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LIVINGSTON COUNTY, Mich. – Water service disruptions are impacting hundreds of inmates and employees at Woodland Center Correctional Facility as contractors work to repair what the Michigan Department of Corrections described as a complex water main break.
The facility has experienced intermittent water disruptions since Tuesday afternoon, according to the department.
The entrance off of M-36 was blocked off Thursday evening while repair crews worked at the facility.
Woodland Center Correctional houses the department’s Inpatient Mental Health and Crisis Stabilization Program.
It also has a dialysis housing unit.
Greeta Riley said her partner, Torando Ruffin, is incarcerated at the facility and receives dialysis treatment three days a week. Riley said Ruffin told her he received about two and a half hours of treatment Thursday and that a water tank was being used to assist with dialysis care.
“Today he called, and he told me that he only got two and a half hours of treatment and they had a water tank out back, assisting, making sure some of the patients got a partial dialysis today,” Riley said.
Riley said some showers have been limited and that portable toilets are being used.
She also said inmates were being supplied with bottled water.
“They were only given two bottles of water. They wanted more water, because one bottle of water, they’re trying to wash their hands with one bottle. How are you supposed to do anything else with two bottles of water?” Riley said.
Riley said the uncertainty over how long repairs will take has been frustrating.
“The water is brown, so some of the people were actually using some of the brown water just to feel halfway clean,” she said.
In a statement, the Michigan Department of Corrections said it has taken steps to protect inmates and staff while repairs continue.
“The department has taken several steps to ensure the safety of incarcerated individuals and staff, including providing access to alternative water and restroom resources,” the statement said.
The department said dialysis treatment is being provided safely at the facility under the direction of qualified health care professionals.
It said the situation is being monitored closely while repairs are underway.
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