Justice Department Probes California and Maine Over Housing Transgender Women with Female Inmates

The investigation focuses on allegations of sexual assaults and harassment in women's prisons.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 5:19am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The U.S. Justice Department announced it is investigating whether California and Maine are violating the rights of female inmates by housing them with transgender women. The investigation will focus on specific prisons in each state where there have been allegations of sexual assaults, rape, voyeurism, and a 'pervasive climate of sexual intimidation' due to the presence of transgender women.

Why it matters

The housing of transgender women in women's prisons has been a controversial and politically charged issue, with concerns raised about the safety and rights of cisgender female inmates. The Justice Department's investigation reflects the ongoing debate over balancing transgender rights with the concerns of female inmates.

The details

The Justice Department said it will investigate the California Institution for Women, the Central California Women's Facility, and the Maine Correctional Center. Both California and Maine have policies allowing inmates to be housed based on their gender identity. The investigation comes after a high-profile case in California where a transgender woman was charged with two counts of rape while housed in a women's facility.

  • The Justice Department announced the investigation on March 26, 2026.
  • In 2020, California passed a law requiring the state's prison system to house inmates based on their gender identity.

The players

U.S. Justice Department

The federal agency that is conducting the investigation into California and Maine's policies on housing transgender women with female inmates.

Gavin Newsom

The Democratic governor of California who signed the 2020 law requiring the state's prison system to house inmates based on their gender identity.

Janet Mills

The Democratic governor of Maine whose spokesman dismissed the Justice Department's investigation as 'politically motivated.'

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Despite the Department of Justice's claims, this is yet another politically motivated, predetermined investigation designed to target states that stand up to the Trump Administration and its abuses.”

— Ben Goodman, Spokesman for Maine Gov. Janet Mills

“Any suggestion that all transgender women be assigned to men's institutions as a matter of policy is a suggestion to violate federal law.”

— California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

What’s next

The Justice Department did not provide a timeline for when the investigation will be completed. The outcome could have significant implications for how transgender inmates are housed in women's prisons across the country.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between protecting the rights and safety of transgender individuals and addressing the concerns of cisgender female inmates. The Justice Department's investigation reflects the politically charged nature of this issue and the need for policymakers to find a balanced approach that respects the rights of all.