WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Independent Women’s Forum (IWF) announced the release of Tomeikia Johnson’s story in the eighth episode of its exclusive docu-series, Cruel & Unusual Punishment: The Male Takeover of Female Prisons. In this episode, Johnson describes the trauma she faces from being forced to live with male inmates after suffering from domestic abuse that led to her incarceration in the first place, making rehabilitation difficult.
In 2020, California lawmakers passed SB 132 into law, which allows for men to self-identify into women’s prisons. Of the male offenders who claim a female identity, Johnson said, “We’ve given them a chance. They destroyed the opportunity to ever have us have faith in them being here for the right reasons, with the right intentions.”
Forcing female inmates to endure incarceration with predatory males subjects them to violence, intimidation, and continuous trauma. Many incarcerated women are survivors of abuse in need of rehabilitation, which is why Johnson called SB 132 a “program failure.”
In IWF’s documentary, Johnson says in, part:
“California has re-abused me, re-traumatized me. It’s like I’m fighting every inch of the system to keep my sanity so I never come back…my own personal trigger is constantly reintroduced into my psyche, into my nervous system, into my world, every day.”
Click HERE to watch Tomiekia Johnson’s story.
As a former law enforcement official and survivor of abuse, Johnson will continue to fight for the preservation of same-sex spaces that are necessary for true rehabilitation and security for women. In 2021, the Women’s Liberation Front (WoLF) filed a lawsuit on behalf of Johnson and other female inmates. Despite this setback, WoLF, a proud partner of IWF, remains committed to pursuing justice for Johnson and her fellow female inmates. On July 19, 2024, they filed an amended complaint that is now before the court and is awaiting a response from the state and intervenors.
IWF’s Storytelling Manager and co-producer of the series, Andrea Mew, said, “Tomiekia Johnson’s testimony should alert legislators nationwide to re-examine the human cost of policies like SB 132. Hearing Tomiekia’s accounts of constant anxiety and the harassment and abuse faced by female inmates from male inmates is eye-opening. Her frustration and pain reveal a betrayal by a system meant to protect her. Women like Tomiekia are fighting for their safety and dignity daily when they really need the ability to focus on reforming and reintegrating into society. California must recognize this hypocrisy and protect the women in its custody.”
IWF’s Storytelling Director and co-producer of the series, Kelsey Bolar, said, “Tomiekia Johnson was one of the very first female inmates to raise concerns about inhumane prison policies forcing her and fellow female inmates to reside alongside biological men. Despite filing formal complaints, filing a lawsuit against the state, and sharing her horrific story with the media, more than a decade later, Johnson is still being forced to serve her time behind bars alongside biological men. In this regard, Johnson’s story is one for the history books—and history won’t remember those who are subjecting her and other female inmates to this form of cruel and unusual punishment fondly.”
WoLF’s Legal Director, Lauren Bone, said, “Men in women’s prisons are an obvious threat, a reality faced by our plaintiffs and thousands of incarcerated women across the country. Litigation is critical to hold states accountable, and women like Tomiekia and our other five plaintiffs are truly courageous for standing up to public officials for violating women’s human rights.”
BACKGROUND:
As more states allow men who identify as women into women’s prisons, few are aware of the harmful fallout. Women with histories of trauma and domestic abuse are forced to share their most private and intimate spaces with intact males—many of whom are violent, sexual predators serving time for heinous crimes.
Allowing male offenders to reside in women’s prisons is dangerous and unfair. Put simply, it’s cruel and unusual punishment. These stories stand as a testament to why biological sex matters, especially in institutional settings. Incarcerated women need and deserve female-only spaces. Anything less is a violation of their most basic human rights.
The eradication of single-sex prisons is harming female inmates.
In this documentary mini-series, IWF brings voices to light who detail the untold, gruesome story about what’s been happening to female inmates behind closed doors. As more and more prison systems allow males to declare themselves “women” and opt to be housed in facilities meant for females, the voices of those most affected deserve to be heard.
Watch the Cruel & Unusual Punishment: The Male Takeover of Female Prisons trailer HERE. Each episode of this ongoing short documentary series produced by IWF, varying from 5 to 10 minutes in length, will be released individually over the coming weeks, with episodes available to the public for free on YouTube.
Direct media inquiries and booking requests to [email protected].
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Independent Women’s Forum is dedicated to developing and advancing policies that aren’t just well intended, but actually enhance people’s freedom, choices, and opportunities.