California Inmate's Wife Secures $5.6 Million Settlement After Illegal Strip Search
Christina Cardenas, the wife of a California inmate, has reached a $5.6 million settlement after being subjected to what she and her attorneys described as an unlawful and invasive strip search during a visit to see her husband in 2019. The lawsuit names the California Correctional Institution (CCI), the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), and Adventist Health Tehachapi as defendants.
On September 6, 2019, Cardenas drove four hours to the California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi to visit her husband, Carlos Eugene Cardenas. Upon arrival, Cardenas was interrogated by correctional officers about whether she had brought any drugs or other contraband with her. Although she denied having any illegal items, officers informed her that she would undergo a strip search.
The search warrant held by the officers specified that a body cavity search could only be conducted if an X-ray indicated the presence of foreign objects. Despite this limitation, officers forced Cardenas through a highly invasive process. She was instructed to undress completely, squat over a mirror, and perform humiliating maneuvers while correctional officers searched for contraband. No illegal substances or items were found, however Cardenas was then transported in handcuffs to Adventist Health’s Emergency Department, where further searches were conducted.
At the hospital, Cardenas was forced to undergo a CT scan and an X-ray, despite her objections and without any reasonable basis as per the original warrant. Even after these scans showed no evidence of foreign objects, Cardenas was subjected to a physical examination by a male doctor with a correctional officer remaining in the room.
Following the extensive examination and searches, hospital staff and law enforcement did not recover any contraband. However, Cardenas’ scheduled visitation with her husband was canceled on behalf of the correctional facility and she was billed thousands of dollars for the hospital’s services.
The settlement includes $3.6 million from the CDCR, with the remaining amount coming from other involved defendants. As part of the agreement, the CDCR will issue a policy memorandum aimed at ensuring greater protection for visitors who are subjected to searches. The policy changes require that visitors receive a copy of any search warrant, that the scope of the warrant is clearly explained and understood by all parties involved, and that searches adhere strictly to what is authorized.
Cardenas has stated that her decision to pursue this lawsuit was motivated by a desire to prevent others from experiencing similar abuses. She expressed hope that the settlement will act as a deterrent against future mistreatment of visitors to correctional facilities, reminding officials that their actions are subject to legal scrutiny and must respect constitutional rights.
Despite reaching a settlement agreement, the parties involved “deny all of the allegations of wrongdoing.”
