Whistleblower Reveals Corruption in California Prisons, Resigns in Protest

As a former correctional lieutenant at a high-security men’s prison in California, I faced a moral dilemma that led me to resign. It wasn’t an easy decision, but I could no longer stand by and watch corruption and injustice thrive within the very system I was sworn to uphold.

The tipping point came in 2022 with the implementation of California State Senate Bill 132, the Transgender Respect, Agency, and Dignity Act. This law, legalizing “gender self-identification” in state prisons, was fundamentally flawed in its execution.

I initially hoped the new policy would protect and accommodate transgender inmates. However, what I witnessed was negligence and disregard for inmate safety and correctional staff well-being.

• Lack of Proper Protocols
  Male inmates identifying as women could easily manipulate the system. They could demand to be moved to women’s institutions without thorough risk assessments, putting vulnerable individuals at risk.

• Continued Criminal Behavior
  At Centinela State Prison and Richard J. Donovan State Prison, we housed dangerous criminals. Their behavior didn’t stop behind bars, often continuing inside prison walls.

• Manipulation of the System
  Many inmates openly exploited the new law. One inmate scheduled for a taxpayer-funded sex realignment surgery planned to prostitute himself upon return, only to sue the state for complications later.

Inadequate training and education for correctional staff on transgender issues exacerbated the problem. Many colleagues were ill-equipped to handle these challenges, leading to conflicts and misunderstandings.

Female staff also suffered. Male inmates identifying as women could choose female officers for body searches, subjecting female staff to viewing male body parts multiple times a day, which is inhumane and humiliating.

Despite my dedication, I could no longer reconcile my values with the corruption and injustice I saw daily. Less than a year into the policy’s implementation, I resigned. I left behind a $157,000 salary, a mortgage, and a family to support, but I could no longer stand by and do nothing.

My resignation was a statement against a broken system prioritizing profits over people. California’s prison system needs comprehensive reform to address rampant corruption and abuse. We must hold administrators and policymakers accountable for perpetuating these injustices.

Reflecting on my time in the prison system, Edmund Burke’s words resonate: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” My resignation aims to spur necessary action to reform our broken prison system. We owe it to inmates, staff, and society to do better.

Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on this and other important political developments.