Overview
- The family filed the civil suit on June 12, 2026, saying the attack occurred inside a walk-in freezer at the California Institute for Men on Aug. 10, 2025.
- Plaintiffs say the inmate followed the civilian kitchen supervisor into the freezer, attempted a sexual assault and stabbed her in the neck, leaving a permanent scar and life-altering injuries.
- Attorneys allege the correctional officer assigned to supervise the area did not intervene or properly supervise and that other inmates had to stop the attack.
- The complaint names the State of California and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and asserts claims including negligence, sexual harassment and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
- The suit highlights concerns about assigning inmates with violent records to kitchen work where they have access to knives and utensils and could prompt reviews of assignment and supervision policies while CDCR declines to comment because litigation is pending.