Department of Justice

For Media Inquiries:
Tripp Laino, 202-999-4273
tlaino@famm.org

FAMM submits testimony to Senate Subcommittee on Investigations hearing on sexual abuse of women in federal prisons

WASHINGTON – FAMM President Kevin Ring submitted testimony to the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, for the hearing on “Sexual Abuse of Female Inmates in Federal Prisons”.

“Many survivors of sexual abuse at Dublin and elsewhere have bravely cooperated with U.S. Attorney offices to help the Department of Justice hold their abusers accountable,” Ring’s testimony reads, in part. “The information and testimony provided by survivors has been essential to the successful prosecutions of Bureau of Prisons personnel who broke the law.

“And yet the women whose testimony was chief evidence in the DOJ’s criminal investigation and prosecution remain behind bars in a setting that only exacerbates their trauma. Contributing to a criminal prosecution as a victim of sexual abuse comes at great expense – many survivors have reported retaliation from prison officials for assisting the government in the investigation, prosecution and sentencing in the cases of BOP officials.”

FAMM has repeatedly advocated for early release for the women who were victims at Dublin.

Ring’s testimony also calls for independent oversight of the BOP. A recent FAMM poll found that 82% of Americans believe there should be a system of independent oversight of our federal prisons. FAMM has championed oversight for years, including the recently introduced Federal Prison Oversight Act.

For more than three decades, FAMM has united the voices of affected families, the formerly incarcerated, and a range of stakeholders and advocates to fight for a more fair and effective justice system. FAMM has led the fight to reform extreme mandatory sentencing laws and to promote rehabilitation and dignity for all people in prison, 94 percent of whom will return to our neighborhoods one day.

###

FAMM is a national nonpartisan advocacy organization that promotes fair and effective criminal justice policies that safely reduce incarceration, save taxpayer dollars, and keep families together. Founded in 1991, FAMM has secured bold sentencing and prison reform across the country while elevating the voices of directly impacted individuals and families.