Adams, Crockett, McBath, Pressley Lead Letter on Extreme Heat Safety in Federal Prisons
WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Representatives Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Lucy McBath (GA-06), and Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) sent a letter signed by 40 House Democrats to the Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) William Marshall regarding extreme heat protections for incarcerated people in federal prisons given record heat waves that have swept the country this summer.
In the letter, the lawmakers wrote, “We write to you with concern regarding the impact that record heat waves will have on staff and people who are incarcerated across the 122 Federal Bureau of Prisons’ (BOP) facilities and request information that may guide Congressional action to better assist efforts to improve the state of facilities.”
They expressed concern over how extreme heat may be impacting federal inmates, referencing significant rates of heat-related deaths in Texas state prisons, noting, “a 2022 study reports that approximately 13 percent of deaths in Texas prisons between 2001 and 2019 may be attributed to extreme heat days, with an average of 14 inmate deaths per year in facilities without air conditioning.”
The lawmakers also raised concern over the current state of BOP personnel and infrastructure, discussing how that may impact the Bureau’s ability to respond to extreme heat in federal prisons: “Several reports, including one conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, emphasize the ongoing crisis BOP facilities face due to severe staffing shortages and deteriorating infrastructure. Aging infrastructure poses significant risks to facilities lacking proper air-conditioning systems, which are critically important in preventing serious health issues associated with extreme heat. Staffing shortages limit staff capacity to mitigate extreme heat issues, making those with medical and mental health conditions that are exacerbated by high temperatures more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses or deaths.”
The lawmakers concluded by saying, “In Congress, we hope to use the information and feedback you provide to work collaboratively in addressing these urgent issues and ensuring that people are living and working in humane and safe conditions.”
The letter calls for a response within 30 days.
The full letter can be found here.