- August 8, 2019
Ten inmates at the Prairie du Chien Correctional Institution claim that they are being exposed to dangerous conditions. They allege that there is toxic black mold and asbestos. They also claim that the water is contaminated with led. A lawsuit has been filed against the correctional facility in federal court.
In addition to the lawsuit, which was filed in the US District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, the inmates have also filed a motion for a preliminary injunction, as well as a restraining order that demands they be transferred to a minimum-security correctional facility.
A total of 11 staff members who work at the prion are listed as defendants in the lawsuit. Three of the staff members are identified as “John Doe.”
The lawsuit claims that the inmates have been exposed to asbestos and asbestos-related materials, as well as lead, lead filings, radium, gross alpha, and rust particles in the water supply. It also alleges arbitrary denial of access to sanitary cleaning supplies that could be used to prevent bacteria and disease from spreading throughout the facility.
The 10 inmates who filed the claim also allege that they have been denied appropriate medical care for health-related issues they were experiencing, as well as the mismanagement of taxpayer funds that was intended to be used to make improvements to the rehabilitative program and resources in the educational and legal library.
The lawsuit seeks approximately $5 million in damages, as well as an emergency investigation and testing of all buildings at the Prairie du Chien Correctional Facility. The suit is also demanding the emergency evacuation of inmates and staff from the facility to a minimum security facility where the conditions are safer.
Officials for the State Department of Corrections failed to respond to an email that a local news station sent them regarding their response to the lawsuit
The conditions that the lawsuit the inmates have filed are, indeed, hazardous to their health, if the conditions, are proven to be true. It will be interesting to see what comes of the lawsuit. Inmates deserve to be provided with safe living conditions, and from the sound of the conditions at the Prairie du Chien facility, inmates are not being provided with safe living conditions.
Exposure to mold growth is known to cause adverse health effects. Symptoms can vary, but can include headaches, coughing, wheezing, rashes, eye irritation, fever, fatigue, mood changes, memory loss, and in severe cases ,it can cause organ damage and respiratory infections.
Mold Inspection & Testing Milwaukee has years of experience performing mold tests in facilities throughout the city. We strongly recommend that the Prairie du Chien arrange to have mold testing performed throughout the facility to ensure the air quality is safe for the inmates. Mold testing should be performed on a regular basis. To speak with an MI&T representative, please call 414.939.5969.
