California Institute for Women Sex Abuse Lawsuits

This page will look at civil lawsuits for sexual abuse of female prisoners at the California Institution for Women (CIW) in Chino. Inmates at CIW have been subjected to sexual abuse at the hands of correctional officers through threats and coercion. Many inmates have also been sexually abused by the prison OB-GYN during medical exams.

Our firm is currently accepting new CIW sex abuse cases. If you were sexually abused or assaulted at CIW prison, contact our California sex abuse lawyers today at 800-553-8082 or contact us online.

About the California Institution for Women (CIW)

The California Institution for Women (CIW) is a prison for females and “non-binary” inmates. CIW covers a campus of 120 acres and is located in the Chino (famous for its male prison and death row), which is in San Bernadino County, California.

CIW has 3 levels of security. The minimum security wing houses inmates in open dorms, with no perimeter security. Medium security inmates at also housed in dorms, but with a security fence and armed guards. The maximum security inmates are held in cells with full security.

CIW was designed to accommodate 1,400 inmates, but it is chronically overcrowded and usually holds over 2,100 inmates at any given time. CIW is located about 1 hour east of Los Angeles. The facility dates back to 1952 and has hosted many famous and infamous inmates, included all of the female members of the “Manson Family” following their convictions for the murder of actress Sharon Tate.

Sexual Abuse of Inmates at By Guards at CIW

A number of investigative news reports published in 2023 revealed that female inmates in the California prison system were habitually subjected to sexual abuse by correctional officers. The reports focused on sexual abuse at 2 female correctional facilities: CIW and the women’s prison in Chowchilla (commonly known as “Chowchilla women’s prison”).

According to these reports, inmates at CIW were routinely subjected to sexual abuse and assault by correctional officers and staff. These reports encouraged numerous former inmates who had suffered abuse at CIW and Chowchilla to come forward and share their experiences.

In January 2023, a civil lawsuit was filed against the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on behalf of more than 100 former inmates who had been victims of sexual abuse at both CIW and at Chowchilla. The lawsuit alleged that correctional officers exploited their positions of power to coerce female inmates into performing sexual acts against their will. In some cases, inmates were physically restrained and raped.

Correctional officers at CIW allegedly used their authority to silence victims and prevent reports of abuse. They employed threats of physical violence and verbal intimidation to discourage inmates from speaking out or filing complaints, allowing the cycle of abuse to continue unchecked. The allegations include instances of rape, forced sexual acts, and verbal harassment by correctional officers, highlighting a pervasive culture of abuse and intimidation within these institutions.

Sexual Abuse of Inmates at CIW By Dr. Scott Lee

For years, incarcerated women at the California Institution for Women (CIW) suffered sexual abuse and medical neglect at the hands of Dr. Scott Lee, the prison’s sole gynecologist from 2016 to 2023. Despite years of complaints about his misconduct—including sexual assault, excessive and unnecessary pelvic exams, and retaliatory denial of care—the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and the California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) failed to take action.

Allegations Against Dr. Lee

According to multiple plaintiffs, Dr. Lee engaged in horrific and predatory behavior during gynecological exams. His alleged abuses include:

Forcibly restraining patients and performing invasive exams despite their pleas to stop.
Conducting unnecessary and excessive vaginal and anal exams.
Making sexually inappropriate comments and humiliating patients.
Retaliating against those who reported him by altering their medical records or withholding necessary treatment.
Depriving patients of privacy and failing to provide trauma-informed care.

Many of Dr. Lee’s patients were survivors of prior sexual abuse, making his actions particularly egregious and retraumatizing.

A Pattern of Abuse Ignored by Prison Officials

CIW prisoners repeatedly reported Dr. Lee’s misconduct, but prison officials ignored their complaints. High-ranking administrators, including CIW wardens and medical executives, were aware of the allegations yet allowed Dr. Lee to continue treating incarcerated women. The systemic negligence led to widespread fear among prisoners, many of whom avoided seeking gynecological care to protect themselves from further abuse.

The Plaintiffs’ Experiences

In February 2025, six former inmates filed a civil lawsuit accusing Dr. Lee of coercing patients into unnecessary and painful examinations, making inappropriate sexual comments, and retaliating against those who resisted or reported his misconduct.

Jane Doe #1 suffered a painful, non-consensual vaginal exam that left her permanently injured. After filing a complaint, she was denied the medication prescribed by an outside doctor unless she agreed to another exam with Dr. Lee.
Jane Doe #2 was pressured into unnecessary pap smears despite having no cervix. She refused further appointments after being subjected to degrading comments.
Jane Doe #3 was coerced into receiving an intrauterine device (IUD) against her wishes. During the insertion, Dr. Lee ignored her pleas for a gentler procedure and forcibly restrained her.
Jane Doe #4, seven months pregnant at the time, endured an aggressive and painful vaginal exam that left her bleeding. She later gave birth without access to basic postpartum care because she refused further treatment from Dr. Lee.
Jane Doe #5 was subjected to repeated, medically unnecessary pap smears and invasive exams over a three-year period. She was also groped in a sexualized manner during a supposed breast exam.
Jane Doe #6 endured repeated aggressive and unnecessary pelvic exams, was forced to undergo painful procedures without consent, and was subjected to humiliating comments about her body.

