within the facility and within the Bureau of Prisons."

The letter to FCI Dublin includes numerous requests for responses detailing how the institution will promptly come into compliance with federal law requirements. The delegation is requesting a response by January 30, 2023.

A copy of the letter can be found here.

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