The life of a correctional officer is one of constant vigilance, working every day surrounded by some of the most dangerous criminals in society. These officers dedicate their lives to maintaining order, protecting inmates, and ensuring public safety. But what happens when the system that is supposed to protect them fails?

On the night of January 20, 2024, Katie Jackson, a correctional officer at Sierra Conservation Center, endured a horrific attack that should have never been allowed to happen. Due to multiple security failures, a level-four inmate, Emmy Ransom, gained access to Facility C’s control booth—an area that should have been completely secure. For four agonizing hours, Katie was held hostage at gunpoint, strangled, beaten, and raped repeatedly. She was alone, with no hope of rescue, while her fellow officers remained unaware of the terror unfolding inside the facility.

But the nightmare didn’t end when she managed to alert her supervisors. Instead of being treated as a victim, Katie was treated like a suspect. She was denied medical attention for nearly six hours, ignored by those who should have been protecting her, and left to seek out counseling and treatment on her own in the months that followed. When an inmate is injured inside a California prison, they are immediately transported to a local hospital for medical care. Yet when a correctional officer was brutally assaulted, she was given nothing but silence and suspicion.

This failure was not just one of security—it was a failure of leadership, a failure of policy, and a failure of basic human decency. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation prioritized ineffective rehabilitation strategies over officer safety, and Katie paid the price. Now, she is standing up—not just for herself, but for every correctional officer who risks their life in these dangerous conditions.

Katie is fighting for justice. She is seeking accountability from CDCR for its negligence and inaction. She is demanding financial compensation not just for her own suffering, but to ensure that no officer ever has to endure what she went through. More importantly, she is calling for real, systemic change to prioritize the safety of correctional officers and prevent future tragedies like hers.

This case is a wake-up call. No correctional officer should ever be left defenseless against violent criminals. No officer should ever be ignored or mistreated after surviving such a horrific ordeal. Katie’s fight is not just about her—it is about every officer who puts their life on the line, only to be abandoned by the very system they serve.

Her courage in coming forward and telling her story is a testament to her strength. Now, it’s up to all of us to make sure her voice is heard. Share this video. Demand accountability. Stand with Katie as she fights for justice and change.