CALIFORNIA WOMEN’S PRISONS SEX ABUSE LAWYERS

Representing Women Sexually Assaulted in California Correctional Facilities

Levy Konigsberg proudly represents hundreds of women who were sexually assaulted in various prisons, jails and correctional facilities. We are one of the nation’s leading law firms in sex abuse cases, and have earned national recognition for our many lawsuits filed in New York for female inmates. We are using our experience and resources to bring the same caliber of counsel and representation to current and former inmates in California, too.

If you were sexually abused in a California jail or prison, call (800) 315-3806 now. You could have a limited amount of time to act, so don’t delay.

Experienced Law Firm for California Women’s Prison Abuse Lawsuits

At Levy Konigsberg, our team of California prison sex abuse attorneys is currently investigating many different sex abuse cases at women’s prisons in California. We are able to bring a lawsuit against the most powerful prisons and government institutions. Contact us for the powerful legal counsel you need to pursue justice and compensation against the correctional officers who perpetrated sex crimes as well as the prison system that covered up these offenses.

Sex Abuse at Valley State Prison for Women

In the 1990s, rampant sexual abuse was uncovered at Valley State Prison for Women (VSPW) due to an investigation by Amnesty International. Countless female inmates had complained of male prison staff members who watched them undress and groped them during pat-down searches. There were also many reports of prison guards using sexually charged language to humiliate and intimidate inmates, and rampant abuse of inmates by staff.

Sexual abuse of women at VSPW continued to occur throughout the 1990s and up through 2013, when the prison converted to an all-male facility. Survivors of sexual abuse at VSPW may still be able to seek financial compensation based on new laws in California that open new legal pathways for claims that would otherwise be barred by the statute of limitations. It is important to speak to experienced legal counsel about your legal rights based on current laws and possible changes in the law that may expand the rights of adult sexual abuse survivors to seek financial compensation.

Learn more about Valley State Prison for Women (VSPW) sex abuse claims.

Sex Abuse of Women at Federal Correctional Institution Dublin

Dozens of women who spent time behind bars at Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Dublin have come forward with accusations of sexual abuse and rape. Abuse was so widespread that it is alleged staff members formed a “rape club” that was solely formed to sexually abuse and rape inmates. Yet prison administrators did nothing to protect the women in FCI Dublin.

Since June 2021, five FCI Dublin employees have been charged with sexually abusing inmates in what investigators have called one of the worst documented cases of staff-on-inmate sex abuse in a women’s federal prison. All have pleaded or been found guilty, and several have been sentenced:

• In February 2023, former prison food service foreman Enrique Chavez was sentenced to 20 months in federal prison for sexually abusing an inmate in the prison’s food pantry in 2020.
• In December 2022, former FCI Dublin warden Ray Garcia was convicted of molesting inmates and forcing them to pose for nude photos.
• In August 2022, James Theodore Highhouse, who worked as a chaplain at the prison, was sentenced to 7 years in prison for sexually abusing multiple female inmates.

Female inmates at FCI Dublin are now taking legal action. Even if the sexual abuse occurred years or decades ago, you should still contact an experienced attorney to understand your legal rights.

More information about FCI Dublin sexual abuse lawsuits.

More information about FCI Dublin sexual abuse cases and lawsuits:

• “Dozens of women detail rape and retaliation at Dublin prison, real reform questioned”
• “Federal women’s prison in California fostered culture of abuse, inmates say”
• “Fifth BOP Staffer Arrested in ‘Rape Club’ at California Federal Prison”

Sex Abuse at Central California Women’s Facility

Female inmates at the Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla, California, have alleged long-standing incidents of sexual abuse at the prison. Many women have explained that they endured frequent sexual abuse, retaliation for reporting abuse, and a lack of support from prison officials during investigations of their claims. Many of these abuse allegations and human rights violations were documented in a report from the non-profit Prison Law Office in 2016.

Now, victims of sexual abuse at CCWF may not have opportunities to seek justice under new laws in California that may allow older claims to go forward. Even if the sexual abuse occurred years or decades ago, our team of Levy Konigsberg is available to review your eligibility.

Learn more about CCWF sex abuse lawsuits and how we can help.

More information about CCWF sex abuse lawsuits:

• “Documents reveal sexual abuse at California women’s prisons”
• “2 female inmates allege they were used as bait to catch predatory guard at California prison”

Sex Abuse at California Institution for Women

In 2017, three officers at the California Institution for Women (CIW) in San Bernardino County were accused of sexually assaulting female inmates. The security officers attempted to use the defense of consent to justify their actions. However, California law makes it impossible for an inmate to legally consent to sexual actions with someone who is in a position of power over them, such as prison guards and administrators. Due to this legal rule, all women who were sexually abused at the California Institution for Women could have valid lawsuits to file against the facility for failing to protect them.

Learn more about CIW sex abuse lawsuits and how we can help.

Recent Report of Woman Sexually Abused at Metropolitan Detention Center – Los Angeles

In 2022, a Bureau of Prisons (BOP) officer employed at the Metropolitan Detention Center – Los Angeles (MDC-LA) pled guilty to rape charges. He had been charged with sexually assaulting a female inmate who was sick from COVID-19. The BOP officer will be sentenced in 2023 and could face up to 10 years in prison for the attack.

