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AAG Dhillon to probe Washington women’s prison housing policy
The probe will examine claims of sexual assault, rape, voyeurism, sexual intimidation and concerns related to housing male inmates at the all-female facility.
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Jeffin T. Kaleekal - Wed, 20, May 2026
- 03:41 EDT
- 37
U.S. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Kaur Dhillon. / Facebook
The assistant attorney general for civil rights at the U.S. Department of Justice, Harmeet Dhillon, has announced her department's plans to investigate Washington’s practice of housing men in its women’s prison, claiming that the act places "unconstitutional risks" on female inmates.
The DOJ, on May 19, notified Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson of the initiation of a federal investigation into Washington’s practice of housing biological men in its women’s prison.
The DOJ, in a statement, noted, "The Justice Department will investigate whether Washington engages in a pattern or practice of violating the constitutional rights of female prisoners incarcerated at the Washington Corrections Center for Women (WCCW) in Gig Harbor, Washington."
Highlighting the significance of the investigation by the Dhillon-led Civil Rights Division of the DOJ, she said, "Under my leadership, the Civil Rights Division will not allow women incarcerated in jails or prisons to be subject to unconstitutional risks of harm from male inmates."
ALSO READ: Dhillon opens probes into California's women prisons
She added, “The constitutional rights of women cannot be sacrificed at the altar of appeasing unsupported and dangerous ideologies.”
The U.S. Justice Department said it will investigate allegations that female prisoners at the Washington Corrections Center for Women (WCCW) were denied constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment.
The probe will also examine claims of sexual assault, rape, voyeurism, sexual intimidation and concerns related to housing male inmates at the all-female facility.
The department noted that it has not yet reached any conclusions and will conduct the investigation under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), which allows federal authorities to investigate patterns or practices that violate prisoners’ constitutional rights.
Officials noted that past CRIPA investigations have resulted in major reforms in correctional systems across the country.
Talking about the investigation, Dhillon said on X, "The Civil Rights Division just opened an investigation into another state — Washington — that incarcerates men with women, violating women’s privacy and putting them in harm’s way."
She concluded, "This Department of Justice will defend the rights of ALL women!"
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