DOJ investigates California policy of placing men in women’s prisons

The Justice Department initiated an investigation this week into California’s mixed-sex prison housing policy, which places biological men in women’s correctional facilities, after a federal judge struck down a legal challenge to the state’s transgender placement practices.

DOJ officials notified Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) on Thursday of the federal investigation that will determine whether California’s Transgender Respect, Agency, and Dignity Act, a law allowing male prisoners, including fully intact sex offenders, to be housed with women based on self-asserted gender identity, violates the constitutional rights of female inmates.

“The Trump Administration will not stand by if governors are facilitating the abuse of biological women under the guise of inclusion,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a press statement announcing the investigation.

 “Our Constitution protects women from having their civil rights violated by harmful state legislation wrapped in the language of ‘equity’ and ‘progress,’” added First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, of