At least three women have died within less than a month at Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility in Pittsfield, Michigan; their deaths are a direct result of ongoing medical neglect and torture at WHV.
Khaira Howard, 28, not only was denied medication for her schizophrenia diagnosis, the night of her death witnesses reported she had been screaming pleas for help and complaining of chest pains; she was put under observation, but was subsequently left alone by the prison staff for approximately 30-45 minutes. When they returned Khaira was unresponsive. Khaira Howard was set to be released May 27, 2026, she died May 14, 2026.
Rebeca Fackler, 57, was mentally disabled and severely abused both mentally and physically during her time at WHV, it was reported that she spent over 20 years in segregation and was forced to strip naked by guards on at least one occasion. Leading up to her death, she had a cyst on the back of her leg that became infected. On the night of her passing, she reported to guards that her legs were infected, a witness from inside said her legs were very swollen. Instead of getting Rebecca immediate care, guards reprimanded her and she died that night due to the severity of the infection. She died May 16, 2026.
While there are mixed reports surrounding Ashley’s cause of death, we know her friends inside begged CO’s to get medical attention for Ashley for approximately 3 hours leading up to her death. There are rumors of suicide, overdose, among allegations that there is something more nefarious being covered up at The Valley connected to Ashley’s passing. Regardless of Ashley’s cause of death, we know it was preventable.
The deaths of Khaira, Rebecca and Ashley are a result of a disturbing, deep rooted pattern of neglect, abuse, and retaliation toward women who speak out against the inhumane treatment and conditions they face at “The Valley of Death.” These women pled for help, spoke out about the mold, the abuse, the rotten food, lack proper medical care, they were ignored and targeted and now they are dead at the hands of WHV prison staff, MDOC prisoncrats, and state officials all the way up to Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who are all aware of the severe problems at WHV and turn a blind eye.
We see this deadly pattern continue with our friend Krystal Clark, who is medically confirmed to be severely ill due to the black mold at WHV, has met with the Ombudsman and other state officials who see her condition and still deny, ignore, and retaliate against Krystal.
Along with Krystal, there are women inside WHV with surgeries that can’t heal properly due to unhygienic conditions and improper medical care, women who are denied mobility aids, instances of infected G-Tubes, untreated broken bones, and more. Additionally, over half of the population in WHV are elderly women, many with severe ailments who lack proper care and would otherwise qualify for medical clemency.
The situation at WHV is a microcosm OF EVERY ISSUE OF CAPITALISM AND EVERY BATTLE AGAINST CAPITALISM, shutting down WHV is an urgent task we need to fight for and we will fight to see the end of the amerikkkan carceral system.
WE DEMAND:
- Independant and transparent investigations surrounding the deaths of Ashley, Khaira, and Rebecca: Release all findings, medical files, bodycam/ security footage, etc. to their families!
- Financial reparations to the grieving families and for the women inside surviving torture due to medical neglect and uninhabitable conditions at WHV! Immediate outside medical care to all women needing treatment and medical clemency for all the severely frail women inside.
- Gretchen Whitmer immediately release Krystal Clark!
- Shut Down Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility “the Valley of Death”, FREE KRYSTAL, and FREE THEM ALL!!!
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