Worker at Elmwood Correctional Facility Sexually Exploited Female Inmates

Santa Clara County Jail Worker at Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas Accused of Sexually Exploiting Incarcerated Women

MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA (May 14, 2026) – A Santa Clara County jail worker at Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas has been accused of sexually exploiting women.

The allegations come after a new report was released by the county office. A male correctional officer is accused of bringing drugs into the prison and giving them to women in exchange for sexual favors.

That person has since been fired from their position and is facing multiple criminal charges. Authorities suspect that his actions were part of a long-running pattern.

The report also mentions that sheriff leaders were aware of the misconduct for more than a year but failed to act. A full investigation into the misconduct at the Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Sexual Abuse at County Jails

Jails have a legal obligation to protect inmates from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. This includes protecting them from sexual abuse at the hands of jail staff. Because incarcerated women are under the custody and control of the state, the county has a heightened duty of care to protect them. If jail officials knew or should’ve known that a correctional worker was exploiting female inmates, they have a legal obligation to intervene. Failure to intervene could be construed as negligence. Jails should take several actions to protect women from sexual exploitation at the hands of correctional officers.

• Training: Jails should train all of their staff on recognizing signs of sexual abuse and exploitation.
• Reporting: Jails should have multiple private and confidential reporting channels so that inmates are able to report misconduct without fear of repercussions.
• Zero Tolerance: Jails should have a zero-tolerance policy for any type of sexual abuse or exploitation.
• Monitoring: Jails should carefully monitor the actions of their correctional officers. In particular, male correctional officers should not be allowed to be alone with individual female inmates.

A number of jails across California have faced lawsuits after women in their custody were sexually abused or exploited by correctional officers. This has led state officials to close several facilities. According to PBS, “The federal Bureau of Prisons said Monday it is planning to close a women’s prison in California known as the “rape club” despite attempts to reform the troubled facility after an Associated Press investigation exposed rampant staff-on-inmate sexual abuse.” Reports detailing the facility said that there was a culture of abuse and cover-ups.

Steps to Take After Sexual Abuse at County Jails

Sexual abuse at county jails is much more common than many people realize. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, “Correctional administrators reported 27,826 allegations of sexual victimization in 2018, a 14% increase from the 24,514 reported in 2015. Of the 1,673 substantiated incidents of sexual victimization in 2018, about 58% were perpetrated by other inmates and 42% by staff.” Certain actions should be taken after any instance of sexual abuse in a state facility.

• Reporting: The misconduct should be reported to the police so that they can begin investigating.
• Medical Records: Any medical records related to the abuse should be collected.
• Jail Records: Jail records related to the history of misconduct involving a worker should be carefully reviewed.
• Legal Representation: Any person sexually abused or exploited by a correctional officer should contact any experienced sexual abuse attorney.

Sexual abuse at county jails is often highly preventable. It tends to involve situations where correctional officers are not properly monitored. By the time any correctional officer is arrested for misconduct, there were likely numerous red flags that were missed. Part of the problem is the culture at many jails that allows abuse to go undisciplined or unreported. Victims of sexual exploitation are able to seek some measure of accountability and justice through a civil claim.

Investigating Sexual Abuse at County Jails

We at Samer Habbas & Associates PC extend our best wishes to all of the women who have been sexually exploited at the Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas. The conduct of the perpetrator is deeply concerning. What is perhaps even more disturbing is that it was apparently allowed to continue by people who knew, or should have known, what was going on. There needs to be a thorough investigation into all of the allegations.

Have you been the victim of sexual abuse or exploitation while staying at the Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas? Our team of sexual abuse attorneys is here for you. We are committed to helping victims get the support and justice that they are entitled to under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or are wondering how an attorney can help with your particular situation, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 949-727-9300.