prisons
Newsletter
Credit: Hédi Benyounes/Unsplash
Prisoners across the US face life-threatening heat as climate change worsens
Inmates in prisons without air conditioning, especially in regions unaccustomed to extreme heat, are increasingly at risk as temperatures rise due to climate change.
In short:
- Prisons in many states lack universal air conditioning, putting inmates at serious risk during heat waves.
- Research links extreme heat with higher mortality rates in prisons, yet many heat-related deaths go unreported.
- Advocates push for improved cooling measures in prisons, but progress remains slow and inadequate.
Key quote:
“The Earth is getting hotter, and IDOC, and corrections, in general, is not adjusting, not doing anything to make sure that prisoners are safe.”
— Anthony Ehlers, incarcerated at Stateville Correctional Center
Why this matters:
Rising temperatures pose a growing threat to the health and safety of prisoners, especially in facilities unprepared for such conditions. Without intervention, the human cost will likely increase as climate change accelerates.
Related coverage:
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Newsletter
Prisoners in Texas sue over unsafe heat conditions
Texas prisoners are suing for air conditioning, arguing that extreme heat in the state’s prisons amounts to cruel and unusual punishment.
In short:
- A lawsuit claims that the excessive heat in Texas prisons, where temperatures can exceed 110 degrees Fahrenheit, is a form of cruel and unusual punishment.
- The suit argues that air conditioning should be installed to protect inmates, especially those with medical conditions.
- Texas has provided air conditioning to some units, but the majority of its prison cells remain without it.
Key quote:
“We’re not asking to make incarcerated folks comfortable. The state has a responsibility to safely house the incarcerated population that is in its care.”
— Marci Marie Simmons, former inmate and plaintiff
Why this matters:
Extreme heat poses a severe health risk, especially for vulnerable inmates in Texas prisons, where conditions are worsening due to climate change. Ensuring humane conditions is vital as heatwaves become more frequent and intense.
For more: Texas prisons face lawsuit over dangerously high temperatures
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Newsletter
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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Edison Ariel Ortiz: Sweltering days in a Georgia prison without air conditioning
Only 25% of the state’s prisons have universal cooling systems, causing unsustainable and inhumane conditions, even heat-related deaths.
theintercept.com
Congress climate resiliency focus limited to military bases
Since 2019, Congress has repeatedly held hearings on climate resiliency for bases, but hardly ever talks about schools, public housing, or prisons.
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.
www.nytimes.com
For prisoners in the West, the virus and the wildfires are colliding
Prisoners are more vulnerable than ever to the twin crises of the pandemic and a historic wildfire season.
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