Folsom Women’s Facility Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
Even after its closure in 2023, the Folsom Women’s Facility in Represa, California, continues to face allegations of sexual abuse by staff.
Individuals in the prison system are already a vulnerable population, and when corrections officers and other prison staff abuse their power to sexually control inmates, there are devastating lifelong consequences for survivors. Now, many victims are taking legal action against Folsom and other state women’s prisons for failing to protect them.
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 Folsom Women’s Facility was part of the Folsom State Prison from 2013 until its closure in 2023.
- If you or a loved one experienced sexual assault by a staff member at the Folsom 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 represent you in civil litigation with no upfront costs.
The Folsom Women’s Facility was one of three main complexes in Folsom State Prison, California’s second-oldest prison, about 20 miles from Sacramento. While the prison itself opened in 1880, the Women’s Facility opened in 2013 as a 523-bed standalone facility for minimum- to medium-security female inmates. It closed in 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The women incarcerated at Folsom were either sent to other institutions or released.
Over the past few years, hundreds of people who claim they were victims of sexual violence by prison staff have sued Folsom Women’s Facility, the California Institute for Women, the California Central Women’s Facility, and other such facilities. They allege that the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation systemically failed to protect female inmates, prevent abuse by staff, and adequately discipline accused employees.
Allegations of Sexual Violence at Folsom Women’s Facility
Although the Folsom Women’s Facility met all Prison Rape Elimination Act standards in its final audit in mid-2022, 14 inmates still reported sexual abuse at the facility as of the first day of the onsite audit.
In 2022, a new California law took effect that allows victims of sexual assault by law enforcement officers more time to take legal action against their assailants. This law sparked lawsuits across the state, and one law firm has filed 135 suits involving 147 plaintiffs on behalf of former prisoners of the Folsom Women’s Facility, the California Institution for Women, and the California Central Women’s Facility.
- Allegations of Sexual Violence at Folsom Women’s Facility
- How Did Sexual Assault Occur in California Women’s Prisons?
- Survivors’ Rights in Prison Sexual Assault Cases
- Legal Options for Survivors of Sexual Assault at Folsom Women’s Facility
- Types of Compensation for Prison Sexual Assault
- Contact Helping Survivors for Legal and Support Resources
How Did Sexual Assault Occur in California Women’s Prisons?
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 the California Institution for Women in Chino and the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla following hundreds of lawsuits alleging rape and sexual assault at the two facilities. The probe will investigate whether the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation adequately protects inmates from sexual abuse by staff.
Survivors’ Rights in Prison Sexual Assault Cases
Under California law, inmates have the right to be fully informed of and have access to grievance forms and procedures, to be free from mental and physical abuse, to be free from discrimination based on protected class, and to be treated with consideration, respect, and dignity. Additionally, inmates are protected by the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act, which combats sexual abuse and misconduct within U.S. prison institutions.
Legal Options for Survivors of Sexual Assault at Folsom Women’s Facility
Prison sexual assault survivors have the right to safety, dignity, and legal recourse. In many cases, survivors are eligible to file a sexual assault 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.
Report to Law Enforcement
If you experienced sexual assault in prison, you can file a report directly with a local police agency over the phone or in person. While we understand individuals may be reluctant to interact with law enforcement, creating a paper trail documenting the abuse can be an important step. We recommend speaking to an experienced prison sexual abuse attorney before reporting because they can help ensure your rights are protected and preserved throughout this process.
File a Formal Complaint with the State
The Folsom Women’s Facility was operated by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which has policies requiring the reporting and investigation of all sexual abuse allegations. Incidents can be reported directly to the department, the regional Office of Internal Affairs, or the Office of the Inspector General’s PREA Ombudsperson.
File a Civil Lawsuit
California’s sexual assault statute of limitations allows prison sexual assault survivors to file a claim within ten years of the assault, or within three years of discovering their injuries. Therefore, you may still be able to file a lawsuit even if the assault occurred years ago.
Types of Compensation for Prison Sexual Assault
In a civil lawsuit, survivors can pursue financial compensation for medical bills, psychological damages, lost wages, 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 specifics of the case, the impacts on their life, and the responsible party’s ability to pay.
Government entities or large institutions will sometimes settle large groups of cases at once. In December 2024, the federal government agreed to pay nearly $116 million to resolve lawsuits from over 100 women who said they suffered abuse at the now-closed Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, California. Each plaintiff will receive about $1.1 million in compensation for the staff-on-inmate sexual misconduct they endured.
Contact Helping Survivors for Legal and Support Resources
If you or a loved one experienced sexual assault or misconduct by staff at the Folsom Women’s Facility, even if it was years ago, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against the state to hold the responsible parties accountable.
At Helping Survivors, our advocates work to help heal, educate, and empower people impacted by sexual violence. We inform survivors of their rights, refer them to resources for support, and connect them with our partner law firms. These firms work with survivors to file civil lawsuits against the individuals, institutions, and government entities who enabled and perpetrated sexual violence to compensate victims for their suffering. Every law firm we work with provides free consultations and takes these types of cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs for pursuing a claim.
Contact Helping Survivors to learn more about your legal rights and options.
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