Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.3 Resolution Formally Opposing the Reopening of the Federal Correctional Institution Dublin for Any Future Detention or Correctional Operations STAFF REPORT CITY COUNCIL Page 1 of 3 Agenda Item 8.3 DATE: December 16, 2025 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: Colleen Tribby, City Manager SUBJECT: Resolution Formally Opposing the Reopening of the Federal Correctional Institution Dublin for Any Future Detention or Correctional Operations Prepared by: Jordan Foss, Senior Management Analyst EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The City Council will consider approving a resolution formally opposing the reopening or repurposing of the former Federal Correctional Institution Dublin for any use related to detention or correctional operations. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Adopt the Resolution Opposing the Reopening or Repurposing of the Former Federal Correctional Institution Dublin for Any Future Detention or Correctional Operations. DESCRIPTION: During Item 9 of the November 18, 2025 meeting, the City Council directed Staff to bring back for consideration a resolution opposing the potential use of the shuttered Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Dublin by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Background FCI Dublin, located within the federal jurisdictional boundaries of the City of Dublin, opened in 1974 and operated for decades as a low-security federal correctional institution for women. In 2023–2024, widespread failures in facility oversight and staff misconduct—including criminal prosecutions of prison employees—resulted in national scrutiny and exposed systemic issues within the institution. The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) announced a phased closure of FCI Dublin in April 2024. The facility was fully closed on December 5, 2024, after detainees were relocated and staff reassigned. Since its closure, the facility has remained vacant. In early 2025, according to news reports, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials visited the former FCI Dublin site allegedly to assess the suitability of the site as a potential 500 Page 2 of 3 immigrant detention center. Since then, ongoing public protest activity has reflected community opposition to ICE presence in the Tr-Valley area and to the repurposing of FCI Dublin. City Actions and Response from BOP The City has consistently maintained that no form of detention operation is appropriate at the former FCI Dublin location, given its history of abuse, infrastructure deterioration, and associated impacts on the community. Following the facility’s closure and public speculation, the City has engaged in ongoing communication with federal partners, including Congressional and Senate offices. Through meetings, emails, and phone calls, the City has communicated concerns regarding any future use of FCI Dublin for detention or correctional purposes. Federal representatives have acknowledged these concerns, and the City continues to track federal actions related to the site. The City has also transmitted two formal letters to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal BOP reflecting the City’s consistent and comprehensive stance that reopening FCI Dublin for any detention-related use is incompatible with community values, public safety, and long-term planning objectives:  April 4, 2025 – The City sent an initial opposition letter expressing its concerns following reports that the federal government was evaluating FCI Dublin for potential immigration detention use. The letter documented the facility’s history of operational failures, infrastructure issues, and inappropriate conditions for any detained population.  November 17, 2025 – After receiving no response from federal agencies, the City submitted a second letter reiterating and strengthening its position. The letter emphasized the City’s firm opposition to any reopening of FCI Dublin for detention purposes, including but not limited to use as an ICE facility. Recently, the City received two correspondences from the Federal BOP declaring that it will no longer be operating, and will be divesting itself from, FCI Dublin:  December 5, 2025 – The City received a letter (Attachment 2) advising that the Federal BOP has no plans to reopen FCI Dublin and no indication that the facility will be repurposed for use by ICE.  December 10, 2025 – the City received an email with an attached letter (Attachment 3) advising that the Federal BOP is planning to “permanently deactivate, close, and dispose of FCI Dublin, and to divest itself of the facility with custody and accountability for FCI Dublin transferred to the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) for ultimate disposition.” There has been no information provided from any other federal agency, and no indication as to how FCI Dublin might be used in the future. Resolution for Consideration The attached resolution formally establishes the City Council’s position opposing the reopening of FCI Dublin for any detention or correctional purpose and reinforces the City’s request to be 501 Page 3 of 3 involved in future federal discussions regarding the