Michigan's women's prison, Huron Valley Correctional Facility, is riddled with infrastructure failures that create ideal conditions for mold growth and spread. Despite the state's claims of a safe and healthy environment, internal reports reveal widespread problems, including aging HVAC systems, moisture intrusion, poor air circulation, and deteriorating building materials.
The facility's outdated air-handling systems make it difficult to regulate humidity levels, and multiple rooftop air-conditioning units are listed as being at or beyond the end of their service life. In some areas, failed central air systems have been replaced with temporary window units that do not address ventilation or moisture removal and can worsen indoor air quality.
Moisture intrusion is a significant issue, with compromised roof drains causing standing water during heavy rain and leaking roofs contributing to chronic dampness. Ceiling tiles in several areas are described as rusted, sagging, perforated, or falling apart, indicating prolonged exposure to moisture. The report also highlights widespread rusting of metal door frames, transoms, and steel structural components, particularly at ground level.
The facility's underground tunnel system is another area of concern, with the prison's aging steam and condensate lines running through the tunnels and being described as lined with mineral buildup in need of full replacement. These systems can spread mold spores throughout occupied spaces, making it difficult to clean or paint over surfaces without addressing the underlying issues.
The assessment notes that many problems were known internally before MDOC officials downplayed them. The state's efforts to address these issues have been inadequate, relying on surface-level fixes such as painting and limited repairs, which do not resolve mold problems when moisture sources, ventilation failures, and building envelope defects remain.
Health and environmental experts warn that conditions at Huron Valley Correctional Facility are a breeding ground for mold growth, posing serious health risks to incarcerated women. The facility's poor infrastructure has been linked to respiratory infections, coughing, wheezing, rashes, dizziness, and fatigue, which can be severe enough to meet the legal threshold for cruel and unusual punishment.
In July 2025, a federal judge found conditions at the prison so severe that they may violate the Constitution. The judge highlighted claims that the prison has excessive moisture and lacks proper ventilation, becoming a breeding ground for mold.
The findings of this report raise serious questions about the state's responsibility to provide a safe and healthy environment for its incarcerated women.
The facility's outdated air-handling systems make it difficult to regulate humidity levels, and multiple rooftop air-conditioning units are listed as being at or beyond the end of their service life. In some areas, failed central air systems have been replaced with temporary window units that do not address ventilation or moisture removal and can worsen indoor air quality.
Moisture intrusion is a significant issue, with compromised roof drains causing standing water during heavy rain and leaking roofs contributing to chronic dampness. Ceiling tiles in several areas are described as rusted, sagging, perforated, or falling apart, indicating prolonged exposure to moisture. The report also highlights widespread rusting of metal door frames, transoms, and steel structural components, particularly at ground level.
The facility's underground tunnel system is another area of concern, with the prison's aging steam and condensate lines running through the tunnels and being described as lined with mineral buildup in need of full replacement. These systems can spread mold spores throughout occupied spaces, making it difficult to clean or paint over surfaces without addressing the underlying issues.
The assessment notes that many problems were known internally before MDOC officials downplayed them. The state's efforts to address these issues have been inadequate, relying on surface-level fixes such as painting and limited repairs, which do not resolve mold problems when moisture sources, ventilation failures, and building envelope defects remain.
Health and environmental experts warn that conditions at Huron Valley Correctional Facility are a breeding ground for mold growth, posing serious health risks to incarcerated women. The facility's poor infrastructure has been linked to respiratory infections, coughing, wheezing, rashes, dizziness, and fatigue, which can be severe enough to meet the legal threshold for cruel and unusual punishment.
In July 2025, a federal judge found conditions at the prison so severe that they may violate the Constitution. The judge highlighted claims that the prison has excessive moisture and lacks proper ventilation, becoming a breeding ground for mold.
The findings of this report raise serious questions about the state's responsibility to provide a safe and healthy environment for its incarcerated women.
just read this article about Michigan's women's prison and it's like they're playing a game of russian roulette with their prisoners' health 
i mean, who needs mold growth and respiratory infections when you can have a pretty prison 
? it's all about the $$$$ for the state 
not about taking care of human lives 
. I mean, I'm all for giving people second chances, but not when they're gonna suffocate in their cells or develop some nasty mold-related illness 
. And the worst part is, it's been like this for years and nobody did anything about it. It's like they just turned a blind eye to the whole thing 
.
, but come on! A little bit of TLC wouldn't kill anyone. And what really gets me is that the state knew about all these problems internally and just kinda... ignored them 
. It's like they were waiting for someone to get sick or die so they could say "oh no, we had no idea!" 
.
. We need to hold the state accountable and make sure these kinds of conditions never happen again 
.
surface-level fixes like painting and limited repairs dont cut it when u got moisture sources ventilation failures and building envelope defects r all still present
I'm telling you, it's no surprise the conditions at Huron Valley Correctional Facility are so bad. I've got a buddy who works there and they're always complaining about the moldy air and damp floors. It's like they knew all along but didn't want to admit it. The state is dragging its feet on fixing these problems, just sticking with surface-level fixes that don't even come close to solving the issue. It's a recipe for disaster, especially considering how many health problems are already happening there. I mean, who wants to be stuck in a place where you're constantly getting sick? Not me, that's for sure.