NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
A female inmate in Washington state is suing corrections officials after she was brutally assaulted by a male inmate housed in a female facility under the state’s gender identity policy.
Faith Booher-Smith, who is incarcerated at the Washington Corrections Center for Women, alleges that she was “violently assaulted” by inmate Christopher Williams, a convicted sex offender who was transferred to prison after identifying as a woman.
According to the complaint, the August 2025 assault occurred in a common area where Williams allegedly approached Booher-Smith from behind, punched her in the face, grabbed her by the hair and knocked her to the ground before “kicking her repeatedly.”
He suffered visible injuries, including bruises on his face, swelling and a cut on his mouth, the report said.
MY CLAIMANT WAS ARRESTED IN A CAGE, BEATEN BY A BIOLOGICAL MALE IN A WOMEN’S PRISON. WHAT ABOUT HIS RIGHTS?
A handcuffed man stands behind the prison bars. (Getty Images)
The lawsuit, supported by the Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism (FAIR) and supported by the America First Policy Institute, says the attack was a predictable result of a policy that allows prisoners to be housed based on gender identity rather than natural sex.
“The accommodation of these prisoners with women… has led to many incidents of violence and sexual harassment against women,” the complaint said.
At the center of the case is a policy in Washington that allows inmates to request placement in so-called “gender affirmative housing.” According to the filing, that program allows male inmates to transfer to women’s facilities and in some cases share cells, bathrooms and showers with female inmates.
‘Shocked’ and ‘Hurt’: WALZ’S SUPPORT FOR TRANS WOMEN IN MINNESOTA WOMEN’S PRISON ‘PUTS’ PRISONERS IN DANGER
The complaint says the policy relies heavily on identification, with limited requirements for intent to transfer.
Williams, described in the filing as a 6-foot-4 man who was “bloody unhealthy” and convicted of child rape, was transferred to a women’s facility despite previous concerns about his behavior, according to the lawsuit.
A disciplinary officer at the former facility had warned about the transfer because of Williams’ history of violence, the complaint says — warnings that were not followed.
TRUMP LOOKS TO KEEP TRANS PRISON BREAKING AS NEW ACTING FEDERAL PRISONS CHIEF FIRED
Exterior of Washington Corrections Center for Women in Gig Harbor with barbed wire fence and prison buildings (Google Maps)
Booher-Smith says she had seen Williams looking at her in the weeks before the incident and tried to avoid him. He says the attack happened suddenly while he was heating food, leaving him with little chance to defend himself.
This case also raises questions about the responses of the staff, they say that the prison police officer who was present when the incident happened stopped and did not intervene during the beating.
FOLLOW US ON X
Afterward, Booher-Smith reported continued pain and anxiety and trauma, according to the filing, which says she has since sought treatment for the emotional impact of the assault.
TWO TRANS PRISONERS RETURNED TO CIVIL PRISONS WOMAN IN TRIAL COURSE APPOINTED JUDGE AGAIN
He is seeking damages and an injunction to block the policy, saying it violates the Constitution by putting female inmates in unsafe conditions.
GET NEWS VIA EMAIL
An interior view of the Washington Corrections Center for Women in Gig Harbor, Washington. (Washington State Department of Corrections)
The lawsuit argues that the incident was not an isolated one, alleging that the women at the facility were “harassed, intimidated, intimidated, or sexually assaulted by male inmates who live with them.”
It also points to previous complaints and lawsuits involving other inmates, arguing state officials were alerted to the potential risks associated with the policy.
BIDEN’S TRANS POLICIES ‘ENCOURAGE PRISON RAPTURE’ AND ALLEGED ‘CHILD VIOLENCE,’ MILLER LEAVES WORLD.
“In prison, where inmates cannot escape the conditions imposed by the government, women are forced to remain in a dangerous situation at all times,” the complaint said.
The National Review previously reported that Williams was accused of sexually abusing female inmates and had a prior conviction involving a minor, as well as a history of violent behavior.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
The newspaper also reported that another inmate filed a complaint under the Prison Rape Elimination Act complaining about Williams’ misconduct, and that prison officials said there were issues with those allegations.
The Washington Department of Corrections told Fox News Digital it does not comment on pending cases. The agency also confirmed that Williams was transferred from Washington Corrections Center for Women last October and is currently being held at Stafford Creek Corrections Center.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the ACLU of Washington and the America First Policy Institute for comment.
