Story perspectives

DOJ Gives California 49 Days to Fix Prison Abuse

8/15/2026

Summary

Justice Dept. Demands Reform

Justice Department released a report Aug 13, 2026 giving California 49 days to remedy sexual abuse at women’s prisons.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said the report documented a 20-year pattern of staff sexual misconduct that violated Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments, ignored the Prison Rape Elimination Act.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli proposed cameras, reporting and training, and warned it could sue Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act if California fails by Oct. 1, 2026.

Summary

Blanche Confirmed AG

Todd Blanche was confirmed as Attorney General by a 50-49 Senate vote.
Blanche, a Department of Justice (DOJ) veteran of 15 years who served as deputy AG after Bondi’s removal, pledged integrity and promised to listen to employees.
He highlighted fentanyl seizures, foreign-terrorist designations of cartels, and vigorous fraud and immigration enforcement.
He thanked Pam Bondi and U.S. President Donald Trump and cited Stanley Woodward as a deputy attorney general.

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Justice Dept. Demands Reform

Justice Department released a report Aug 13, 2026 giving California 49 days to remedy sexual abuse at women’s prisons.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said the report documented a 20-year pattern of staff sexual misconduct that violated Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments, ignored the Prison Rape Elimination Act.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli proposed cameras, reporting and training, and warned it could sue Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act if California fails by Oct. 1, 2026.

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