property. If approved, the resolution would be transmitted to federal officials, including the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Congressional and Senate representatives. STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE: None. NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH: The City Council Agenda was posted. ATTACHMENTS: 1) Resolution Opposing the Reopening or Repurposing of the Former Federal Correctional Institution Dublin for Any Future Detention or Correctional Operations 2) Letter from Bureau of Prisons, received December 5, 2025 3) Letter from Bureau of Prisons, received via email December 10, 2025 502 Attachment 1 Reso. No. XX-25, Item X.X, Adopted XX/XX/2025 Page 1 of 3 RESOLUTION NO. XX - 25 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN OPPOSING THE REOPENING OR REPURPOSING OF THE FORMER FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION DUBLIN FOR ANY FUTURE DETENTION OR CORRECTIONAL OPERATIONS WHEREAS, the former Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Dublin, located within the jurisdictional boundary of the City of Dublin, previously operated as a low-security federal correctional facility for women until its closure by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) on December 5, 2024; and WHEREAS, the facility was closed following extensive reports of systemic failures, including documented staff misconduct, inadequate oversight, multiple criminal prosecutions, and the identification of dangerous infrastructu re issues, resulting in significant loss of public trust in the operation of the institution; and WHEREAS, the City of Dublin has grown rapidly over the last 15 years due to its high quality of life including: its consistent ranking among the safest cities in California; its desirable school district with many schools earning multiple distinctions like National Blue Ribbon, California Distinguished School, and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports awards for overall excellence; its proximity to public transportation and high- paying technology employment centers; its family-friendly amenities; and its thriving business environment; and WHEREAS, the City of Dublin was named an "All-America City" in 2011 by the National Civic League, recognizing it as a community that leverages civic engagement, collaboration, inclusiveness, and innovation to successfully address local issues; and WHEREAS, the City is now home to a large immigrant population, with roughly 40% of its residents having been born outside of the United States, and is a majority- minority City with over 80% of residents having United States citizenship; and WHEREAS, the City recognizes the many positive contributions of its immigrant population to the community, and champions a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion; and WHEREAS, since the closure of FCI Dublin, credible reports and public speculation have suggested that the federal government or federal contractors may consider reactivating the site for detention or correctional operations, including but not limited to use as an immigration detention facility operated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); and 503 Reso. No. XX-25, Item X.X, Adopted XX/XX/2025 Page 2 of 3 WHEREAS, the City is aware of documented incidents in which ICE presence and heightened immigration enforcement has created an environment of fear and anxiety in communities, as well as incidents in which ICE activities are targeted not only based on judicial warrant, but on an individual’s race and/or appearance; and WHEREAS, the City anticipates that ICE presence in the community could lead to decreased public participation in the local economy and patronage of Dublin’s small businesses, erosion of trust in City leadership, decreased involvement in special events and volunteering, decreased use of City facilities and programs, absenteeism in schools, and apprehension about interacting with public safety officers and local social support providers; and WHEREAS, the former FCI Dublin facility lacks the necessary infrastructure to facilitate immigration enforcement or processing for detainees and was not built to support the legal, medical, and logistical needs of individuals undergoing immigration proceedings; and WHEREAS, reopening or repurposing the former FCI Dublin facility would require extensive infrastructure and security measures that co uld negatively impact the surrounding residential areas; and WHEREAS, the BOP has already determined that the former FCI Dublin facility is unfit for active service due to severe infrastructure issues including asbestos and mold contamination, making it a health hazard for any individuals detained there, as well as for staff; and WHEREAS, frequent, ongoing protests in the Tri-Valley area have demonstrated the deep resistance felt by the public for ICE presence in Dublin and in the surrounding communities. