prisoners
Newsletter
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Prisoners fight back against extreme heat on former slave plantation
Inmates at Louisiana's Angola prison, working in extreme heat on a former slave plantation, have filed a lawsuit for relief from dangerous conditions.
Margie Mason and Robin McDowell report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Prisoners at Louisiana State Penitentiary work long hours in extreme heat with minimal protection.
- A federal judge issued a restraining order against the state, demanding better heat-related policies for prisoners.
- Inmates, advocacy groups and a judge argue the conditions are cruel and unusual punishment.
Key quote:
"I saw guys collapse. There were dudes that got heat stroke. There were dudes with underlying conditions, older or had some sort of disability, but they had to go out there, too."
— Lamont Gross, inmate
Why this matters:
Extreme heat poses severe health risks to prisoners, exacerbated by climate change. This lawsuit highlights ongoing issues of prison labor and inmate welfare in the U.S.
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Heat wave intensifies crisis in overcrowded Philippine jails
A severe heat wave in the Philippines has exacerbated dire conditions in the country's already overcrowded detention facilities, causing a surge in heat-related illnesses among inmates.
In short:
- Temperatures soared past 122 degrees, leading to thousands of cases of boils, rashes, and skin diseases among inmates.
- Philippine jails, some operating at over 20 times their capacity, have struggled with severe overcrowding since Duterte's anti-drug campaign.
- The Philippine Supreme Court ordered judges to assess the impact of extreme heat on inmates, acknowledging the climate crisis's effects on prison populations.
Why this matters:
The extreme heat in Philippine jails highlights the urgent need for systemic reforms to address both overcrowding and climate resilience. Without significant policy changes, the health and safety of inmates remain at severe risk.
Related EHN coverage:
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Credit: Džoko Stach/Pixabay
Texas prisons face lawsuit over dangerously high temperatures
Advocates seek judicial intervention to manage life-threatening heat in Texas prisons this summer.
Pooja Salhotra and William Melhado report for The Texas Tribune.
In short:
- A legal complaint challenges the lack of air conditioning in most Texas prisons, labeling it as cruel and unusual punishment.
- The suit represents all inmates in such conditions, citing past deaths and ongoing risks during the intense summer heat.
- Despite some new air conditioning installations, most facilities remain uncooled, raising health and safety concerns.
Key quote:
“What is truly infuriating is the failure to acknowledge that everyone in the system — all 130,000 prisoners — are at direct risk of being impacted by something that has a simple solution that has been around since the 1930s, and that is air conditioning.”
— Jeff Edwards, attorney.
Why this matters:
Excessive heat in prisons threatens inmates' health and survival and exacerbates tensions and violence, impacting staff and operational safety.
David Pellow argues that powerful institutions are criminalizing populations by locking people up and deeming them undeserving of clean air, water and healthy housing.
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Credit: Milad Fakurian/Unsplash
Rising temperatures threaten inmates in US prisons
In a comprehensive study, rising temperatures pose a significant threat to the health of prisoners in the U.S., especially in Texas and Florida.
In short:
- The number of hazardous heat days in nearly half of U.S. mainland detention facilities has climbed over the last four decades.
- Heat conditions exceed safe thresholds in these prisons, potentially causing severe health issues for the incarcerated population.
- Limited cooling options, concrete structures, and the geographical location of prisons amplify the threat of extreme temperatures.
Key quote:
"When temperatures rise, prisoners are sitting ducks, utterly powerless to protect themselves from lethal levels of heat and humidity."
— David C Fathi, director of the National Prison Project at the ACLU
Why this matters:
Extreme heat can exacerbate a range of health problems, including heatstroke, dehydration, and exacerbation of chronic conditions such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. In addition, the mental health impact of prolonged exposure to excessive heat can lead to increased stress, aggression, and exacerbate mental health conditions, thereby not only affecting the individuals but also potentially increasing tensions and violence within the prison environment.
Be sure to read EHN's coverage: Increasing temperatures and heatwaves threaten our physical and mental health.
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therealnews.com
Mass incarceration is an environmental justice issue, and vice versa
Prisoners in the United States are forced to drink contaminated water, breathe poor quality air, and live on or near land full of hazardous materials. These experts say that this must change.
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