The incident at MDC-LA is the only case that has been brought to trial. Yet it was surely not the only sexual assault that occurred on the prison grounds. Women who have been sexually abused while at MDC-LA are encouraged to act now and share their stories. Justice and compensation could be owed to them based on new laws designed to empower sexual assault survivors.

More information about MDC-LA sexual assault cases:

• “BOP Corrections Officer Pleads Guilty to Sexual Assault of Woman in Federal Custody in Los Angeles”
• “Former guard at LA federal lockup, accused of rape of inmate, pleads guilty”

Pattern of Sexual Abuse of Women at San Joaquin County Jail

In late 2021, a California correctional officer was indicted on several counts of sexual assault against female inmates of San Joaquin County Jail. He was accused of numerous acts of sexual violence against the inmates, as well as making attempts to cover up the attacks by the threat of force or intimidation. Earlier in the year, a separate office at San Joaquin County Jail was indicted for the sexual assault of several female inmates.

The pattern of sexual assault against female inmates at San Joaquin County Jail indicates that there is a much larger problem at the jail. It is believed that intentional ignorance or negligence on behalf of jail administrators enabled the guards to commit their crimes. New laws in California could give women who were sexually assaulted at San Joaquin County Jail a legal avenue to pursue compensation, even if an attack happened years or even decades ago.

Sex Abuse of Women Reported at Century Regional Detention Facility

Several women who were incarcerated at Century Regional Detention Facility – Lynwood have brought complaints that allege widespread sexual assault at the facility. According to the accusations, both guards and medical staff members “preyed” on the women using “toxic power dynamics.” To receive the security and medical attention owed to them, the women had to engage in sexual acts, or face punishments and humiliation. The Prison Rape Elimination Act prevents consent to occur between an inmate and a guard or person of authority, so none of the sexual encounters could be legal, even if consent was argued by the defense.

The power dynamics that enabled the sexual assaults at Century Regional Detention Facility – Lynwood are important. It is believed that the assaults could have been covered up by administrators or department leads. New laws in California may allow lawsuits for sexual assaults that happened outside the typical statute of limitations for the state. It is important to learn about your legal rights by contacting experienced legal counsel.

Learn more about CRDF sex abuse lawsuits and how we can help.

Sex Abuse of Female Inmates at Twin Towers Jail

In May 2013, the U.S. Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) published findings from a national survey of inmates, which is mandated under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). The survey was conducted between February 2011 and May 2012 and included more than 94,000 inmates at 233 state and federal prisons and 358 local jails across the country, including Twin Towers.

The survey – “Sexual Victimization in Prisons and Jails Reported by Inmates” – found that Twin Towers was among the worst in the nation when it comes to inmates alleging sexual abuse. Some key findings from the report include:

• 8% of respondents at Twin Towers complained of “sexual victimization” – more than twice the national average of 3.2%.
• 4.4% of the reported incidents of sexual victimization involved deputies and jail staff – nearly three times the 1.8% national average for staff-on-inmate abuse.
• Only five other jails across the country reported higher than 8% of sexual assault allegations.

If you are a former female inmate who was sexually abused by deputies or staff at Twin Towers Jail, you may be eligible to pursue compensation – even if the abuse occurred years or decades ago. Levy Konigsberg is actively investigating Twin Towers sexual abuse lawsuits from women incarcerated at the facility at any time in the past.

How Our California Prison Sex Abuse Lawyers Can Help

Filing a sex abuse lawsuit against a government entity is extremely difficult. When the plaintiff is a prisoner or former inmate, the challenges will be even greater. Levy Konigsberg is here to make sure that women who have been sexually abused in a California prison has the chance to stand up for themselves and seek financial compensation. We can handle all parts of your case and lend our experience and strength to you as we act on your behalf.

When working on a California prison sex abuse case, we can help with:

• Investigating the incident and others at the correctional facility.
• Conducting witness and expert interviews.
• Creating the claim and completing legal research.
• Entering settlement negotiations with the defendant.
• Litigating in court when a settlement is not reached.

Call Our California Prison Sex Abuse Attorneys Now

There is no time to lose. If you were sexually assaulted at a California prison, then you could have a narrow window to file a claim for justice and compensation. Let Levy Konigsberg and our prison sexual assault lawyers know what happened by dialing (800) 315-3806. You can also fill out an online contact form if you prefer.

California Prison Sex Abuse FAQ

• Can I sue if the sexual encounter in prison was consensual? Sexual encounters between inmates and a person of authority, such as guards, medics, and other staff members, cannot be consensual under the law, even if both parties admit to allowing the encounter. For this reason, you likely still have a valid claim if the defendant tries to argue that the sexual encounter was consensual.
• Can I sue if the facility where I was abused closed? New laws in California may allow claims for prison sexual abuse in California even if the facility that enabled the abuse has been shut down. It is important to speak to experienced legal counsel to find out about your legal rights.
• Can I sue if I never filed a formal complaint at the prison? Yes, you can pursue a California prison sex abuse lawsuit if you never filed a formal complaint at the prison. Many of the inmates and former inmates that we have worked with in the past did not create a formal complaint due to fear of retaliation.
• Can I sue if the guard who abused me was never charged? Yes, the civil lawsuit that you can file and the evidence that you use in it are not dependent on any criminal justice proceedings against the offender. In other words, your lawsuit could be valid if the abusive officer was never charged, or was charged but found not guilty.