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On March 22, 2023, former Warden of Federal Correctional Institute, Dublin (FCI Dublin), Ray J. Garcia was sentenced to 70 months in prison, 15 years of supervised release, and $15,000 in restitution for sexually abusive contact against female inmates. The sentence follows his conviction in December 2022, where he was found guilty of eight counts of sexual abuse and one count of lying to federal agents. Garcia is one of five FCI Dublin personnel charged with sexually abusing inmates, but is the first one to take the case to jury trial.
As Warden of low-security all-women’s prison, Garcia was in charge of overseeing all Bureau of Prisons (“BOP”) employees in the prison and upholding the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). Instead, Garcia engaged in abusive sexual contact with numerous inmates over the span of multiple years and created a toxic culture of abuse that pervaded the entire facility.
Any form of sexual contact by prison guards on inmates is prohibited. Correctional staff maintain substantial control over inmates’ daily lives, making it impossible for an inmate to have the autonomy to give consent in a meaningful way.
Garcia exploited the imbalance of power and took advantage of women in vulnerable positions by making false promises or threatening to retaliate if they did not comply with his sexual demands. At Garcia’s trial, one woman stated that prison rape is swept under the rug, testifying that there was a complete disregard for her safety. In 2022, at least two dozen officers were placed on administrative leave as law enforcement investigated claims of sexual abuse, drug use, and falsifying records, among others.
Garcia is the highest-ranking BOP correctional officer to be sentenced since 1925, and he is the only prison warden in the United States who has been convicted of sexual abuse. Garcia’s victims, including some of our clients, suffer from permanent psychological injuries due to the traumatizing experience.
Although Garcia’s sentencing is an important step in the right direction, the failure to protect incarcerated women from sexual abuse reflects the urgent need for systematic change. Upon hearing about his conviction, incarcerated women at FCI Dublin noted how long their sentences are compared to Garcia’s, highlighting the fact that most of them are serving time for drug possession and distribution:
“This is not justice. So many women are in here for years for non-violent crimes with no victims. He had so many victims. More than the judge ever heard about.”
The culture of sexual abuse at FCI Dublin dates back to the 1990s where three women sued the prison was for similar assault charges. The settlement reached in 1998 included a “good faith” promise that the BOP would implement policies to reduce the risk of sexual assault for female prisoners. Now, 30 years later, FCI Dublin is again receiving federal scrutiny for enabling gross sexual misconduct and putting numerous inmates at risk.
If you or your loved one is a survivor of sexual abuse, our attorneys can provide a discreet, confidential evaluation of your claim, and will aggressively fight to hold those accountable for their actions. We understand how difficult it is to speak up against the authorities, and value the insights and courage of those who do against all odds.
At the Jacob Fuchsberg Law Firm, our dedicated team of Prison Sexual Assault Attorneys is representing dozens of sexual abuse survivors at FCI Dublin, and we will help you get the best possible outcome for your claim. With a history of client success, including obtaining the largest known settlement against BOP for inmate sexual abuse, the Jacob Fuchsberg Law Firm will ensure that you get the representation you deserve.
We can help when the unimaginable happens.
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