FCI Dublin (low-security)
CLOSED: FCI Dublin shut its doors permanently in December 2024 after a widespread sexual abuse scandal involving staff members. Ten correctional officers faced sex crime charges, with former warden Ray Garcia ultimately convicted at trial. Around 600 women were transferred out to federal facilities across the country.
Federal Correctional Institution, Dublin (FCI Dublin) was a low-security federal prison housing female inmates in Dublin, California. The Federal Bureau of Prisons, which operates under the United States Department of Justice, ran the facility. It permanently shut down in December 2024 following years of sexual abuse allegations and a federal investigation.
Overview
The prison became exclusively female in 2012. It was one of only five federal prisons for women nationwide. About 35 miles east of San Francisco, the facility sat on the grounds of Camp Parks, a U.S. Army Reserve installation.
Before closure, roughly 600 female inmates lived there in low-security conditions with dormitory-style housing.
Notable Inmates (Historical)
Several high-profile women served time at FCI Dublin:
- Felicity Huffman - Actress convicted in the college admissions scandal, she spent 11 days there in October 2019.
- Lori Loughlin - Actress convicted in the college admissions scandal, served 2 months from October through December 2020.
- Heather Mack - Convicted of her mother's murder in Bali, she served time after extradition to the U.S.
- Patty Hearst - Heiress kidnapped by the SLA, she served time in the 1970s before being pardoned.
Sexual Abuse Scandal and Closure
Timeline
Between 2021 and 2022, reports of a toxic environment emerged. Sexual abuse by staff was rampant. The prison earned a dark nickname: the "rape club." Inmates who reported their abusers faced retaliation.
In January 2024, CBS's 60 Minutes broadcast a special called "Agency In Crisis" about conditions there. The FBI raided the facility shortly after.
On April 15, 2024, the Bureau of Prisons announced temporary closure. This came just 10 days after Wendy Still became special master. Around 600 women got transferred to roughly 13 federal prisons across the nation.
December 2024 brought permanent closure. The Bureau cited poor facility conditions, staffing shortages driven by Bay Area living costs, and the major repairs needed to reopen.
Criminal Charges
Ten FCI Dublin correctional officers faced sex crime charges as of June 2025. That's the highest number at any federal facility in the country. Seven officers were sentenced for sex crimes. Two were convicted at trial, including former warden Ray Garcia.
An officer nicknamed "Dirty Dick" Smith faced a deadlocked jury in April 2025. A retrial is scheduled for August 2025.
Settlements and Consent Decree
Over 100 former inmates received more than $100 million in settlement money from the federal government for their abuse.
On December 6, 2024, the parties agreed to an unprecedented Consent Decree. It applies to more than a dozen federal women's prisons housing nearly 500 former FCI Dublin inmates. The two-year agreement requires strong oversight and fixes for staff sexual and physical abuse, retaliation, medical care, and case work issues.
Future of the Facility
ICE officials visited the closed facility in February 2025. They wanted to explore converting it into an immigrant detention center.
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Location
Physical address: 5701 8th St, Camp Parks, Dublin, CA 94568
The prison sat about 35 miles east of San Francisco.
See also
- Index of Federal Prison Facilities
- FPC Bryan - Women's minimum-security federal prison camp in Texas
- Bureau of Prisons Classification Methods