“Behind Bars: The Deadly Impact of Heat and Humidity on Incarcerated Individuals in the US”
A recent study conducted by researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, Montana State University, University of Kansas, and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has shed light on the hazardous conditions faced by incarcerated individuals in the United States due to extreme heat and humidity. The study estimates that approximately 1.8 million incarcerated people in the U.S. are exposed to dangerous combinations of heat and humidity, with an average of 100 days of such conditions each year. Shockingly, 44 states in the U.S. do not provide universal air conditioning to inmates, leaving them vulnerable to heat-related illnesses.
The research findings indicate that the number of dangerous humid heat days in carceral facilities has been on the rise in recent decades, with the southern states experiencing the most rapid warming. The study highlights the significant health risks associated with prolonged exposure to excess heat and humidity, including heat stroke, kidney disease from chronic dehydration, and other health issues. Despite the alarming data, the issue of dangerous heat impacting incarcerated individuals has been largely overlooked, with many dismissing their suffering as justified.
The study reveals that more than half of all dangerous heat and humidity exposures in the U.S. occur in Florida and Texas, with incarcerated individuals in these states accounting for a significant portion of the total exposure. The worst facilities experience dangerous heat and humidity for a substantial portion of the year, with some facilities in southern California, Arizona, Texas, and inland Florida experiencing an average of 75 days or more per year of dangerous humid heat.
Furthermore, the research highlights the disproportionate vulnerability of incarcerated individuals to dangerous heat due to preexisting health conditions. With 43% of the state prison population having a previous mental health diagnosis and individuals on psychotropic medications being at increased risk for heat illness, the need for urgent intervention and mitigation measures is evident.
The study utilized data from the PRISM Climate Group and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to estimate heat and humidity levels in 4,078 carceral facilities nationwide. The findings underscore the urgent need for laws mandating safe temperature ranges, enhanced social and physical infrastructure, and focused health system interventions to address the issue of hazardous heat and humidity in U.S. jails and prisons.
In conclusion, the study emphasizes the critical importance of addressing the impact of climate change on incarcerated individuals and calls for immediate action to protect this vulnerable population from the dangers of extreme heat and humidity. The findings serve as a wake-up call to policymakers, health officials, and the public to prioritize the health and well-being of incarcerated individuals in the face of worsening climate conditions.