Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Dublin Sex Abuse Lawsuit
The Federal Correctional Institution, Dublin, is a now-closed minimum-security women’s prison in California that has been at the center of hundreds of allegations of staff-on-inmate sexual abuse.
- FCI Dublin was a California women’s prison that closed in 2024 after years of investigations, allegations, and lawsuits regarding sexual abuse by staff.
- At least 10 former FCI Dublin staff members have been charged or convicted of sex crimes related to inmate abuse.
- Survivors of sexual abuse at prison facilities like the FCI Dublin have legal rights and options for seeking justice.
The Federal Correctional Institution, Dublin, or FCI Dublin, has been the subject of major sexual abuse investigations, criminal prosecutions, and civil lawsuits in recent years, with the federal government agreeing to a $116 million settlement for victims in 2024. Survivors of prison inmate abuse in California have legal rights and options for seeking accountability and compensation.
If you or a loved one has experienced sexual abuse or assault at FCI Dublin, Helping Survivors can help you understand your rights and connect you with experienced legal professionals.
What Was the Federal Correctional Institution Dublin?
The Federal Correctional Institution, Dublin, was a low-security federal prison for female inmates in Dublin, California. It first opened in 1974 and became one of the nation’s five federal all-female prisons in 2012.
After years of scandal, allegations, and investigations into a supposed culture of sexual abuse by staff at FCI Dublin, the FBI raided the prison in January 2024. The Federal Bureau of Prisons closed the facility three months later after several former inmates filed a class-action lawsuit.
Meet Our Trusted Legal Partners
For over 50 years, Milberg has held powerful defendants accountable — let us fight for you.
Sexual Abuse Allegations and Lawsuits at Federal Correctional Institution Dublin
Lawsuits against FCI Dublin and the Bureau of Prisons have alleged systemic staff-on-inmate sexual abuse, harassment, coercion, retaliation, and failures to prevent or properly investigate misconduct. Meanwhile, several criminal investigations have led to charges against staff members for sexual abuse offenses.
Notably, incarcerated people cannot freely consent to sexual contact with staff, so any sexual contact between staff and inmates is considered abuse.
Federal Criminal Investigations
Between 2023 and 2026, at least 10 former correctional officers and staff members, including a warden and a chaplain, at FCI Dublin have been charged or criminally convicted of sexually abusing inmates at the facility. The following are a few of the criminal cases:
- MAY 2023: Darrell Wayne Smith, a former FCI Dublin correctional officer, was indicted on 12 counts of sexually abusing three female inmates in his custody between 2019 and 2021.
- MARCH 2024: Former FCI Dublin correctional officer Nakie Nunley was sentenced to 6 years in prison for sexually abusing five inmates at the facility. Nunley also retaliated against prisoners who complained about his conduct.
- JUNE 2025: Former FCI Dublin corrections officer Lawrence Gacad was charged with one count of abusive sexual contact related to alleged inmate abuse that occurred in 2022. Gacad was the tenth ex-staff member to be charged.
- MAY 2026: Former BOP correctional officer Jeffrey Wilson was sentenced to 52 months in prison for sexually abusing an inmate at FCI Dublin and lying to federal agents investigating the assault. Wilson was a health technician and paramedic at the facility.
Class-action Lawsuit Against the Federal Bureau of Prisons and FCI Dublin Officials
In 2023, eight alleged survivors of staff sexual abuse at FCI Dublin filed a class action lawsuit with the California Coalition for Women Prisoners against the Federal Bureau of Prisons, FCI Dublin officials, and multiple corrections officers. The plaintiffs also filed a preliminary injunction in an attempt to get the Bureau of Prisons, or BOP, to address systemic problems at the facility that caused abuse.
In 2024, the judge presiding over the lawsuit appointed a special master to oversee BOP compliance with the preliminary injunction. The BOP filed a notice of its intention to close the facility weeks later.
DOJ $116M Settlement For 103 Survivors of Sexual Abuse at FCI Dublin
In December 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice agreed to pay nearly $116 million to settle lawsuits filed on behalf of 103 women who alleged they were abused or mistreated at FCI Dublin. The women accused the BOP of failing to protect them from abuse. Under the agreement, each woman was to receive an average of $1 million.
Nearly 300 More Survivors Plan to File Lawsuits
Nearly 300 more formerly incarcerated women from FCI Dublin prison plan to come forward with sexual abuse lawsuits against the Bureau of Prisons in the upcoming six months. These claims would bring the total number of women to officially file lawsuits against the BOP regarding FCI Dublin’s culture of abuse to nearly 400.
Legal Rights and Options for Survivors of Inmate Sexual Abuse at FCI Dublin
Report Through the Internal BOP Channels
The Federal Bureau of Prisons is responsible for the custody and care of federal inmates, and it oversaw FCI Dublin while it was still open. Though the facility is now closed, you can still report concerns about staff misconduct to the BOP online.
Report Abuse to Law Enforcement
Reporting abuse to law enforcement is separate from filing a civil lawsuit. Though a criminal investigation may lead to the prosecution of the individual perpetrator, criminal charges cannot hold the institutions that enabled abuse accountable. You can report abuse at FCI Dublin to local law enforcement or the DOJ’s Office of Inspector General hotline.
File a Civil Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
Survivors may be able to file a civil lawsuit against the oversight agencies responsible for FCI Dublin even if the perpetrator was never charged, convicted, or investigated, and even if the abuse occurred years ago. Civil lawsuits allow survivors to recover monetary compensation for the losses they suffered as a result of sexual abuse and hold oversight agencies accountable for failing to protect them.
FAQs on Federal Correctional Institution Dublin Sex Abuse Lawsuit
Why Was FCI Dublin Called the ‘Rape Club’?
FCI Dublin was known as the “rape club” due to widespread staff-on-inmate sexual assault and misconduct that occurred in the facility for decades.
Can Family Members File a Lawsuit on Behalf of a Survivor?
In most cases, a survivor must file a lawsuit themself—with the help of an attorney. Family members can typically only file on a survivor’s behalf if the survivor is a minor, is mentally incapacitated, or is deceased.
What Compensation is Available to Survivors?
Through a successful prison inmate abuse lawsuit, survivors may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, therapy costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, PTSD, and other losses related to the abuse. However, no compensation is guaranteed when filing a lawsuit.
Is There a Deadline to File an FCI Dublin Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
In California, survivors of adult sexual assault generally must file a suit within 10 years of the assault or three years of discovering the harm it caused. However, a recently enacted law now allows adult survivors of sexual assault to file lawsuits for abuse that occurred on or after January 1, 2009, even if the traditional statute of limitations has expired. The law took effect on January 1, 2023, and the revival window is open until December 31, 2026.
Contact Helping Survivors for Legal Resources
If you or a loved one endured prison abuse while incarcerated at Federal Correctional Institution Dublin in California before its closure, you have legal rights and options for holding the responsible parties accountable. At Helping Survivors, we connect victims and their families with educational resources and legal representation through our partners at Milberg.
Milberg has over 30 years of experience holding powerful companies & institutions liable. The firm has recovered more than $50 billion for clients over nearly 60 years, holding institutions accountable across complex, high-stakes cases involving sexual abuse in detention centers, prisons, healthcare settings, and more.
Contact Helping Survivors today to learn more and get connected with a lawyer for a free, confidential consultation.
Want To Speak With A Lawyer?
