Friday a jury awarded $15 million to 10 female inmates for rape and sexual harrassment they suffered at the ands of male staff in a Michigan state prison.

Once interest is factored in, the women could get about $30 million.

Jurors heard three weeks of testimony before starting deliberations Thursday.

The case is just the start of what could be many more trials.

Lawyers say there are another 490 women with cases, who could be tried 10 at a time.

The Washtenaw case was the first trial ever in Michigan concerning the issue of female prisoners being sexually abused by guards and others.

The state Department of Corrections plans to appeal.

The lawsuit was filed in 1996.