March 5, 2025
AFPI Legal Demand: Protecting Women’s Rights in Washington Prisons
At the America First Policy Institute, we are steadfast in our commitment to defending the rights of all Americans, including those who are often overlooked—female inmates in our nation’s correctional facilities. Today, we sent a legal demand letter to Washington Department of Corrections (DOC) Secretary Tim Lang and Superintendent Charlotte Headley of the Washington Corrections Center for Women (WCCW). Our message was clear: The DOC’s policy of housing male inmates in female facilities is unconstitutional, unsafe, and must be reversed immediately.
3/17/25 - UPDATE: The DOC replied to our letter last week, doubling down on their outrageous policies. They dismissed the female inmate complaints, saying they encounter male staff, visitors and volunteers daily. Completely missing the problem of male “inmates” in their private spaces. The implication? Stop complaining. They also cited stats claiming transgender men are more likely to be victimized when incarcerated with other men. Even if this is true, it shows the Washington DOC to be more concerned with the safety of male inmates while turning a blind eye to the safety of their female inmates.
The Issue at Stake
For months, the nonprofit civil rights organization Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism (FAIR) has been advocating for the rights of female inmates at WCCW. Since July 2024, at least 51 women have filed internal complaints detailing the dangers they face due to Washington’s policy allowing male inmates—some of whom are violent offenders—to be housed in female prisons. These women are experiencing harassment, trauma, and even sexual abuse at the hands of individuals who should not be in their facility in the first place.
Despite repeated warnings and formal complaints, the DOC has failed to act and has left these women vulnerable. FAIR has:
✅ Sent multiple formal letters to the DOC
✅ Held meetings with DOC officials
✅ Notified the Washington Attorney General’s office
✅ Contacted the Washington Department of Corrections Ombuds
✅ Filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice
Yet, the DOC refuses to grant relief or change its dangerous policy.
A New Legal Landscape: Executive Order 14168
Since FAIR first raised these concerns, a new federal directive has been issued: Executive Order 14168, “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.” This executive order reaffirms what should be common sense: biological men do not belong in women’s spaces. The policy at WCCW directly contradicts these new federal guidelines and must be updated accordingly.
A Real and Present Danger
The risks posed by these policies are not theoretical. The DOC has already faced lawsuits over sexual harassment and abuse by male inmates housed in WCCW, including a 6’4” convicted sex offender who was placed in a female facility. How many more women need to suffer before the DOC acknowledges its failure?
Even more telling, the DOC recently transferred male inmate Nathan Gonin (aka Nonnie Lotusflower) out of WCCW, demonstrating that they recognize the security risks—yet they refuse to implement a blanket policy change. This inconsistency further exposes their flawed decision-making.
AFPI’s Call to Action
We are demanding immediate action from Washington’s DOC:
🔹 End the housing of male inmates in female facilities.
🔹 Implement policies that comply with Executive Order 14168.
🔹 Ensure the safety and dignity of incarcerated women.
If the DOC fails to act, litigation is on the table. These women have exhausted all internal grievance procedures, leaving no other recourse. AFPI stands with them, ready to fight for their rights.
Washington’s leaders must choose: Protect vulnerable women or face legal consequences.
What You Can Do
📢 Raise Awareness – Share this story on social media and demand action.
📨 Contact Washington’s DOC – Let them know that housing men in women’s prisons is unacceptable. (Address on our letter)
📝 Support Litigation Efforts – Follow AFPI’s legal actions and stand with us in the fight for justice.