Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) Abuse Lawsuit

Content Last Updated: October 16, 2025

Prison inmates have the right to be free from mistreatment and abuse. If you have experienced abuse while incarcerated at the Central California Women’s Facility, Police Brutality Center can help. We provide resources and can connect you with an experienced attorney who can explain legal options and help you seek justice.

Legal Rights and Options for Victims of Abuse at Central California Women's Facility

Even when incarcerated, individuals retain constitutional rights. If an incarcerated person experiences police misconduct or any form of injustice, they have the right to pursue legal action. Here are some key details about prisoners’ rights and their legal options after experiencing abuse while in custody:

Right To Be Free From Abuse

Inmates have the right to be safe from sexual abuse and mistreatment. The Eighth Amendment protects incarcerated individuals from cruel and unusual punishment, ensuring that all prisoners are treated humanely, regardless of their crimes. The amendment prohibits the use of excessive force and requires that inmates be protected from intentional harm inflicted by staff and fellow inmates. They must also receive adequate medical care and live in secure conditions.

The Prison Rape Elimination Act, or PREA, was enacted to combat sexual violence in correctional facilities. Facilities must implement measures to prevent, detect, and respond to incidents of sexual abuse. Violations of PREA can result in legal action.

Reporting Abuse

Incarcerated people have the right to report abuse directly to correctional facility authorities or through internal grievance procedures.

For complaints regarding local, county, or state correctional facilities, direct your complaint to the facility itself. If the issue remains unresolved, you can escalate the complaint to the state’s regulatory agency responsible for oversight of the state’s prisons.

For federal prisons, file your complaint directly with the facility. If that does not resolve the issue, you can escalate your complaint to the regional office of the Bureau of Prisons, or BOP, that oversees that particular facility. You may also contact BOP headquarters or the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General if further action is needed.

Inmates often face barriers to reporting police misconduct, such as threats of retaliation or a lack of trust in the system.

Filing Civil Lawsuits

If you have experienced physical violence, sexual assault, medical neglect, psychological abuse, or systemic neglect while incarcerated, you may have grounds to file a civil lawsuit. Depending on the specific circumstances, you might be able to pursue justice under federal civil rights laws, such as 42 U.S.C. § 1983, or under state laws.

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How To File a Civil Lawsuit Against Central California Women’s Facility

In many cases, you must report the abuse to prison authorities or regulatory oversight agencies and exhaust such administrative remedies before you can pursue a lawsuit. An experienced civil rights lawyer can guide you through the proper steps and help you seek the justice you deserve.

To build a strong claim, you need evidence, such as the following:

Physical descriptions of the officers involved in the abuse
The officers’ badge numbers
A chronological statement of what happened
Location and time of day of the incident

Statute of Limitations for Filing a Civil Lawsuit

The statute of limitations sets the deadline for filing lawsuits alleging prison abuse. Each state has its own statute of limitations. For federal Section 1983 claims, the filing deadline depends on your state’s statute of limitations.

To determine the statute of limitations applicable to your case, speak with a qualified civil rights lawyer in your state.

Consult an Attorney

Cases of prison abuse require in-depth knowledge in investigating instances of abuse and neglect, negotiating settlements, and litigating claims against correctional institutions. Representation by an experienced civil rights lawyer gives you the best chance of success.

A civil rights lawyer will advise you of your rights and options, investigate your claims, gather key evidence, negotiate for a full and fair settlement, and, if necessary, litigate your case in court. Civil rights attorneys know the ever-evolving law governing prison abuse cases and can help you navigate the legal system to pursue justice.

Notable Examples of Abuse at Central California Women’s Facility

Below are some notable recent cases involving abuse at the Central California Women’s Facility:

Gregory Rodriguez – Serial Sexual Abuse by a Correctional Officer

In August 2025, former California correctional officer Gregory Rodriguez was sentenced to 224 years in prison after being convicted of over 60 charges related to the abuse of nine women at the Central California Women’s Facility. The Guardian reported that the abuse dates back to at least 2014, when the prison first received a report regarding his abuse. Rather than terminating his employment, the facility reportedly punished the victim by placing her in solitary confinement while her allegations were investigated.