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Dublin hereby formally opposes the reopening or reuse of the former Federal Correctional Institution Dublin for any detention or correctional purpose, including but not limited to its use as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Dublin urges the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and other relevant federal agencies to engage in open and transparent communication with the City regarding any decisions affecting the site. {Signatures on the following page} 504 Reso. No. XX-25, Item X.X, Adopted XX/XX/2025 Page 3 of 3 PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Dublin this 16th day of December 2025, by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ______________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _________________________________ City Clerk 505 Attachment 2 50 6 U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Prisons Central Office Washington, DC 20534 December 4, 2025 Re: Disposal of Federal Property Associated with Federal Correctional Institution, Dublin, City of Dublin, Alameda County, California The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), an agency of the U.S. Department of Justice, is responsible for carrying out judgements of the Federal courts whenever a period of confinement is ordered. Its mission is to protect society by confining offenders in the controlled environments of prisons and community-based facilities that are safe, humane, cost-efficient, and appropriately secure, and that provide work and other self-improvement opportunities to assist offenders in becoming law-abiding citizens. One of BOP’s strategic long-term goals is to maintain its facilities in an operationally sound condition and in compliance with security, safety and environmental requirements and standards. The BOP has determined that the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) located in Dublin, California (FCI Dublin), where most of the buildings and infrastructure were developed in the 1970s, is no longer needed to house inmates, requires substantial capital investment to meet standards, and is costly to operate and maintain. With that, operations at FCI Dublin ceased by April 2024 and the facility was vacated by December 2024, with the BOP transferring inmates and staff to other facilities within the Federal prison system. The BOP is proposing to permanently deactivate, close, and dispose of FCI Dublin, and to divest itself of the facility with custody and accountability for FCI Dublin transferred to the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) for ultimate disposition (the Proposed Action). Disposal of FCI Dublin will allow the BOP to accomplish its mission better, make more effective use of available resources, and provide for the continued safety and security of inmates, staff, and the public. Since the facility was vacated, the BOP has maintained only a small staff to perform minimal administrative and maintenance activities to ensure the facility is properly secured. FCI Dublin is a low-security correctional institution in Dublin, Alameda County, California 15 miles southeast of Oakland and 25 miles east of San Francisco. The facility resides on 87-acres of federal land once occupied by the U.S. Army’s Camp Parks in an unsectioned portion of the Rancho San Ramon Mexican Land Grant in Township 2 South, Range 1 East, Mount Diablo Baseline and Meridian. The property is regionally accessible via Interstate 580 and locally via Dougherty Road and 8th Street (see attached exhibits). The property comprising FCI Dublin is improved with over 40 primary buildings and associated structures and comprising approximately 304,000 square feet of floor space. The campus-style facility consists of administrative offices, inmate housing, master control, visitation, indoor and outdoor recreation, medical and dental units, kitchen and dining, vocational education, laundry, and maintenance among other functions and uses. All of the buildings were constructed with a Attachment 3 507 2 slab-on-grade concrete floor with metal frame or built up concrete walls with metal or shingle roofs. The transfer, lease, or sale of property out of Federal ownership or control is considered to be an action with the potential to significantly affect the quality of the human environment. Therefore, BOP is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) to ensure that the environmental consequences of the proposed action are thoroughly documented and that compliance is achieved with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other environmental statutes including the Clean Air Act of 1974; the Clean Water Act and Amendments, the Endangered Species Act of 1973; the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, among others. Preparation of NEPA documentation is being conducted to demonstrate that BOP has considered the potential environmental impacts during the decision-making process and to provide opportunities for the elected and appointed officials, Native American tribes, regulatory agencies, stakeholders and the public to voice their interests and provide input and comments concerning the proposed action. The BOP is the federal lead agency and will coordinate disposal of the property through the GSA. Following preparation of the EA, the document will be widely circulated to allow for public review with the comment period lasting no less than 30 calendar days. At that time, individuals with an interest in the proposed action will have an opportunity