Federal Prison Officials Refuse to Test Mold

Hundreds of correctional officers are working in federal prisons with mold growing in areas constantly populated by both officers and inmates. Prison leaders have allowed the mold to fester for years in some cases, refusing to test it, under Bureau of Prisons policy, McClatchy Newspapers reports. Top union officials for correctional officers said prison leaders have balked at exterminating mold, refusing to hire contractors who can adequately eliminate it. A 2015 BOP memo says, “Currently there is no OSHA standard for unacceptable levels of mold in the workplace. According to OSHA, it is generally not necessary to identify the specific genus and species of mold. Since an individual’s susceptibility (i.e. potentially allergic staff or inmates) can vary greatly, mold sampling may not be reliable in determining health risks.”