Rhode Island Woman Sent Back to Federal Prison

A woman from Rhode Island who opposed sharing a room with a male sex offender at Half House has been returned to federal prison. This information surfaced through a public records request.

According to the records, Sarah Kavanaugh was initially serving her sentence at Houston House, a halfway facility in Rhode Island operated by Community Resources for Justice. The conservative America First Justice Department requested details about her re-incarceration.

This situation raises concerns about whether the Bureau of Prisons is adhering to a directive that aims to prevent biological males from being housed in women’s prisons, part of a broader push by the Trump administration concerning transgender policies.

“Men should not share intimate spaces with women, including in federal prisons,” stated Emily Percival, a senior adviser from the AFL. “The Bureau of Prisons has an obligation to ensure the safety and protection of federal inmates.”

Concerns from Women’s Groups

Percival criticized the Bureau of Prisons for not taking appropriate precautions when Kavanaugh was returned to prison after voicing her discomfort about her roommate—an individual previously convicted of a serious sex crime.

Kavanaugh, who had been sentenced to nearly six years in 2023 for armed theft, was transferred to Houston House based on the Bureau’s assessment of her suitability. However, in August, she learned her new roommate would be named Haley Lynn Rose. A quick online search revealed that this was actually Anthony Ninfo, a man guilty of possessing child pornography.

Upon realizing this, Kavanaugh expressed her concerns to the staff. Despite her discomfort, she was instructed to contact facility management. The following day, she received an incident report accusing her of violating the terms of her stay.

This report indicated that Kavanaugh allegedly created a hostile environment for another resident by questioning their gender identity and room assignment, which she deemed inappropriate.

Consequences of the Incident

As a result of these events, Kavanaugh’s placement at the halfway house was revoked, leading to her return to prison for six months, according to the AFL.

Her lawyers argue this incident breaches President Trump’s executive order “Protecting Women from Gender Ideological Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government,” which emphasizes the separation of inmates based on gender.

This case is part of ongoing legal disputes surrounding the implementation of Trump’s order. While some provisions face challenges, certain aspects regarding prison housing policy have progressed in the courts.

Request for Information

The America First group requested documentation relating to Kavanaugh’s situation, including staff interactions and incident reports. However, the Bureau of Prisons stated it could not disclose additional details about her for privacy reasons, emphasizing its commitment to the safety and humane treatment of all inmates.

Attempts to reach out to the Houston House and Community Resources for Justice for comments were made but have yet to receive a response.