As long as there have been correctional facilities operated under the purview of the United States federal government, there have unfortunately been credible allegations of sexual misconduct, manipulation, and abuse occurring within those facilities. In recent years, investigations into sexual abuse in federal prisons have revealed that this kind of unlawful behavior is just as rampant as ever, while also uncovering an inexcusable lack of accountability for both employees and administrators engaging in or simply turning a blind eye to the mistreatment of inmates.
If you experienced sexual assault or abuse while incarcerated in a federal correctional facility, you have the right to file civil suit against the perpetrator(s) of that abuse as well as against anyone who negligently failed to stop it or knowingly allowed it to occur. The team here at Phillips Law Group has extensive experience helping people much like you through situations much like yours, and our sexual abuse lawyers can fight tirelessly on your behalf to protect both your privacy and your best interests during the litigation process.
As is the case with sexual abuse that occurs anywhere else under any other circumstances, someone who takes advantage of their position of authority within a federal prison to commit sexual assault against an inmate can be held personally liable for damages stemming from their misconduct. Facility administrators and owners may also hold vicarious liability for their employees’ misconduct on the job, or be directly liable for a negligent lack of supervision, training, or proper reporting of sexual assault allegations to higher authorities.
Perhaps most significantly of all, there is legal precedent holding that the United States government as a whole may be held financially accountable for sexual abuse that occurs inside facilities it is supposed to oversee. For example, in 2024, the Department of Justice agreed to pay a total settlement of almost $116 million to 103 former inmates of a federal prison in California, which has since been closed after dozens of people reported repeated sexual abuse by staff members against inmates there.
Financial restitution cannot possibly erase every negative impact of being subjected to sexual abuse as an inmate in a federal penitentiary, and the goal of filing a civil suit over this kind of sexual abuse is not to attempt to do that. What compensation can do in this kind of scenario, however, is mitigate specific identifiable “damages” stemming directly from previous acts of abuse, while also maximizing overall quality of life moving forward for the person impacted by that abuse.
Depending on the circumstances, compensable losses through this sort of claim can include economic harm like medical bills and lost work income, as well as non-economic harm like physical pain and emotional distress. An experienced legal professional can discuss what the best path forward for a particular case might be during a confidential consultation.
No one deserves to be sexually assaulted or abused under any circumstances, and people sentenced to serve time in federal prison have all the same rights in this regard as any other human being. Nevertheless, sexual abuse in federal prisons still regularly occurs in the United States, and inmates affected by the illegal behavior of prison staff members and administrators may experience life-altering harm as a result.
Phillips Law Group can help you proactively file suit against anyone and everyone involved in the abuse you wrongfully experienced while incarcerated. Call today to set up a meeting.
(602) 222-2222 
