Federal Prison Sexual Abuse in California

Were you sexually abused while you were incarcerated at a federal prison in the state of California? Are you currently an inmate at a California federal prison who is being subjected to sexual harassment and sexual assault? The BOP, or Federal Bureau of Prisons is a federal agency that’s in charge of federal institutions, penitentiaries, and correctional complexes for inmates that are guilty of violating the United States Code. California also has two Residential Reentry Management (RRM) locations, which are commonly referred to as halfway houses.

These facilities are all generally described as “federal prisons,” and there’s no denying that inmates at these facilities are there as a form of punishment. On the other hand, everyone has certain rights and civil liberties, including the right to fair and respectful treatment. Sexual abuse is one of the most traumatic and invasive forms of abuse that can happen to anyone, and unfortunately, these incidents are extremely common in prisons throughout California.

You may feel like there’s no way out, and no one that you can turn to for help. We know that the legal system has failed you in many ways, but please take the chance of reaching out to us here at Normandie Law Firm. If you are entitled to a lawsuit against the prison system, we can you obtain compensation towards your medical expenses and the trauma you’ve suffered through no fault of your own. Please contact our office to learn about your rights from a federal prison sexual abuse attorney.

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Who can I Sue if I was Sexually Abused in a Federal Prison?

Suing the person that sexually assaulted you seems obvious to most people, but is there any other party you can go after if you were abused in a federal prison? Yes, you may have grounds to sue others that had knowledge of, participated in, or concealed evidence of what was happening to you. The main entity that’s responsible in many of these of cases is the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). This is a government agency that’s responsible for the care and custody of those who are convicted of a crime at the federal level. Underneath the BOP are other agencies, such as United States Penitentiaries (USPs) and Federal Correctional Institutions (FCIs), which can also share liability for sexual abuse against an inmate.

There is one exception to this rule, which concerns privately-owned correctional institutes. Specifically, we are talking about Taft Correctional Institution, which is managed by MCT, or Management and Training Corporation. This is a private firm that’s contracted by the government to manage various prison and Job Corps facilities. Depending on the circumstances, you may need to sue MCT versus the Federal Bureau of Prisons, or you may have the right to sue both of these organizations.

As you can see, determining liability for a prison sexual abuse case is a complicated process. The important thing is to work with an experienced inmate sexual assault lawyer, who can help you bring all the responsible parties to account.

What if I’m Still in Prison – Can I Sue for a Case of Sexual Abuse?

Yes, we want to be clear on the fact that you have the right to a lawsuit, even if you are currently incarcerated at a federal prison. This is particularly important if you are being abused sexually or physically by a corrections officer or another employee of the prison system.

However, we must acknowledge how tough these lawsuits can be, due to the procedures that each facility has in place for inmate grievances. You may already be familiar with this system and how confusing it can be for the average person. In fact, a federal prison’s grievance procedures can be so complicated that most inmates give up on filing a grievance altogether and continue to endure months and years of sexual abuse.

This is where legal advice from a federal prison sexual abuse lawsuit attorney really counts. Right now, we know that you are scared and doubtful about your prospects of achieving justice for the harm you’ve suffered. But we want to assure you that we are with you every step of the way. Our loyalty is to you and your legal rights, not to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. From day one, you can count on us to fight tirelessly for the compensation you deserve if you were sexually abused in a California federal prison.

Prison Sexual Abuse Lawsuit – Average Case Values

The value of a sexual abuse settlement is based on many factors that have to do with the victim’s suffering and their life has been impacted by the abuse. The defendant’s liability is another critical factor – if, for example, there were attempts to conceal or destroy evidence of inmate sexual assault, this can increase the judgement for a sexual abuse lawsuit at a federal prison. The best we can say is that sexual abuse victims we represent receive anywhere from $500,000 to $2 million and above. Some clients have received more due to the extent of their physical and emotional injuries, but the exact number is not what’s important. Our goal is to secure a fair amount of damages based on the circumstances that are unique to your own experience, no anyone else’s. To speak to a lawyer about the potential value of your case, contact us as soon as possible.