The lawsuit highlights systemic issues within the prison healthcare system, alleging that prison officials were aware of Dr. Lee’s abusive behavior but failed to take action. Notably, in 2017, a formerly incarcerated woman accused Dr. Lee of mutilating her genitals under the pretense of performing a biopsy, warning that he was conducting unnecessary procedures. Despite such complaints, no corrective measures were implemented, allowing the abuse to persist.

Allegations Against Dr. Scott Lee

The lawsuit accuses Dr. Lee of numerous acts of misconduct, including:

Coercive and Unnecessary Examinations: Dr. Lee allegedly compelled patients to undergo invasive procedures that were medically unwarranted, often causing significant pain and distress. For instance, he purportedly insisted on performing pelvic exams unrelated to the patients’ medical complaints.
Sexual Harassment and Misconduct: The complaint asserts that Dr. Lee made inappropriate sexual comments and engaged in behavior that violated the dignity and rights of the patients.
Retaliation Against Complainants: Women who resisted or reported Dr. Lee’s actions allegedly faced retaliation, creating a climate of fear that discouraged others from coming forward.

DOJ Investigation

In response to these widespread allegations, the U.S. Department of Justice announced in September 2024 that it had initiated a civil rights investigation into the conditions at CIW Chino and the Central California Women’s Facility. This investigation aims to determine whether CDCR has adequately protected incarcerated women from sexual abuse by correctional staff, underscoring the severity of the systemic issues within California’s women’s prisons.

The allegations against Dr. Lee and the subsequent legal actions shed light on the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to protect the rights and well-being of incarcerated women in California.

Civil Lawsuits for Sexual Abuse of CIW Inmates

Anyone who was sexually abused or assaulted by a correctional officer, Dr. Scott Lee, or any other staff member at CIW can file a civil lawsuit and get financial compensation. CIW was under the operational control and authority of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). CDCR has a legal duty and can be held liable for the actions of its staff and employees in certain contexts, including prison doctors like Dr. Lee.

In cases involving sexual abuse of inmates at CIW, there is a growing body of evidence establishing that CDCR and its administrators at the prison were negligent in a number of ways. CDCR was negligent in failing to property screen, train, monitor, and supervise correctional officers at CIW, to ensure that they were not abusing inmates. CDCR was also negligent in how it handled complaints of misconduct or abuse by correctional officers. CDCR and officials at CIW routinely disregarded, ignored, or in some cases even suppressed reports of correctional officers abusing inmates.

Deadline for CIW Sex Abuse Lawsuits

In California, all personal injury claims are subject to a statute of limitations, which sets the legal deadline for filing a lawsuit against a negligent party to seek compensation for physical or mental injuries. While most cases have a time limit of 1 to 3 years, the laws surrounding sexual abuse cases are more complex.

For survivors who were minors (under 18) at the time of the abuse, California law allows them to file a civil lawsuit until their 40th birthday or within five years of discovering the impact of the abuse, whichever is later.

For survivors who were 18 or older at the time of the abuse, they have either 10 years from the last act of assault or three years from when they discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) that their mental condition or injury was caused by the abuse.

Settlement Value of CIW Sex Abuse Lawsuits

Victims of sexual abuse at CIW may be eligible for substantial financial compensation through civil lawsuits. Settlement amounts vary based on factors such as the severity of the abuse, its long-term impact on the victim, and the legal jurisdiction where the case is filed. Key factors influencing settlement payouts include:

Nature of Abuse: Cases involving prolonged abuse or severe misconduct by staff typically result in higher settlements. More egregious acts, such as violent rape, generally have greater legal value than cases involving coerced sexual acts.
Victim Impact: The extent of the emotional, psychological, and physical harm suffered by the victim plays a major role in determining compensation. Cases involving diagnosed PTSD, depression, or other long-term trauma may result in higher payouts.
Institutional Negligence: Evidence of systemic failures—such as ignoring reports of abuse, lack of staff supervision, or a culture of indifference—can significantly increase settlement amounts. If a correctional officer had prior complaints of misconduct that were ignored by prison officials, it could substantially strengthen a victim’s case.

Contact Us About CIW Sex Abuse Cases

If you were sexually abused as an inmate at Chowchilla women’s prison, you may be able to file a lawsuit and get compensation. Reach out to us online or call 800-553-8082.