Mold found inside Mabel Bassett Correctional Center, DOC working to fix the issue

MCLOUD, Okla. (KFOR) - Mold found inside the Mabel Bassett Correctional Center has one Oklahoma prison advocate worried about the health of inmates inside. She wants to make sure the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (DOC) takes care of the problem. 

Oklahoma DOC officials confirmed they found mold inside prison cells and other wet areas. They say they are actively working to fix the issue. 

“There's mold in the cells. Their cell door windows are leaking in the winter and summer... Their health is a concern,” said Cynthia Butler, Oklahoma prison advocate.  

KFOR cameras were invited inside the Mabel Bassett Correctional Center on Thursday morning. While we were there, we saw inmates painting their cells. We were told this was not just due to the mold, but also to maintain the facility.  

“We were alerted of some mold issues and some different deficiencies within the facility. We jumped right in. We have remodeled some bathrooms. And as you guys saw that everyone is repainting right now. We are doing our best to eradicate any issues, including mold,” said Kay Thompson, Oklahoma Department of Corrections. 

Former inmate at the woman’s prison and now prison advocate, Cynthia Butler, says mold has been an ongoing issue at the facility for years. 

“You bleach it, it comes right back... The needed items to clean the prison like it should be are just not there for the mold that's been there for a while,” said Butler.  

DOC official Kay Thompson says this issue was brought to their attention only two weeks ago and they immediately started tackling the problem. 

“We investigate. That's what we do... Found it mainly in water area. So, showers, toilets. I think there are a couple of cells that there was leakage that we fixed. We also try to find the root of the problem. So, it's not just we're going to slap a coat of paint over and forget it. We try to figure out why this is happening. Where is the leak coming from? Let's fix it,” said Thompson. 

Thompson says the mold issues at the facility come and go as it was built over 30-years ago. So, upkeep and maintenance at Mabel Bassett is a top priority. 

“It's just like an older home and the older it gets, the more problems that arise. So again, with the facility, it was built in the early nineties. So, we're having to go through and just do regular maintenance. We have full-time maintenance crews that take care of that at all of our facilities,” said Thompson. 

Butler is concerned for the health and well-being of the inmates. She worries that if the problem isn’t tackled quickly, more inmates will get sick.  

“They need to be in it place that is healthy... They need to be able to live in a healthy environment so that they can go to school, they can learn what they need to learn, they can get out and become productive citizens in society,” said Butler. 

Thompson said, “staff are dedicated to make sure that everything's been well taken care of, but sometimes issues arise, and maybe there are needs to take a step further.” 

DOC officials said, “We also have a dedicated unit to help inmates’ family members with issues or just answer questions on how to navigate incarceration. Community Outreach specializes in handling these types of inquiries – 405-425-2607 or community.outreach@doc.ok.gov.”