How Long does it Take to Settle a Case of Federal Prison Sexual Abuse in California?

Unfortunately, there is no set amount of time for how long it takes to reach a settlement in these cases. While some of our cases take just weeks to resolve, this is unlikely for a case of prison sexual abuse, due to the legal process that’s involved when you are suing the federal government. Our goal is to settle your case without the need for a trial, which is what happens in about 90% of the lawsuits we handle. But the timeline to negotiate a fair amount of compensation can take one or more years. If it turns out that a court hearing is necessary, it may take us two or more years to bring you justice from a federal prison sex abuse case.

What is the Deadline to Sue a Federal Prison for Sexual Abuse?

The statute of limitations for a sexual abuse lawsuit in California is 10 years for adults, starting from the most recent incident of abuse. However, this timeline applies to cases that occurred on or after January 1, 2019. For sexual assault incidents before this date, you would have 3 years to sue your abuser and anyone else that’s liable for the abuse you endured.

However, there is some hope for inmates who had previously exceeded the statute of limitations for a sexual abuse lawsuit. Assembly Bill 2777, aka the Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act, provides a 3-year look back window on sex abuse cases that took place from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2019. Under AB 2777, it may not be too late to seek compensation from the prison system, but you must contact us right away, as the look back window expires on December 31, 2026.

Free Second Opinion

A lot of law firms are quick to sign clients in need of justice for a case of sexual abuse. But they are not as good at providing the level of time, care, and dedication that’s needed in these situations. Furthermore, it takes a highly experienced attorney to succeed in these cases, which typically involve numerous defendants and the state and federal level. If you are starting to regret the lawyer you’ve chosen to represent you, please consider a free second opinion from the lawyers of Normandie. There is no cost to you for a free evaluation on your case, along with advice on your rights and legal options. If you’re interested in scheduling a free second opinion, please reach out to us at your earliest convenience.

Contact a Lawyer with Experience in Prison Sexual Assault Cases

Anyone can be the victim of sexual harassment and sexual assault, no matter their race, gender, age, or sexual orientation. But these incidents are particularly common in prison system, where the inmates are vulnerable to abuse from correctional guards, wardens, medical staff, chaplains, and other prison employees. These predators know about the social stigma against someone that’s been convicted of a crime, and how such victims are less likely to be believed.

The lawyers of Normandie still believe in the principle of “justice for all,” especially for someone that’s experienced various acts of sexual violence. You are no different to us than any other victim of sexual abuse, and we hope you’ll give us a chance to show you what we’re all about.

As for any legal fees, there is nothing for you to pay under the Zero Fee Guarantee. We are a contingency-based law firm, so our payment is covered by the defendant once we secure your settlement award. That’s the only way we get paid, so you owe us absolutely nothing in the event we don’t win your case.

For a free case review on your rights and legal options, contact the office of Normandie Law Firm. Our lawyers are ready to represent in a sexual abuse case against the following federal prisons and halfway houses in California:

• United States Penitentiary, Atwater
• United States Penitentiary, Lompoc
• United States Penitentiary, Victorville
• Federal Correctional Institution, Dublin
• Federal Correctional Institution, Herlong
• Federal Correctional Institution, Lompoc
• Federal Correctional Institution, Mendota
• Federal Correctional Institution, Terminal Island
• Federal Correctional Institution, Victorville Medium I
• Federal Correctional Institution, Victorville Medium II
• Federal Correctional Complex, Lompoc (includes FCI Lompoc and USP Lompoc)
• Federal Correctional Complex, Victorville (includes FCI Victorville Medium I, FCI Victorville Medium II and USP Victorville)
• Taft Correctional Institution (privately run by Management and Training Corporation)
• RRM Long Beach
• RRM Sacramento

Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
San Joaquin County Grand Jury Finds that County Jail and Juvenile Hall Facility Have Not Done Enough to Prevent Sexual Abuse