Court Dismisses Chandler v. Macomber — But the Fight for Incarcerated Women’s Safety Is Not Over

A federal court has dismissed Chandler v. Macomber (formerly Chandler v. CDCR), a case brought by WoLF on behalf of incarcerated women challenging California’s policy of housing male prisoners in women’s facilities.

This case centers on the fundamental rights of women to privacy, dignity, and safety in the most intimate of spaces, and under the most vulnerable of settings. Under California’s policy, women have been forced to share sleeping quarters, showers, and other vulnerable settings with male inmates. This has resulted in pregnancy, violence, rape, intimidation, harassment, mental health crises, and retaliation from every direction.

We always knew that this case was going to end up in appeals - whether it was our side bringing the appeal, or theirs - so our legal strategy remains the same, even though the decision itself is a major disappointment, especially given the length of time that these women have already had to live under these abominable circumstances. 

Until the case reaches final resolution, women in California prisons will continue to face unacceptable risks and violations of their basic rights resulting from housing them with men.

This fight is not over.
WoLF will be appealing this decision. We remain committed to pursuing justice, safety, and dignity for Tomiekia, Cathleen, Janine, Chanel, Nadia, and Krystal - and for all women and girls incarcerated in California.

Our opponents have tremendous resources and absurd, misogynistic beliefs. We will need your continued support as we move forward. The stakes could not be higher.

Please consider a donation of any amount to help us in our continued fight for these women!

Read the decision here.