Federal Investigations Launched in California and Maine Over Prison Policies

The Trump administration has initiated federal probes in California and Maine concerning claims of sexual assault and harassment linked to policies that allow biological men with gender dysphoria to be housed in women’s correctional facilities.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Thursday their investigation into whether the inclusion of biological males in women’s prisons infringes on the constitutional rights of female inmates. The DOJ specifically pointed to reports of rape and instances of pregnancy among incarcerated women.

Governors Gavin Newsom of California and Janet Mills of Maine have been officially informed about these investigations. The focus is to assess if the state’s housing policies violate the protections outlined in the 8th and 14th Amendments for female prisoners.

“The Department of Justice will look into whether California has engaged in practices that violate the constitutional rights of women incarcerated at California Women’s Facility and Central California Women’s Facility,” the DOJ stated. “Similarly, the investigation will determine if Maine exhibits a pattern of violating the rights of women at the Maine Correctional Center.”

This investigation stems from a campaign propelled by women’s rights organizations such as “women are real” and “female II female.” These groups have been vocal about the rising reports of sexual assaults by male gender dysphoric inmates against women in prisons.

A central figure in this campaign is Tremaine Carroll, a 52-year-old biological male identifying as female. The case gained notoriety after Carroll was charged in March for allegedly raping and impregnating a female inmate at the Central California Women’s Facility.

“We have filed rape charges against this inmate after two of his cellmates reported assault, following the transfer of a third cellmate who became pregnant,” said Madera County District Attorney Sally Moreno. “This inmate is not a woman in any sense of the word.”

Carroll’s placement in a women’s prison was facilitated by California’s Senate Bill 132, known as the Transgender Respect, Agency, and Dignity Act, which Newsom signed in 2020. A judge in Madera County ruled in February that inmates should be referred to with female pronouns.

“This act does not extend the fairness and respect it claims for female inmates, who are compelled to share spaces with biological males who have violent backgrounds,” remarked Bill Esseri, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for Central California. “Our Constitution protects women from being subjected to violations of their rights under the guise of fairness and progress.”

The DOJ also committed to investigating reports of rights deprivation for female prisoners.

“Preventing men from entering women’s prisons is not just logical; it is essential for safety and constitutional rights,” stated Attorney General Pam Bondi. “If state leaders allow the harm of biological women under the pretext of inclusion, the Trump administration will respond decisively.”

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon emphasized that the Civil Rights Division will ensure female prisoners are not exposed to constitutional harms caused by male inmates. “These investigations aim to uncover whether the increasing trend of housing men in women’s facilities infringes upon their constitutional rights,” Dhillon added.

Alongside legal developments, Dillon shared official communications with the Democratic governors, indicating that if constitutional violations are identified, the DOJ is ready to assist states in addressing those issues.

This approach suggests the DOJ is prioritizing collaborative reform over immediate legal action while actively overseeing state operations.