2026 Senate Resolution 130

Whereas, The Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) is responsible for overseeing the operation and security of our state’s 26 correctional facilities. These facilities house over 34,000 individuals who have been sentenced to imprisonment under the care and custody of the MDOC; and

Whereas, In recent months, more and more attention has been brought upon the MDOC and the existing conditions within its facilities. This has included allegations that inmates at Huron Valley Correctional Facility, the state’s only women’s prison, are being exposed to, and forced to clean, toxic mold; and

Whereas, Public attention on the MDOC and its facilities has not been limited to the living conditions within. For years, both employees of the department and the general public have been raising concerns about the unsafe staffing levels and staff vacancy rates that continue to plague our correctional facilities. According to the MDOC’s own reporting, as of May 20, 2026, facilities in the state had staff vacancy rates as high as 40.6 percent. Huron Valley was reported to have a vacancy rate of 17.9%. This lack of appropriate staffing not only endangers the lives of the Michiganders who work in these facilities, but the individuals serving out their sentences as well; and

Whereas, In addition to allegations of unsafe living conditions and staffing, Huron Valley has recently faced increased public scrutiny over the unexpected deaths of two inmates. Within four days in May 2026, Khaira Howard, who was set to be released two weeks before her death, and Rebecca Fackler died while serving their sentences at Huron Valley, raising concerns about the medical care provided at the prison. Their deaths are currently under investigation; and

Whereas, The Special Litigation Section in the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice is charged with reviewing the conditions and practices within state correctional institutions to ensure that the individuals institutionalized within these facilities are not having their rights violated. The Special Litigation Section has conducted a number of investigations into correctional facilities in other states, including a December 2025 investigation into 21 facilities operated by the Colorado Department of Corrections and 12 facilities operated by the Colorado Department of Human Services Division of Youth Services. This investigation is focused on allegations of inadequate medical care, as well as unsafe and unsanitary conditions; and

Whereas, Federal law permits the Attorney General of the United States to bring a civil action against certain state actors when the Attorney General has reasonable cause to believe that the individuals confined within state correctional facilities are being subjected to egregious or flagrant conditions that deprive them of the rights, privileges, or immunities that are secured or protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States. Such a lawsuit was brought against the state of Alabama and the Alabama Department of Corrections in December 2020 for, among other things, failing to provide safe and sanitary conditions; and

Whereas, Given the concerning allegations being made against the MDOC, the unexpected and unexplained deaths that are occurring within our correctional facilities, and the lack of transparency being offered by the department, it is necessary for the Department of Justice to step in and ensure that all rights, privileges, and immunities afforded under federal law are being respected; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That we call on the United States Department of Justice to investigate the recent deaths at the Huron Valley Correctional Facility; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Acting Attorney General of the United States.