How Extreme Heat Is Killing People in Prisons

The climate crisis is not only affecting the environment, but also the lives of millions of people who are incarcerated in the United States. A new study published in the academic journal PLOS ONE reveals that extreme heat is driving up the mortality rate in prisons across the country, especially in states like Texas, where most prisons lack air conditioning.
The study, conducted by Julie Skarha, an environmental epidemiologist at Brown University’s School of Public Health, analyzed summertime mortality rates from U.S. state and private prisons over the past two decades and found that the death rate rose by 5.2% for every 10°F increase in temperature above historical averages. This means that some 635 prison deaths were due to high heat since 2001.
The study also found that prisoners who are older, black, or have pre-existing health conditions are more likely to die from heat-related causes. These groups are overrepresented in the prison population, which makes them more vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
Prisoners who survive the heat may still suffer from heat exhaustion, heat stroke, dehydration, heat rashes, and muscle cramps. These symptoms can impair their physical and mental health, as well as their ability to participate in rehabilitation programs or educational opportunities.
Prison staff who work in hot conditions may also face health risks, as well as low morale, high turnover, and increased absenteeism. Moreover, taxpayers may have to bear the costs of medical care for prisoners and staff, as well as wrongful death and civil rights lawsuits filed by prisoners’ families or advocacy groups.
Some states have already taken steps to improve prison conditions in response to lawsuits or public pressure. For example, Arizona agreed to install cooling units in some prisons after a federal judge ruled that the state violated the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment. Georgia and Mississippi have also implemented measures such as providing water and ice, allowing prisoners to wear lighter clothing, and creating cooling centers or shaded areas.
However, these solutions are not enough to address the root cause of the problem: the climate crisis. As global temperatures continue to rise, so will the risk of heat-related prison deaths. The study’s author, Skarha, urges policymakers and prison officials to take action to mitigate the effects of climate change on prisons, such as installing air conditioning units, increasing ventilation, reducing overcrowding, and investing in renewable energy sources.
She also calls for more research on the impact of climate change on prisons and other vulnerable populations, such as homeless people, migrant workers, and elderly people. She says that “air conditioning is a human right” and that “we need to protect the most marginalized people in our society from the consequences of our collective actions.”

Please comment below.