PRP is pursuing a statewide challenge to the persistent and recurring sexual abuse of women prisoners by male correction officers, and the policies that permit it to continue (Amador). The suit seeks an injunction on behalf of all women in the state prison system and damages on behalf of 15 named plaintiffs who were forcibly raped, coerced into sexual activity, or sexually harassed by male officers, many of whom had been the subject of repeated complaints with no action by prison authorities. We challenge the prison system's practice of requiring physical evidence of the officers' misconduct before they are willing to take any action on women's complaints.
In December 2007, the federal court dismissed most of the plaintiffs’ claims based on grounds we believe are plainly erroneous, such as having pursued the wrong administrative remedy before filing suit. Plaintiffs' motion for reconsideration was unsuccessful, and they will pursue an appeal.