New York City officials will now inform female inmates of their right to refuse gynecological exams without punishment.
For years, female inmates were forced to undergo the exams or else they faced isolation.
Lawyers representing the inmates claim the policy's threat of isolation resulted in tens of thousands of coerced exams.
In a class-action lawsuit, the city was accused of telling all female inmates admitted to Rikers Island they were required to undergo a pelvic exam, a Pap smear, and a breast exam. If they refused, they'd be placed in isolation.
A lawyer for the plaintiffs says the inmates were unaware of their right to refuse the gynecological exams, which, their representatives claim were not meant to protect them nor were they medically necessary.
New York City officials also agree to pay millions of dollars to people who underwent strip-searches in jail after arrests on misdemeanor or minor violation charges.
