Central California Women's Facility Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Over the past few years, hundreds of victims of alleged sexual violence by prison staff have filed lawsuits against the California Central Women’s Facility and other women’s prisons. As of September 2025, nearly 500 civil cases were filed statewide for prison inmate abuse, much of which is alleged to have occurred at CCWF. Survivors allege that the CDCR systemically failed to protect female inmates, prevent abuse by staff, and adequately discipline accused employees.
Have you experienced sexual assault or abuse?
Helping Survivors can connect you with an attorney if you may have a case. While we cannot report a crime on your behalf, your safety is important. Please contact your local authorities for further assistance.
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Author: Kathryn Kosmides
Survivor Advocate
- The Central California Women’s Facility is a Chowchilla, California, women’s prison that has recently faced extensive allegations of sexual assault and misconduct by staff.
- If you or a loved one experienced sexual assault at the Central California Women’s Facility, you may be able to file a lawsuit to recover compensation.
- Helping Survivors can provide resources, support, and connections to experienced sexual assault lawyers who can guide you through the legal process.
Sexual Misconduct Allegations Against the Central California Women's Facility
Located in Chowchilla, California, the Central California Women’s Facility, or CCWF, is the state’s largest female correctional facility and the second-largest in the country. The facility opened in 1990 under the jurisdiction of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, or CDCR, holding prisoners at all security levels. In recent years, the CCWF has consistently exceeded its design capacity, reaching 132% capacity in 2020 and 115% capacity in 2023.
The lawsuits against CCWF allege that facility officers sexually abused female inmates in the form of rape, inappropriate groping during searches, or the solicitation of sexual favors in exchange for privileges and contraband.
In August 2025, former CCWF correctional officer Gregory Rodriguez was convicted of more than 60 sexual abuse charges at the facility and sentenced to 224 years in prison. Rodriguez, 57, worked as a guard at CCWF until 2022. He was found guilty in January of abusing at least nine women in his custody. He was found to have targeted incarcerated women over nearly a decade. Rodriguez worked for the CDCR for 27 years, isolating victims in unsupervised areas and coercing them into sex.
The Rodriguez case exposed a longstanding crisis of sexual misconduct and abuse in women’s prisons across California. A 2023 investigation by the Guardian found that the CCWF received a report of Rodriguez’s abuse in 2014 but did not terminate him. Instead, the facility allegedly punished the victim with solitary confinement. Additionally, a lawsuit filed by survivors of Rodriguez’s abuse settled in October 2023 for $3.7 million. The same month, 29 former inmates sued the state and CCWF over alleged sexual assault by former corrections officer Israel Trevino Jr.
The Department of Justice’s Investigation into Conditions at CCWF
Many sexual assault lawsuits against California women’s prisons assert that the state should have done more to prevent abuse, discipline perpetrators, and generally monitor inmate-staff interactions. In 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a civil rights investigation into CCWF and another California women’s prison, the California Institution for Women, in the wake of hundreds of lawsuits alleging rape and sexual assault at the two facilities.
The probe, which was initiated under the Civil Rights for Institutionalized Persons Act, will investigate whether the CDCR adequately protects inmates from sexual abuse by staff.
- Sexual Misconduct Allegations Against the Central California Women’s Facility
- Who Is Eligible to File a Lawsuit Against the Central California Women’s Facility?
- What Compensation is Available to Survivors of CCWF Sexual Assault?
- Can a Lawsuit Against CCWF Be Filed if the Sexual Assault Wasn’t Reported?
- What is the Time Limit to File a Lawsuit for Sexual Assault at CCWF?
- How a Lawyer Can Help with a CCWF Sexual Assault Lawsuit and Potential Settlement?
- Speak with a Sexual Assault Lawyer Today
Who Is Eligible to File a Civil Lawsuit Against the Central California Women's Facility?
Prison sexual assault survivors have the right to safety, dignity, and legal recourse. They often can file a sexual assault civil lawsuit against the individuals and institutions that perpetrated and enabled the abuse. Victims can also report sexual violence to law enforcement and state oversight agencies.
What Compensation is Available to Survivors of CCWF Sexual Assault?
In a civil lawsuit, survivors can pursue compensation for medical bills, therapy expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and more. The amount of compensation a victim may be able to receive depends on various factors, including the severity of the assault, the effects on their life, the specifics of the case, and the liable individual or institution’s ability to pay. Evidence of ignored reports of abuse or institutional negligence can significantly increase a victim’s compensation.
Can a Civil Lawsuit Against CCWF Be Filed if the Sexual Assault Wasn’t Reported?
You do not need to report sexual abuse to have a viable claim, but it will strengthen your case. Learn more about how to report sexual assault to authorities here.
What is the Time Limit to File a Civil Lawsuit for Sexual Assault at CCWF?
California’s sexual assault statute of limitations allows prison sexual assault survivors to file a claim within ten years of the assault date, or within three years of discovering the harm caused by the assault. This means that you may still be able to file suit even if the assault occurred years ago.
How a Lawyer Can Help with a CCWF Sexual Assault Lawsuit and Potential Settlement?
Sexual assault lawsuits are complicated, especially if institutional negligence by a government entity such as the CDCR is involved. An experienced institutional sexual abuse attorney can work with you to investigate your case and gather evidence, including difficult-to-access records, surveillance footage, documents, witness testimony, and more.
They’ll then work with you to build a strong case, file a lawsuit, and negotiate a settlement with the defendants. If settlement negotiations fail, your attorney will represent you in court before a jury.
Speak with a Sexual Assault Lawyer Today
If you or someone you love suffered sexual abuse at Central California Women’s Facility, you are not alone—and it’s not too late to seek justice. Survivors deserve to be heard, to heal, and to hold those responsible accountable. At Helping Survivors, we offer confidential support and guidance and can connect you with trusted legal professionals and survivor advocates. Your story matters, and taking action can help protect others from future harm.
Every survivor’s experience is unique, and what you do after experiencing harm is ultimately your choice. There is no right or wrong answer. Regardless, it is essential to thoroughly understand your rights and legal options so that you can make an informed decision. To learn more about your options, get connected with legal help, and access resources for support, contact Helping Survivors today.
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