Chowchilla Women’s Prison Sex Abuse Lawsuit

Chowchilla Women’s Prison Sex Abuse Lawsuit

This page will look at civil lawsuits brought on behalf of female inmates who were sexually abused or assaulted by staff members at the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla, CA – commonly known as the Chowchilla Women’s Prison.

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

About Chowchilla Women’s Prison

The Center California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla, California is one of the state’s primary correctional facilities for females. CCWF is much more commonly known as the Chowchilla women’s prison or just “Chowchilla.” Chowchilla is California’s second-largest women’s prison and it is home to the only female death row in the state.

Chowchilla is spread out over 640 acres and it houses just over 2,500 female inmates, with a staff of roughly half the inmate population. Chowchilla is a multi-security level facility, meaning it accommodates inmates at all security levels (minimum to maximum). Chowchilla is a relatively new facility. The prison was opened in 1990.

Sexual Abuse of Inmates at Chowchilla Women’s Prison

In 2023, a series of investigative reports emerged indicating that female inmates at the Chowchilla women’s prison were regularly subjected to sexual abuse and assault at the hands of correctional officers and staff at the facility. These reports gave a number of former inmates who were the victims of abuse at Chowchilla to come forward and tell their stories.

In January 2023, a civil lawsuit was filed against the California Department of Corrections a group of over 100 former Chowchilla inmates who were the victims of sexual abuse at the facility. The lawsuit alleged that correctional officers used their power and authority at Chowchilla to coerce female inmates into performing sexual acts against their will. In some instances, female inmates were physically restrained and raped.

These correctional officers used their positions of authority at Chowchilla to suppress any potential complaints or reports by their victims. The officers made overt threats of physical violence and verbal acts of intimidation to deter their victims from reporting or complaining about the sexual abuse.

Former Chowchilla Guard Convicted on 59 Counts of Sexual Abuse

In January 2025, a former correctional officer at Chowchilla women’s prison was convicted on 59 felony sex abuse counts. The officer, Gregory Rodriguez, was convicted of rape, rape under color of authority, sodomy, and other criminal offenses committed against female inmates under his supervision at Chowchilla.

Rodriguez was a correctional officer at Chowchilla from 2010 to 2022. According to an investigation by The Guardian, administrators at the prison received complaints about Rodriguez sexually abusing inmates as early as 2014, but nothing was done about it. It was not until a group of six former victims filed a civil lawsuit in 2022 that Rodriguez suffered any consequences for his actions.

Justice Department Investigation

In September 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) publicly announced that it was launching a formal investigation into the allegations of systemic sexual abuse of inmates at Chowchilla. The DOJ cited the following reasons for the investigation:

• Hundreds of private lawsuits filed by former inmates at Chowchilla (and other women’s prisons) alleging sexual abuse
• Criminal charges against correctional officer Greg Rodriguez for sexually assaulting female inmates at Chowchilla
• Reports of correctional staff at Chowchilla and other facilities seeking sexual favors from inmates in return for privileges and contraband
• A report issued to the California legislature in March 2024 by various interest groups detailing a culture of sexual abuse by staff and inadequate procedures for reporting abuse.

What Qualifies as Sexual Abuse?

In California, sexual assault or sexual abuse is defined as any sexual touching or contact made without the other person’s consent and intended for sexual gratification. In civil lawsuits, these acts are commonly referred to as sexual battery. This definition covers a wide range of conduct, from unwanted groping to violent rape.

Under California law, two key elements must be present for an act to be considered sexual abuse. First, the contact must be intentional and made for sexual gratification. For instance, accidental contact in a crowded elevator or grabbing someone to prevent a fall does not qualify as sexual abuse, as there is no sexual intent.

Second, the act must occur without consent. Any deliberate sexual touching without mutual consent constitutes abuse or assault. Additionally, California law prohibits minors under 18 from legally consenting to sexual contact. As a result, any sexual touching between an adult and a minor is automatically classified as sexual battery.

Civil Lawsuits for Sexual Abuse of Chowchilla Inmates

Anyone who was sexually abused or assaulted by a correctional officer or other staff member at Chowchilla Women’s Prison can file a civil lawsuit and get financial compensation. Chowchilla 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.

In cases involving sexual abuse of inmates at Chowchilla, 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 Chowchilla, 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 Chowchilla routinely disregarded, ignored, or in some cases even suppressed reports of correctional officers abusing inmates.

Deadline for Filing Chowchilla Sex Abuse Lawsuits

In California, all personal injury claims are subject to a statute of limitations, which is the legal deadline for filing a lawsuit against a negligent party to seek compensation for physical or mental injuries. The time limit varies depending on the type of case, typically ranging from 1 to 3 years. However, when it comes to sexual abuse cases, the laws are more complex.

For survivors who were minors (under 18) at the time of the last incident, California law allows them to file a civil lawsuit until their 40th birthday or within 5 years of discovering 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 3 years from when they discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) that their mental condition or injury was caused by the assault.

Settlement Value of Chowchilla Sex Abuse Lawsuits

Victims of sexual abuse at Chowchilla women’s prison may be entitled to significant financial compensation in successful civil lawsuits. Settlement payouts in sex abuse lawsuits are determined by factors such as the extent of the abuse, the long-term impact on the victim, and the jurisdiction where the case is filed. Key factors that influence settlement payouts include:

• Nature of Abuse: Settlements are typically higher in cases involving prolonged abuse or egregious misconduct by staff. The nature of the abuse is also relevant. Violent forcible rape will have a higher value than coerced sexual favors.
• Victim Impact: The severity of the psychological, emotional, and physical harm suffered by the victim is a major determinant in compensation.
• Negligence: Evidence of systemic failures, such as ignoring reports of abuse, inadequate staff supervision, or a culture of indifference, often results in higher settlement payouts. In Chowchilla cases, if there is evidence that the correctional officer had previously been reported to prison administration for abuse and those reports were ignore, that will significantly increase the value of the case.

Contact Us About Chowchilla 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.