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Gregory Rodriguez, a former correctional officer at the Central California Women's Facility, was convicted on Tuesday of 64 counts of sexual abuse, including rape and sexual battery, against 13 incarcerated women. The conviction comes amid one of the largest prison abuse scandals in the state's history.
Rodriguez, 56, faced a total of 97 charges, but the jury found him not guilty on some counts, while they were unable to reach a verdict on others. His case highlights a systemic issue of sexual misconduct by prison staff, which has reportedly been widespread but rarely punished within California's women's prisons.
The scandal first emerged in December 2022 when authorities revealed allegations that Rodriguez had abused at least 22 incarcerated individuals. State officials disclosed that Rodriguez had retired in August 2022, shortly after being approached by investigators.
According to court records, Rodriguez would often harass women verbally before isolating them under false pretenses, sometimes exchanging favors like tobacco for sexual acts while threatening repercussions for non-compliance. Despite a complaint made in 2014, which led to the punishment of the victim rather than Rodriguez, he continued his abusive behavior for several years.
The California Coalition for Women Prisoners, which supported the victims during the trial, emphasized that Rodriguez is symptomatic of a larger problem within the prison system. They are now calling for comprehensive reforms to prevent similar abuses from recurring in the future.