Heat-Related Prison Deaths Are Rising Due to Climate Change

As climate change continues to worsen, rising temperatures are causing harmful and deadly consequences. In the U.S. prison system, heat-related deaths are on the rise, with a 20% increase in the past two years. This article sheds light on how climate change is exacerbating living conditions within the prison system, leading to negative health impacts and deaths of incarcerated individuals.

The article highlights how currently, only a third of prisons in the U.S. have air conditioning, leading to unbearable conditions in heatwaves. Additionally, prisons are often located in areas that experience extreme temperature increases, such as the south, and are surrounded by concrete, which increases the temperature even more. This combination of factors leads to an inhumane and potentially fatal environment for those serving time.

Furthermore, the article also mentions how incarcerated individuals often have underlying health conditions due to poor healthcare, which makes them more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. This vulnerability is compounded by the fact that prisons are often understaffed and overpopulated, leading to inadequate care for these individuals.

While it is important to recognize the dangers of climate change everywhere, this article highlights a group that is often overlooked in the conversation - incarcerated individuals. The issue of heat-related deaths in prisons is a human rights concern that needs attention and action from lawmakers and prison advocates. As temperatures continue to rise, more needs to be done to protect vulnerable populations, including those behind bars.