to review the analyses and offer additional information that should be considered by the BOP during the decision-making process. Following the end of the public comment period, the BOP will issue its decision as to whether it will or will not proceed with the proposed action, a decision that will consider all environmental analyses and public comments and be documented by a Finding of No Significant Impact as stipulated by the NEPA regulations. We appreciate your interest and welcome your input; please contact Rock Bortell, Site Selection Specialist concerning the proposed action and preparation of the EA at rbortell@bop.gov, or by phone at (202) 598-0931. Thank you for your cooperation. Sincerely, Kimberly S. Hudson, Chief Construction and Environmental Review Section Facilities Management Federal Bureau of Prisons Cc: R. Bortell, BOP R. Nardi, M. Amorelli, WSP Attachments: FCI Dublin Property Location FCI Dublin Property Layout 508 3 509 4 510 Resolution Formally Opposing the Reopening of FCI Dublin for Any Future Detention or Correctional Operations December 16, 2025 511 Background •November 18, 2025 -Council direction for this item. •FCI Dublin opened in 1974 as low-security federal corrections institute for women. •Numerous documented failures resulted in national scrutiny. •April 2024 –announced phased closure of FCI Dublin. •December 5, 2024 –facility fully closed. 512 Background, 2 •February 2025 –according to news reports, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials visited FCI Dublin site. •Ongoing protest activity since February. 513 City Actions •No form of detention operation is appropriate at the former FCI Dublin location. •City has engaged with federal partners regarding concerns. •Congressional representatives •Senate representatives •Two formal letters submitted to US. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). •April 4, 2025 –initial opposition letter •November 17, 2025 –Follow up letter after no response 514 Response from U.S. Bureau of Prisons •Two correspondences received from Federal BOP: •December 5, 2025 –letter from BOP Director in response to submitted letters. •December 10, 2025 –received an email with an attached letter advising of Federal BOP plan to dispose of FCI Dublin. •No response from DHS or other federal agencies. •No indication for future use of FCI Dublin. 515 Resolution for Consideration •Includes statements about the Dublin community •Is recognized as a desirable place in which to live •Comprises a large immigrant population •Champions a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion •Addresses the existence of public speculation about the potential for FCI Dublin to be repurposed for ICE. •Acknowledges that ICE presence can negatively impact residents’ interaction with the local community. •Summarizes the significant health and safety issues and inadequate infrastructure of FCI Dublin. •Points to the fact that the Bureau of Prisons deemed the facility unfit for active service. •Refers to the demonstrated public resistance to ICE presence in the community. •City Council opposes the reopening of FCI Dublin for any detention or correctional purposes. •Urges federal agencies to involve the City in future discussions regarding the property. 516 Recommendation •Adopt the Resolution Opposing the Reopening or Repurposing of the Former Federal Correctional Institution Dublin for Any Future Detention or Correctional Operations. •Questions? 517 December 16, 2025 SB 343 Senate Bill 343 mandates supplemental materials that have been received by the City Clerk’s office that relate to an agenda item after the agenda packets have been distributed to the City Council be available to the public. The attached documents were received in the City Clerk’s office after distribution of the December 16, 2025, Regular City Council meeting agenda packet. Item 8.3 518 519 Darlene Baker 520 December 16, 2025 Mayor Sherry Hu, sherry.hu@dublin.ca.gov Vice Mayor Kashef Qaadri, kashef.qaadri@dublin.ca.gov Councilmember Jean Josey, jean.josey@dublin.ca.gov Councilmember Michael McCorriston, Michael.mccorriston@dublin.ca.gov Councilmember John Morada, john.morada@dublin.ca.gov Re: Public hearing December 16, 2025 – FUTURE USE OF FCI DUBLIN FACILITY Dear Mayor and Councilmembers: My name is Darlene Baker. I live near Seattle, Washington. I was incarcerated inside the FCI Dublin Prison Camp from April 2022 – February 2023. During that time, I was sexually assaulted by former Medical Officer, Jeffrey Wilson. Wilson has pled guilty to one of many sexual assaults of Dublin victims, and is pending criminal sentencing set for January 29, 2026. Wilson is the 9th former Dublin officer convicted of sexually assaulting FCI Dublin incarcerated women. After reporting the sexual assault, I suffered severe retaliation by Dublin officers and staff. During this time, I served as a whistleblower, forwarding details of abuse and neglect to former Congresswoman Jackie Speiers who was actively investigating the “toxic culture” of Dublin. A group of us also signed releases for our records to be released prior to the U.S. Senate hearing in December 2022. Since my release, I have volunteered as an advocate with the Dublin Prison Solidarity Coalition and CCWP. This includes help with media. One of many comprehensive news reports was through News Nation: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=584861611303509. I was also part of the first wave of civil settlements reached last year with the Bureau of Prisons, totaling over $116M. I respectfully urge the Council to use every means available to ensure this facility is never opened again, including and especially use as an ICE facility housing vulnerable immigrants, many with language difficulties, limited advocacy and detention without due process. 