A civil lawsuit has been filed against Dr. Scott Lee, the only full-time gynecologist at the California Institution for Women in Chino, alleging that he sexually abused patients over a span of seven years. The complaint, submitted by six women, claims that Lee, 70, engaged in inappropriate medical practices and sexual misconduct during examinations, while prison officials and medical staff failed to intervene despite prior complaints against him.
According to the lawsuit, which was filed in the Central District of California federal court, Lee has treated hundreds of incarcerated women since 2016. The plaintiffs, referred to as Jane Does to protect their identities, describe a pattern of abusive behavior, including coercive examinations and retaliatory actions against those who resisted his advances. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) has faced numerous allegations of systemic sexual violence against inmates in recent years, with both the Chino facility and another women’s prison in Chowchilla currently under investigation by the federal Department of Justice for civil rights violations related to sexual abuse.
A spokesperson for the CDCR confirmed that Dr. Lee no longer has direct contact with patients but did not provide further details on personnel matters. The lawsuit details harrowing accounts from the plaintiffs, who reported experiences of painful and invasive medical procedures, including forced pelvic exams and inappropriate comments made by Lee during examinations. One woman alleged that during a visit for a skin condition, Lee forcibly inserted his fingers during an exam despite her refusal, causing her severe pain.
Another plaintiff, who was pregnant at the time, recalled feeling unsafe and violated during her examination, describing how Lee’s actions left her feeling traumatized and fearful for her unborn child. Despite expressing discomfort and asking him to stop, she reported that Lee continued his invasive actions, leading to lasting emotional distress.
The lawsuit also highlights a lack of accountability within the prison’s medical staff. Several women reported that nurses present during their examinations did not intervene or report the misconduct, further perpetuating a culture of silence and fear among the inmates. The complaint alleges that past warnings and complaints about Lee’s behavior were ignored, with the prison leadership failing to act on obvious red flags, including a previous lawsuit against him for a botched procedure that left a patient injured.
The recent allegations have sparked outrage among advocates for incarcerated women, prompting calls for reform within the California prison system. Activists have long criticized the inadequate response to sexual violence in female prisons, emphasizing the need for better protective measures and accountability for staff members. As the lawsuit unfolds, it may serve as a crucial point in the ongoing conversation about the treatment of women in the prison system and the systemic issues that enable such abuses to occur.