Formerly incarcerated individuals in Colorado have reported experiencing harsh living conditions inside the state’s prisons and jails, including extreme heat, freezing cold, and overflowing sewage water. A study conducted by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder uncovered these issues, highlighting how prisons and jails have failed to provide humane protections from environmental hazards exacerbated by climate change. The study, published in Environment and Planning E: Nature and Space, emphasizes the need for dynamic responses to protect incarcerated individuals in the face of increasing climate risks.
Studies show that climate change is likely to intensify extreme weather events such as heat waves, winter storms, flooding, and wildfires in Colorado. The team of researchers, comprised of experts in engineering, environmental design, and environmental justice, aimed to explore how incarceration facilities handle these climate hazards, an understudied topic in academia. Despite efforts to engage with carceral facilities directly, the researchers found that none responded to interview requests. Instead, they interviewed 35 formerly incarcerated individuals from various prisons and jails, all of whom reported experiencing discomfort due to extreme temperatures, poor air quality, and water issues.
Many prisons and jails in Colorado lack proper air conditioning or fail to use it effectively, resulting in residents being subjected to uncomfortable temperatures for extended periods. Additionally, more than one-third of interviewees had experienced wildfires while incarcerated, describing how smoke entered their cells through cracked windows, causing discomfort and health issues. The researchers also found that evacuation protocols for natural disasters, such as wildfires, were poorly organized and inefficient, putting incarcerated individuals at further risk during emergencies.
The study’s findings reflect a larger national pattern of inadequate disaster planning and response within incarceration facilities. Incidents in North Carolina and Florida following hurricanes highlighted the challenges incarcerated individuals face during extreme weather events, with reports of facilities lacking power, running water, and proper evacuation procedures. Some individuals described sleeping in rooms with overflowing toilets, emphasizing the need for improved conditions and accountability within the criminal justice system.
Despite facing challenges, study participants found ways to cope with poor living conditions, such as flooding their cells to cool down or blocking out wildfire smoke with makeshift barriers. The researchers hope that their study will shed light on the need for more research into climate change adaptation, mitigation, and prevention within incarceration facilities, while amplifying the voices of those directly impacted. They emphasize the importance of recognizing the disproportionate hardships faced by incarcerated individuals and the need for reforms to ensure their safety and well-being.
Efforts from state legislators to improve conditions within incarceration facilities are underway, but progress is hindered by differing opinions on the nature of punishment. The researchers argue that exposure to extreme temperatures, poor air quality, and other environmental hazards should not be considered acceptable forms of punishment, emphasizing the need for reforms that prioritize the well-being of incarcerated individuals. By amplifying the voices of those who have experienced harsh living conditions in prisons and jails, the study aims to inspire further research and advocacy for more humane and equitable treatment of individuals within the criminal justice system.
