A July 9 update from the Michigan Department of Corrections identified the cause of death for one woman who died at Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility and added new information about a separate legal fight over health concerns at the prison.
Khaira Howard died May 13 at Women’s Huron Valley, Michigan’s only prison for women, located in Ypsilanti Township. According to MDOC, the Washtenaw County Medical Examiner determined Howard died from a pulmonary thromboembolism due to lower extremity deep vein thrombosis. In plain terms, a blood clot formed in her leg and traveled to her lung.
MDOC said Howard’s autopsy report and Michigan State Police incident reports are available on the department’s transparency website. The department’s internal investigation and mortality review remain ongoing, as do investigations into other recent deaths at the prison.
The same update also addressed Krystal Clark, whose attorneys recently filed an emergency motion seeking her removal from Women’s Huron Valley because of alleged health concerns and facility conditions.
Clark’s attorneys have argued in court filings that her health has worsened because of conditions at the prison.
MDOC said Clark’s allegations are not supported by the medical evidence or facts known to the department. It also said Clark is not experiencing an emergency medical condition that requires transfer.
Still, the department said Clark would be temporarily placed at Duane Waters Health Center in Jackson on July 9 while the legal parties have more time to review the motion. Duane Waters is operated by MDOC.
According to MDOC, the court required the department to respond to Clark’s emergency motion in less than three days because the motion sought emergency relief. MDOC said the court would extend that deadline to the typical 21 days if Clark was removed from Women’s Huron Valley during that time, which the department agreed to do.
The department emphasized that the move is temporary and does not mean MDOC agrees Clark is entitled to emergency relief.
“To be clear, this temporary placement is being made solely for the purpose of allowing the legal parties to adequately review this issue and is not an admission or evidence that Ms. Clark is entitled to emergency injunctive relief,” MDOC said.
MDOC said it disputes that Clark’s transfer is medically necessary or that conditions at Women’s Huron Valley pose a medical risk to her.
Public medical records filed in the case and reviewed by The Sun Times News add context to that dispute. A July 2023 MDOC lab report shows mold was identified in wound cultures from Clark’s left and right ears. The mold was later identified as Aspergillus niger complex. The records do not establish where the mold came from or prove prison conditions caused Clark’s symptoms.
MDOC said independent environmental testing conducted at Women’s Huron Valley in 2022 and 2026 did not find dangerous systemic black or toxic mold conditions at the facility.
The department also said MDOC Director Heidi Washington and other department leaders have been regularly on site at Women’s Huron Valley to provide oversight and support. Additional clinical leadership has been called in, and MDOC said a new health care staffing plan is being developed for the prison.
Women’s Huron Valley has faced increased scrutiny following recent deaths, complaints about health care and facility conditions, and calls from advocates and lawmakers for stronger oversight.
MDOC said the public can follow updates through its Transparency and Action website.
114 North Main St Suite 10 Chelsea, MI 48118
