Survivors and advocates press California lawmakers over alleged staff abuse and retaliation in women's prisons

Survivors and advocates recounted graphic allegations of staff sexual abuse and systemic retaliation at California's women's prisons during a budget subcommittee hearing, drawing repeated promises from state officials to improve investigations and accountability.

Sandra Deanda, a member of the California Coalition for Women Prisoners who was released from Central California Women's Facility in August 2024, told lawmakers the facility response was crushing: "Guards unleashed brutal excessive force on over a 150 vulnerable people," she said, describing pepper spray, restraining flexi cuffs and severe injuries that included a stroke and traumatic brain injury. Deanda said she and others experienced retaliation for reporting misconduct and urged stronger, confidential reporting pathways and reentry supports.

Advocates from Sister Warriors Freedom Coalition and the California Coalition for Women Prisoners backed those calls. April Grayson, political director of Sister Warriors, said state-approved community programs were being blocked while harmful interventions were imposed inside prisons, alleging residents were coerced into medication under the threat of…