Washington — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday it has opened a federal civil rights investigation into the State of Washington’s practice of housing biological male inmates in a women’s correctional facility.
The investigation will examine whether the state has engaged in a “pattern or practice” of violating the constitutional rights of female prisoners at the Washington Corrections Center for Women in Gig Harbor, Washington.
According to the Justice Department, investigators will review allegations involving sexual assaults, rape, voyeurism, sexual intimidation, and other safety concerns connected to housing male inmates in the facility.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said the department would examine whether incarcerated women are being exposed to unconstitutional risks of harm.
“Under my leadership, the Civil Rights Division will not allow women incarcerated in jails or prisons to be subject to unconstitutional risks of harm from male inmates,” Dhillon said in the announcement.
Interim U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd said the investigation centers on whether Washington is adequately protecting female inmates’ constitutional rights.
The Justice Department said the investigation is being conducted under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, commonly known as CRIPA, which authorizes federal investigations into systemic constitutional violations in correctional institutions and other public facilities.
Federal officials emphasized that the department has not yet reached any conclusions regarding the allegations.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson was formally notified of the investigation Tuesday.
The Justice Department also announced it is collecting information nationwide regarding the housing of biological men in women’s prisons and jails. Individuals with information can submit complaints through the Civil Rights Division.
Additional information about the investigation and the Civil Rights Division is available through the official Justice Department website, U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.
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