Two female prisoners at the Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility have died in less than a week, according to the Michigan Department of Corrections.
Khaira Howard, 28, died May 14 in a medical observation cell, less than two weeks before she was supposed to be paroled, according to MDOC and Todd Flood Law, who is representing more than 900 current and former inmates in a lawsuit about the use of body-worn cameras at the prison. Rebecca Fackler, 57, died May 17, reportedly after she was denied medical care by Corrections staff, Flood’s office said.
The prison has been under fire over its conditions. The state House oversight committee heard testimony in February from prisoners, advocates and former staff testified about the conditions, including mold and a lack of medical care.
The prison houses about 1,800 women; it has a capacity for 2,000.
Howard’s and Fackler’s deaths are under investigation, said MDOC spokesperson Jenni Riehle. They are the only two women who have died at Huron Valley this year, Riehle said.
Six women died at the prison in 2025, Riehle said. Four died of chronic conditions and two died of unknown causes. Jennifer Jean Wallace died of sepsis stemming from what her family believes was an abscessed tooth that became infected after she could not receive treatment.
Riehle said MDOC Director Heidi Washington and health care leadership are onsite at the prison and “will be working closely with custody and medical staff.”
“Full investigations include a mortality review, an autopsy conducted by an independent medical examiner, and an administrative investigation which includes a review of procedural compliance. The department is prioritizing the investigations and working to conclude them without delay,” Riehle said in a statement. “The department takes the safety and security of those under our supervision very seriously and has comprehensive processes and medical protocols for health emergencies. This includes processes for assessing patient health by qualified onsite staff, requesting outside emergency medical services if needed, and conducting life saving measures.
“All incarcerated individuals are provided a consistent community standard of care which includes access to regular medical assessments, outside specialists, and emergency services. In partnership with qualified medical professionals, the department helps to manage all health care needs of patients, including those with long-term chronic conditions, some of which are terminal.”
Riehle said MDOC recently worked with an independent expert to do comprehensive environmental testing at the prison and found the results were consistent with expected results typically found in large settings where individuals live and work. She said claims of “dangerous, systemic, black or toxic mold conditions are simply false.”
Flood Law Senior Attorney David Champine said its investigation of the deaths of the two women are part of the firm’s ongoing civil rights litigation. He said in a statement the deaths “did not occur in isolation” and noted that MDOC reports indicate there are dozens of open health care positions at any time, resulting in a deficit in health care in the system.
“These women deserved better. Their families deserve answers,” Champine said in a statement. “And, the more than 900 women connected to our ongoing litigation against WHV deserve to know that someone is paying attention.”
kberg@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Two inmates die in four days at Michigan’s only women’s prison
Reporting by Kara Berg, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
