Executive Summary
- Zoe Rosenberg was released from Sonoma County jail on Christmas Eve to finish her sentence on house arrest.
- The activist was convicted for a 2023 incident involving the removal of chickens from a Perdue subsidiary.
- Officials cited good behavior and medical complications, including Type 1 diabetes, as factors for the early release.
- Rosenberg is subject to strict confinement terms, including a ban on visitors and limited weekly movement.
Zoe Rosenberg, a 23-year-old animal rights activist and University of California, Berkeley student, was released from the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility on Christmas Eve to serve the remainder of her sentence under house arrest. Rosenberg had been serving a 90-day sentence following her conviction for removing four chickens from a Petaluma-area poultry processing facility in June 2023.
According to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, Rosenberg’s jail time was reduced by half due to good behavior. During her sentencing on December 3, the presiding judge stipulated that the final 60 days of the term could be satisfied through jail alternatives. Consequently, she will complete the duration of her sentence confined to her Berkeley apartment.
Officials indicated that medical complications likely influenced the decision to transition Rosenberg to home confinement. Rosenberg suffers from Type 1 diabetes, a condition requiring a complex daily management routine. Reports state her health deteriorated prior to her October trial, necessitating the use of a feeding tube. Supporters, including celebrities Joaquin Phoenix and Moby, had publicly advocated for her release, citing these health risks.
The conviction stems from an incident at a Petaluma Poultry facility, a subsidiary of Perdue Foods. Prosecutors stated that Rosenberg’s actions resulted in over $100,000 in damages to the facility. While the defense characterized the act as an “open rescue,” Perdue has pursued civil litigation against the organization Direct Action Everywhere (DxE), alleging a “campaign of terror” against its operations.
Under the terms of her release, Rosenberg faces strict restrictions. She is prohibited from receiving visitors and is permitted only two hours per week to leave her residence for essential grocery shopping. Despite the prosecution’s initial request for a six-month jail term, she served approximately two weeks in custody before her release.
Judicial & Correctional Oversight
The early release of Rosenberg highlights the discretionary powers available to correctional authorities when balancing punitive sentencing with inmate health and safety requirements. While the court signaled a firm stance against the “open rescue” tactics employed by activist groups through the initial conviction, the administrative shift to electronic monitoring or house arrest reflects standard protocols for managing non-violent offenders with significant medical vulnerabilities. This case underscores the ongoing tension between agricultural security interests and the operational realities of the penal system. It is important to note that regarding the civil allegations mentioned in the context of the broader legal dispute, all individuals and organizations are presumed innocent until proven liable in a court of law.