Rodriguez worked for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, or CDCR, for 27 years. According to The Guardian, he isolated victims in areas without cameras and coerced them into performing sexual acts.

Sgt. Tony Ormonde Sexual Abuse Investigation

Nilda Palacios, a former inmate at the Central California Women’s Facility, reported repeated sexual abuse by Sergeant Tony Ormonde in 2016. Nilda claims that prison investigators initially dismissed her reports. According to reporting by The Guardian, it took four years, recordings of Ormonde’s phone calls, and a state investigation before prison officials determined that her allegations were “sustained.”

Ormonde resigned during the investigation but has not faced any sexual abuse charges. He pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor for unlawful communication with an inmate.

Israel Trevino Jr. Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

In 2023, nearly 30 inmates at the Central California Women’s Facility filed a lawsuit against the prison and 100 unnamed staff members. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the lawsuit alleges that former employee Israel Trevino committed widespread sexual abuse. The lawsuit alleges that staff members aided Trevino and helped conceal his actions before he was terminated for sexual misconduct in 2018. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Trevino passed away in May 2021.

The Associated Press reported that Trevino had worked at the women’s prison for over a decade. Before his termination, he allegedly had received warnings for making sexually harassing remarks to inmates.

It is uncommon for correctional officers to be fired for sexual misconduct. Inmate advocates contend that sexual abuse by staff is more extensive than official records suggest because few officers are ever reported or investigated.

Misconduct and Sexual Harassment Allegations Involving Warden Mike Pallares

In September 2021, an administrative worker at the Central California Women’s Facility accused Warden Mike Pallares of demanding sex from her after she reported sexual harassment by other staff members. The Sacramento Bee reported that the lawsuit accused Pallares of coercing the worker into having sexual relations while they were both at work. However, the lawsuit was dismissed.

Additionally, Pallares reportedly faced another lawsuit around the same time from a different staff member at CCWF, who also accused him of sexual harassment. This staff member claimed she was fired from her job due to her complaints about Pallares.

The Sacramento Bee also reported that an inmate accused Pallares of misconduct. The inmate alleged she was placed in administrative segregation as retaliation for reporting sexual abuse by staff.

Other Forms of Abuse in Central California Women’s Facility

In numerous other instances, incarcerated women have filed lawsuits alleging abuse at the Central California Women’s Facility, accusing prison staff of using excessive force, medical neglect, retaliation, and other types of police misconduct against inmates.

A federal lawsuit filed in March 2025 by 13 women alleges that 159 inmates at CCWF were detained in the facility’s cafeteria and subjected to excessive force. Correctional officers used pepper spray, tear gas grenades, rubber bullets, and batons during the alleged incident. The lawsuit claims that the misconduct was in retaliation for sexual abuse complaints filed by several inmates.

In December 2023, a lawsuit was filed in state court on behalf of 500 women over alleged sexual abuse at CCWF. Many of the plaintiffs say they did not report the abuse due to fear of retaliation or threats from officers. Others said they reported the abuse but that their concerns were ignored, which discouraged them from filing additional complaints when the abuse continued. They assumed that further complaints would not receive attention or would be dismissed.

In 1999, the Los Angeles Times reported on serious medical care issues faced by women in prison, highlighting the case of Tina Balagno. While incarcerated at CCWF, Tina discovered lumps in her breasts and was diagnosed with breast cancer. However, she endured a five-month wait for treatment, during which the cancer spread to her bones, leaving her in severe pain. Despite her condition, she received no assistance with eating or bathing and was without pain medication. Tina passed away just a week after her release from prison.

How Police Brutality Center Can Help

At Police Brutality Center, we provide resources and information to abuse victims and their families, and can connect them with our network of experienced prison abuse attorneys.

Get legal help today. Contact us for a free, confidential case review and take the first step toward protecting you or your loved one’s rights as an incarcerated or formerly incarcerated person.