Michigan inmate on death's door from mold illness, pleas with governor for mercy.
In a desperate bid to save her life, Krystal Clark, a 41-year-old inmate at Michigan's Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility, has recorded an emotional audio message pleading with Governor Gretchen Whitmer and corrections officials to intervene before it is too late.
Clark, who has been incarcerated since 2011 for armed robbery, has long warned about the toxic mold inside the prison. In a 13-minute audio recording obtained by her advocates, she sobs as she begs for mercy, saying: "I am begging for my life."
The prison's conditions have been shrouded in secrecy, but medical records and court filings suggest that Clark has suffered years of exposure to black mold that has left her with severe respiratory problems, partial paralysis, and a weakened immune system.
In the recording, Clark accuses the prison's medical care of being grossly inadequate. "The medical care is ridiculous and disgusting," she says. "They barely even know anything. How did they even get licenses?"
Clark repeatedly asks why she has not been released or transferred to a hospital when her condition is documented and worsening. "I deserve to be free," she says. "Not saying that other people don't deserve to be free too. But why am I not on that list?"
Her advocates say the answer points to a broader failure of accountability within the corrections system. "You cannot champion releases publicly while knowingly leaving someone to die in custody," Trische Duckworth, executive director of Survivors Speak, said in a statement. "That is not reform. That is selective mercy."
Clark's supporters are calling on Whitmer to grant her medical clemency or order her immediate transfer to a hospital outside the prison. Her clemency application remains pending.
As the audio ended, Clark was still crying. In a heartbreaking plea, she said: "I just want to hug my mother again... I just want to be alive."
In a desperate bid to save her life, Krystal Clark, a 41-year-old inmate at Michigan's Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility, has recorded an emotional audio message pleading with Governor Gretchen Whitmer and corrections officials to intervene before it is too late.
Clark, who has been incarcerated since 2011 for armed robbery, has long warned about the toxic mold inside the prison. In a 13-minute audio recording obtained by her advocates, she sobs as she begs for mercy, saying: "I am begging for my life."
The prison's conditions have been shrouded in secrecy, but medical records and court filings suggest that Clark has suffered years of exposure to black mold that has left her with severe respiratory problems, partial paralysis, and a weakened immune system.
In the recording, Clark accuses the prison's medical care of being grossly inadequate. "The medical care is ridiculous and disgusting," she says. "They barely even know anything. How did they even get licenses?"
Clark repeatedly asks why she has not been released or transferred to a hospital when her condition is documented and worsening. "I deserve to be free," she says. "Not saying that other people don't deserve to be free too. But why am I not on that list?"
Her advocates say the answer points to a broader failure of accountability within the corrections system. "You cannot champion releases publicly while knowingly leaving someone to die in custody," Trische Duckworth, executive director of Survivors Speak, said in a statement. "That is not reform. That is selective mercy."
Clark's supporters are calling on Whitmer to grant her medical clemency or order her immediate transfer to a hospital outside the prison. Her clemency application remains pending.
As the audio ended, Clark was still crying. In a heartbreaking plea, she said: "I just want to hug my mother again... I just want to be alive."
this is so sad her suffering is not being taken care of and its all because the system is failing her 
it seems like she's been pleading for help for years but no one is listening or doing anything about it 
what's even worse is that there are people who know about her situation but choose to ignore it. it's heartbreaking to hear her beg for mercy and just want to be alive again 
. this is all just a huge mess and i don't think anyone has a clear solution yet...
. I'm not surprised that the medical care is bad, it's been exposed before and nobody does anything about it. Governor Whitmer needs to step up her game here, like what's she gonna do? Her advocates are right, this isn't reform, it's just mercy for some people but not others... it's all messed up 
. We need to hold those in power accountable for these things, it's the only way we're gonna make a change 
she's literally begging for her life and no one's listening 
it's like the prison system is just throwing people away when they're not even supposed to be there in the first place 
anyone who thinks they can fix things from the outside needs to step up and help this woman out ASAP 
the system is supposed to be there for people, not abandon them when they need it most 
. the fact that the prison's medical care is being called out as grossly inadequate is shocking. i mean, how can they expect someone with severe respiratory problems and a weakened immune system to recover in an environment like that? 
. if you're going to publicly champion releases, why not prioritize someone who's literally dying from preventable health issues? 
it's time for change, and i hope Governor Whitmer takes action soon 
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. How can anyone expect someone who's been exposed to black mold for years to just magically recover?
. We need to make sure that people like Krystal aren't just forgotten in the system because of their circumstances. It's heartbreaking to think about her just wanting to hug her mom again... and now she might not even get that chance 
, and she's paying the price for it. its not like she asked for this 
. clemency or hospital transfer - whatever it takes to save this woman's life 
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. Clark's got a serious case going on and she's still stuck in that toxic hellhole. It's like, what's the point of even having mercy if you're just gonna let someone slip away? 
can you believe this?! Krystal's story is literally breaking my heart 
i mean krystal clark deserves better she's pleadn her life out but still gettin ignored