The Dublin Prison Solidarity Coalition (DPSC) celebrates the clemency grants for four Dublin prison survivors, two of whom received commutations of life sentences. We believe that all survivors of Dublin staff sexual abuse deserve clemency and we will continue to fight for their freedom.
"I am very grateful for the commuting of my sentence by President Biden. I will cherish being reunited with my daughter @MiquelleWest for the rest of my life. Love and gratitude to everyone at CCWP who supported the #FreeMichelleWest movement and #DublinSurvivors. The struggle continues..."
— Michelle West
We thank everyone who supported the effort to win clemency for survivors in the past few months. We offer our heartfelt gratitude to all who sent emails and letters to President Biden, to those who called and texted the White House, to each of you who encouraged others to advocate for clemency for Dublin survivors.
Dublin survivor Michelle West was granted presidential clemency on January 19, 2025. The White House statement noted her remarkable personal transformation and widespread support from social justice organizations and lawmakers. Formerly serving a life sentence, Ms. West’s sentence is now set to expire February 18, 2025, after more than 31 years of incarceration.
Dublin Survivors Francisca Vargas and Theadora Zazweta were among the 2,500 people granted clemency on January 17, 2025 for sentence disparities in non-violent drug offenses. Formerly serving a life sentence, Ms. Vargas' sentence was commuted to 280 months, and according to the BOP locator, her release date will be August 8, 2025. Ms. Zazweta's sentence was commuted to completion on July 17, 2025, more than 3 years ahead of the previous release date in October 2028.
“I’m in shock, still I can't even imagine me getting [clemency] in a million years. I'm so thankful for all of you and appreciate every thing that you did for me... I really feel that words can't explain how I feel for this to have happened... I appreciate you so much.”
— Theadora Zazweta
Survivors West and Vargas were incarcerated at FCI Dublin up until the date of the chaotic closure in April 2024. Ms. Zazweta had been transferred to a minimum-security federal prison camp in Bryan, Texas three months earlier to attend an RDAP (residential drug abuse program) which she had already completed once previously. All three are expected to return to their families upon release.
According to the Pardon Attorney's website, Dublin Survivor Kathy Funtilo was granted clemency on December 12th and released on December 20, 2024.
Of the 69 pending clemency petitions submitted by Dublin Survivors, four were granted, 20 remained pending, and 44 were denied on January 20th, 2025. One other case was closed administratively on January 5, 2025 for an applicant who was released to a halfway house.
Trump’s Transphobic Policies Inside BOP Facilities
We are horrified to hear that Trump has issued an executive order directing federal prisons to house transgender women in men’s facilities and halt medical treatments related to gender transition. Attorneys and organizations within our coalition have started to hear deeply concerning reports, especially from FMC Carswell in Texas, where quite a few Dublin survivors are currently incarcerated. Please feel free to email us with any reports you are hearing, and stay tuned for ways we can support people inside.
Class Action Lawsuit — Next Steps!
Our class action lawsuit will soon have an important hearing where the proposed consent decree will be discussed. We will reach out as soon as the date is confirmed. We plan to pack the room of the Oakland courthouse and will keep you posted if there’s an online option.
Contact us at: dublinprisonsolidarity@gmail.com