The Sierra Conservation Center (SCC) is a medium security prison located in Jamestown, California. The facility, which sits on 420 acres of land, offers a variety of programs to inmates, including sewing and firefighter training. As of 2022, SCC had 2,528 occupants, which is around 65.9% of its legal capacity.
Clearly, there are a lot of inmates to oversee at this facility, and that can present many challenges for the people that own and operate the prison. However, there is no excuse for the abusive treatment of inmates, including sexual assault, such as rape, sodomy, unwanted sexual touching, and anything else that’s done against a prisoner’s will for the sake of sexual gratification.
If the California prison system failed to protect you from sexual abuse while you were at the Sierra Conservation Center, you have the right to seek legal advice from a lawyer with experience in prison sexual assault cases. We can also help you if you are being subjected to sexual abuse as a current inmate at SCC. For more information on your right to sue for a sexual abuse incident at Sierra Conservation Center, contact the offices of Normandie Law Firm.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
$2.5 Million
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Who is Liable for Sexual Abuse Incidents at Sierra Conservation Center?
Some incidents of sexual assault in prisons are committed by other inmates, but employees of the prison system can also participate in these acts. Recently, there have been numerous lawsuits filed against county, state, and federal agencies in California, with disturbing allegations of physical and sexual abuse against inmates. Clearly, the person who committed the assault can be sued and prosecuted for their actions. But there’s also the “system” that likely had knowledge of these incidents.
Instead of firing the employee, contacting the authorities, and taking other constructive measures, the responsible agencies often hide or destroy evidence of sexual abuse in their facilities. They may also move the employee to a different prison or give them another job, which is essentially enabling them in their pattern of abuse. With the Sierra Conservation Center, the governing agency is the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Thus, you may have grounds to sue the State of California for incidents of sexual abuse at the Sierra Conservation Center.
The truth is, liability for the abuse of prison inmates is a very complicated issue, and it’s in your best to interest to discuss your case with an experienced California prison sex abuse attorney.
Can I File a Lawsuit against the Prison where I am Currently Incarcerated?
We understand why so many inmates have this question on their minds when their rights are being violated at a California state prison. On the one hand, you have the right to take action against someone that is abusing you sexually. At the same time, prisoners lose many of the rights we normally take for granted, which is a part of paying their debt to society.
However, the right to file a lawsuit is not taken away just because you are serving time. That means you are entitled to legal actions under the law if you are being subjected to rape, attempted rape, or unwanted sexual contact of any kind during your time at the Sierra Conservation Center.
We want to be upfront about how challenging these lawsuits can be, as there are strict procedures governing inmate grievances. In fact, you may be aware of this already if you have ever lodged a complaint and asked for a hearing due to unfair treatment, unsanitary conditions, or any other issues you are facing at Sierra Conservation Center. The grievance process is incredibly complicated at most prisons, to the point where most prisoners give up after a short while and stay silent as they endure continual abuse from the guards and other employees at the facility.
We understand how scared and discouraged you may be right now. But we hope you’ll take the chance of contacting us and finding out about your rights and legal options. The road to justice won’t be easy, but we are ready to guide you every step of the way. We are here to fight for you, no matter how long it takes, if you were sexually abused at a California state poison.
Average Value of a Sierra Conservation Center Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Placing a dollar value on a sexual assault lawsuit is complicated, especially if the victim has little to no physical injuries. But the emotional trauma and their lifelong impact are compensable injuries, and settlement values can be quite high when it comes to psychological damage from sexual abuse. Sex abuse lawsuit settlements recovered by our attorneys typically start at around $500,000 and go all the way up to $3,000,000 or more. There are many factors that are specific to you and the abuse you suffered, which will determine how much you deserve from a sex abuse lawsuit against the Sierra Conservation Center. To discuss these issues and any other concerns you have about your case, please contact our office.
How Long Does it Take to Settle a Sexual Abuse Claim?
The process of settling a sexual abuse claim is rarely straightforward, especially when the defendant is a government agency. Lawsuits against the government require different procedures than personal injury claims against private entities. As a result, it usually takes anywhere from one to several years to settle these cases, depending on whether a settlement can be reached, or if the case goes to trial. The good news is, most prison sexual assault lawsuits are resolved out of court, but reaching a settlement that’s satisfactory to both sides can take two or more years when a state of California agency is involved.
Statute of Limitations to Sue a California State Prison
If you are 18 or older at the time of the incident, you will need to file a lawsuit within 10 years from the last incident of abuse. This deadline applies to inmates whose last incident of sexual abuse at a prison occurred on or after January 1, 2019. Cases that took place before this date have a 3-year statute of limitations if the victim is interested in filing a lawsuit.
Right now, there is a law that can help sexual abuse victims with previously expired cases. Known as the Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act, or Assembly Bill 2777, this legislation created a 3-year look back window on sexual assault cases that occurred during January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2019. This means you have until December 31, 2026 to pursue a sexual abuse lawsuit against Sierra Conservation Center, even if you were assaulted many years ago. To learn about your eligibility for a prison sex abuse claim, give us a call to speak with a member of our legal team.
Can I get a New Lawyer if I Filed a Lawsuit Already?
Yes, you can fire your attorney and start over with a new lawyer at any time, even if you have an active lawsuit. Whether you should do so or not is a different story, as there are many conflicts that can happen between clients and lawyers during the legal process. Some of these conflicts can be overlooked, but others may be signs that your case is headed in the wrong direction. If you would like a free second opinion on your case, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We are happy to sit down with you and go over any concerns you have. Since we don’t charge for these consultations, there’s nothing to stop you from scheduling a free second opinion with one of our attorneys.
Legal Advice from a Prison Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Attorney
You would think that a place full of corrections officers and other members of law enforcement would be free of sexual abuse. Unfortunately, this is an exceptionally common problem in juvenile halls and state prisons throughout California. Sexual assault, along with sexual harassment, physical assault, and neglect are often traced to prison guards, prison nurses, chaplains, social workers, administrators, and other employees of the state.
Here at Normandie Law Firm, justice should not be denied to anyone that was subjected to sexual violence. No matter what you did in the past or how you arrived at the Sierra Conservation Center, you deserve the same compassion and respect as any other victim of sexual assault.
To make things as easy as possible, we will work on contingency and wait to receive payment at the end of your case. If we do not succeed in obtaining your compensation award, you won’t be responsible for any legal fees, as we protect all clients with the Zero Fee Guarantee.
Whether you are a former inmate or currently detained at Sierra Conservation Center, contact us as soon as possible if you are a victim of sexual abuse in a California state prison.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
Former Juneau Bible Camp Counselor Charged with Child Sexual Abuse
Federal Prison Sexual Abuse in California – Lawsuit Attorneys
Juvenile Hall Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Attorneys
