A resolution calling on the United States Department of Justice to investigate the recent deaths at the Huron Valley Correctional Facility.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ed McBroom and 1 co-sponsor

The Michigan Senate asks the DOJ to investigate Huron Valley Correctional Facility conditions, deaths, staffing shortages, and medical care adequacy.

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Summary of SR 130 (2025-2026) — Michigan Senate

Purpose

A resolution urging the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate the recent deaths at the Huron Valley Correctional Facility (HVCF), Michigan’s only women’s prison.

Key Provisions and Provisions Details

Calls on the DOJ to conduct an investigation into:

Allegations of unsafe living conditions, including claims of inmates at HVCF being exposed to and forced to clean toxic mold.
Safety and adequacy of medical care and overall conditions within the facility.
Staffing concerns and high vacancy rates contributing to safety risks for both staff and incarcerated individuals.

Highlights related context:

MDOC operates 26 facilities housing over 34,000 inmates.
As of May 20, 2026, statewide staff vacancy rates reached up to 40.6%, with HVCF at 17.9%.
Two inmate deaths in May 2026 at HVCF (Khaira Howard and Rebecca Fackler) are noted as under investigation, prompting focus on medical care and facility conditions.

Justification for federal action:

References the U.S. DOJ Civil Rights Division’s authority to investigate state correctional facilities for egregious or flagrant conditions that violate rights, with precedent from prior investigations (e.g., Colorado facilities) and a federal legal framework allowing civil actions by the Attorney General in cases of unsafe or unsanitary conditions.

Legal mechanism:

The resolution is non-binding advocacy urging federal action; it does not itself create new state law but requests federal intervention.

Affected Parties and Impacts

Primary subjects:

Inmates at Huron Valley Correctional Facility.
MDOC and its operations, including medical and housing conditions.
Prison staff affected by staffing shortages and working conditions.

Broader implications:

If the DOJ opens an investigation, potential federal findings could lead to court-approved reforms or oversight.
Increases attention to prison conditions and may influence state policy discussions on staffing, medical care, and facility maintenance.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Status: Introduced in the Michigan Senate on June 16, 2026, by Senator Edward McBroom; co-sponsored by Senators McBroom and Runestad.

Next steps: As a Senate resolution, it serves as a formal request or expression of concern to the federal government and does not require passage by the House to have effect with federal action, though it may prompt related discussions or actions within state and federal channels.

Transmission: If adopted, copies of the resolution would be transmitted to the Acting Attorney General of the United States.

Plain-Language Takeaways

The Michigan Senate is asking the DOJ to investigate conditions and recent deaths at Huron Valley Correctional Facility.

The resolution emphasizes concerns about toxic mold, unsafe staffing levels, and medical care adequacy.

It frames the DOJ’s federal authority to address potential rights violations in state prisons and cites recent federal investigations as precedent.

The measure is a formal request to federal authorities and does not impose new requirements on the state government.