Key developments: Faith Booher‑Smith has sued Washington state after alleging she was assaulted in August 2025 by Christopher Williams, a male‑born inmate housed in a women's prison under the state's gender‑identity housing policy. The complaint says Williams had a prior violent history and that staff warnings were ignored. Booher‑Smith seeks damages and an order blocking the policy, arguing it creates unsafe conditions for female inmates.
Inmate Sues Washington After Alleged Assault By Male‑Born Prisoner Housed Under Gender‑Identity Policy
Female inmate sues Washington state after alleged attack by male-born prisoner in women's facility
A female inmate at the Washington Corrections Center for Women has filed a federal lawsuit after she says she was assaulted in August 2025 by a male‑born prisoner who had been transferred into the women's facility under the state's gender‑identity housing policy.
Allegations and Injuries
Faith Booher‑Smith, the plaintiff, alleges in the complaint that inmate Christopher Williams — described in the filing as a 6‑foot‑4, "biologically intact" male and a convicted sex offender who had identified as female — approached her from behind in a common area, struck her in the face, grabbed her hair, threw her to the floor and then kicked her repeatedly. The suit says Booher‑Smith sustained visible injuries, including facial bruising, swelling and a laceration inside her mouth.
"She was violently attacked," the complaint states.
Policy Dispute
The lawsuit, backed by the Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism (FAIR) and supported by the America First Policy Institute, argues the assault was a predictable consequence of a corrections policy that permits placement based primarily on gender identity rather than biological sex. Plaintiffs contend the "gender‑affirming housing" process relies heavily on self‑identification and contains limited objective safeguards before approving transfers into female facilities.
A handcuffed man stands behind prison bars.(Getty Images)
Warnings, Prior Complaints, And Staff Response
According to the complaint, corrections staff at a prior facility warned against transferring Williams because of a history of violence, but those warnings were not followed. The suit also says another inmate filed a complaint under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) alleging misconduct by Williams and that aspects of that claim were substantiated. The complaint further alleges a corrections officer who was present during the incident froze and did not intervene as the assault unfolded.
Aftermath And Legal Claims
Booher‑Smith reports ongoing physical pain, anxiety and trauma following the incident and says she has sought medical and mental‑health treatment. She is seeking monetary damages and a court order that would block the state's gender‑identity housing policy, arguing it creates unsafe conditions for female inmates and violates the Constitution. The filing asserts the incident was not isolated and cites prior complaints and legal filings to argue state officials were on notice about risks associated with the policy.
Responses And Case Status
The Washington Department of Corrections declined to comment on pending litigation but confirmed Williams was transferred out of the Washington Corrections Center for Women last October and is now incarcerated at Stafford Creek Corrections Center. Fox News Digital reported reaching out to organizations named in and connected to the lawsuit; the ACLU of Washington and the America First Policy Institute were also contacted for comment.
The case will proceed in federal court, where a judge will consider the claimed constitutional and safety issues tied to the state's housing policy.
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