Prison Understaffing and Summer Heat: A Perfect, Deadly Storm
By Vanessa Rojas
Prisons are dangerous and harsh environments, and the dangers of understaffing and sweltering summer heat can make them even more perilous. The combination of these two factors creates a perfect storm that puts both incarcerated people and staff at risk. I know this all too well: I served four years in federal prison.
Understaffing in prisons is a crisis that can have serious consequences. When there aren’t enough officers on duty, it becomes difficult to maintain order and ensure the safety of incarcerated people and staff. In situations where there is a medical emergency or a violent altercation, the lack of sufficient staffing can make it difficult to respond quickly and effectively, putting everyone in the facility in danger.
When I was at FCI Tallahassee Florida, the severe understaffing meant we had to be on lockdown. Lockdown is miserable enough, but one day, the air conditioning went out around the 4 p.m. count time. Most of the staff had left for the day, so no one was around to attend to the issue. It was summertime in Florida — brutally hot. With no air conditioning, cells can become like ovens, trapping heat inside and creating dangerously high temperatures. For those who have medical conditions or are on medication that makes them more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses or death, the situation can be even more dire.
As the reality of the situation sank in that day, we panicked when we realized there were no officers at their usual post in our housing unit because of understaffing. There was no alert button — no way to let anyone know of an emergency or fire. The small staff on duty were rotating around the institution, and we were not the only unit dealing with the extreme heat. It was a scary time for all of us.
Many prisons don’t have air conditioning at all. In some facilities, temperatures inside can reach well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This can have serious health consequences for both incarcerated folks and staff. Heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and dehydration are all very real concerns in these conditions, especially for those who are unable to escape the heat. In the prison where I served my time and in other prisons across the U.S., there is no way to open the windows and allow fresh air to enter. Most windows are sealed shut or are built into the walls with no way to open them.
I recall during those conditions, it was impossible to focus on anything else but trying to stay cool and not panic. There were more fights because everyone was so irritable and miserable. The air was thick and the walls and floors were sweating along with us. It is inconceivable to think there is any rehabilitation going on for incarcerated individuals when they are forced to endure conditions like these.
Staff, too, are forced to endure these extreme temperatures, making it difficult for them to perform their jobs effectively. Many officers may call in sick or refuse to come to work when the heat is too much to bear, further exacerbating the problem of understaffing.
For those who are already vulnerable due to medical conditions or medications that make them more susceptible to heat-related illnesses, the dangers are even greater. Without proper cooling systems or the ability to escape the heat, these individuals are at a heightened risk of serious harm, including death. My loved one, currently incarcerated in California, has a heart condition, and being exposed to the severe heat is life-threatening for him. They are often locked down in their cells, and last summer, he passed out for several hours because of the heat. Understaffing at his facility meant that no staff were doing rounds and no one knew what he was going through.
It is clear that the combination of understaffing and sweltering summer heat in prisons creates a dangerous and potentially deadly situation for all involved. Without proper staffing levels and adequate cooling systems, the risk of heat-related illnesses and deaths is very real. It is essential that steps be taken to address these issues and ensure the safety and well-being of everyone in these facilities. The lives of those incarcerated and working in prisons are at stake, and action must be taken to prevent further harm in these dangerous conditions now.
You can read more about Vanessa here. And FAMM needs your help to fight for desperately needed prison oversight. Please go here to help!
