Two advocacy groups for women have started a billboard truck campaign across California aimed at highlighting the rising instances of trans prisoners raping women.
The initiative, supported by Women Are Real and WomaniiWoman, is critical of the placement of male inmates in women’s facilities under Senate Bill 132. The campaign also emphasizes upcoming trials related to rape cases, specifically mentioning trans prisoner Tremaine Carroll.
Carroll is currently imprisoned in a women’s facility due to SB 132, which was enacted in 2021. This law, titled the Transgender Respect, Agency, and Dignity Act, permits inmates to be housed based solely on their declared gender identity.
Carroll, aged 52, is facing charges for the rape of three women while being held at the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla. Prosecutors revealed that one of his cellmates is pregnant.
The women’s advocacy groups are displaying mobile billboards with stark messages such as “Women in California prisons raped by male inmates,” “Incarcerated women matter,” and “SB 132: State-sanctioned rape – silence from the media.”
According to the organizers, this forceful communication seeks to counter what they believe is a troubling lack of accountability and media focus regarding California’s controversial inmate housing law.
The truck canvasses notable locations throughout the state, including San Francisco’s landmarks and major news centers.
In San Francisco, the routes include iconic spots like the Golden Gate Bridge, as well as the San Francisco Chronicle newsroom and various TV stations.
In Los Angeles, the truck makes stops at the Los Angeles Times Building, City Hall, Union Station, Dodger Stadium, Crypto.com Arena, and Men’s Central Jail.
In Sacramento, the campaign focuses on the state capitol and county jail.
A second truck is planned to visit the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla, where Carroll was previously detained.
Organizers emphasize that this initiative is about ensuring visibility and holding authorities accountable. They advocate for the safety of women in prison, stating that they are among the most vulnerable populations and have, unfortunately, been overlooked in safety regulations.
They are calling on the public, lawmakers, and the media to take notice.
In an interesting twist, a Madera County judge has ruled that Tremaine Carroll must be referred to by her chosen pronouns, a decision that has sparked significant controversy.
Madera County District Attorney Sally Moreno criticized this ruling, arguing that it permits the misuse of California’s prison housing law and could lead to confusion in legal proceedings.
Moreno pointed out the potential complications this could create for jurors, emphasizing that, in California, rape laws define the crime as one that must involve a male perpetrator.
She expressed concerns about the implications of requiring victims to adapt their language during court proceedings, which she called deeply troubling.
Supervising Deputy District Attorney Eric DuTemple echoed these sentiments, stating that it was unreasonable for victims to face such scrutiny while recounting traumatic experiences.