1. The “toxic culture” at the Dublin “rape club” was hidden for decades by senior government officials. There are over 20 former Dublin officers who are still on paid leave, pending on-going criminal investigations—going on over three years now. I fear these officers may be rehired and ICE detainees placed at risk of continuing assaults and retaliation. Many of the senior government officials are still in place—in spite of covering up crimes occurring inside these walls for decades. The “toxic culture” has never been remedied. 521 2. While I was inside the Camp, I worked with fellow “Campers” who were employed as construction workers throughout the FCI Dublin campus, and made detailed whistleblower reports from these sources. The sources included trades such as electricians, plumbers, HVAC, and general maintenance. The FCI Dublin buildings are literally falling apart. When it rained, there were rivers of water flowing through the roof and onto the floors. There are huge leaks and black mold on the ceilings from the years of water damage. 3. There is asbestos throughout the buildings. The plumbers reported asbestos inside the water lines, which provides the drinking water for the facility. The workers were required to paint over the underlying asbestos on walls with black paint. When they discovered asbestos under a handicap shower, they were ordered to cover up this with new material. There is asbestos in the flooring material throughout the buildings and cell rooms. This was confirmed by an environmental inspection/report from a third party in February 2024. https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24534944-fci-dublin-mold-and-asbestos-report/ BOP was required to post notices of asbestos contamination on the front doors, which they did--for 1 day. After that, officials took the notices down. Any other entity would be required to remediate the asbestos, and confirm this with a third party inspection/report. The costs to remediate this contamination to make the facility fit for human living is exorbitant. 4. The sewer system is failing. There were regular leaks outside the Camp building, which flowed into the walking path and was an overwhelming nauseating smell. The kitchen pipes regularly overflowed sewage into the sinks and floor. There is a grease trap outside the kitchen. This also leaked and there was a river of waste flowing onto the grounds. 5. The hot water heaters above the main floor are insufficient to provide hot water for showers, and would need replacement and full updated re-plumbing throughout the buildings. 6. The kitchen equipment is old and non-functioning. The freezers regularly broke and the meat and frozen items within would defrost, then staff would refreeze the items. These thawed items would be served to incarcerated persons in spite of the contamination. The dry storage is filled with rat and bug contamination. While I was inside the Camp, the kitchen was closed after failing multiple Health inspections. 7. There is black mold inside the sleeping cells, from years of leaks around the windows and walls. The HVAC vents inside the rooms collect black debris from contaminated furnace and pipes. Around 75% of the Dublin residents suffered from asthma and allergies, from breathing the contaminated air. There is no air conditioning system, which is a hazard during the California heat waves. 8. Over the years, many of our families/advocates reported these hazards to both federal and local health district offices. The impression was that this facility was permitted to be exempt from oversight and inspection by any health/environmental authority, including City of Dublin authority. 522 9. Former BOP Assistant Director, William Lothrop, cited in federal court testimony in 2024 that the cost to repair the FCI Dublin facilities are estimated to be in the “tens of millions of dollars.” https://www.ktvu.com/news/judge-slams-bop-trying-dismiss-fci-dublin-case-grills-deputy-director Based upon my experience over the past several years, it is likely federal officials would ignore this remediation and continue to place humans in these hazardous conditions. I urge Council members to make a firm statement—the Bay area will not permit any detention of human beings in a facility in their back yard with these egregious and well-documented hazards. Some tools may include consideration of ordinance powers re: health and safety, health department scrutiny, local police/fire/medic unavailability, etc. The beautiful City of Dublin should shine a beacon of light and loudly proclaim that they will no longer tolerate being the home of the “Dublin Rape Club.” Respectfully yours, /s/ DARLENE BAKER 523 524