From The Conversation · Jaquelyn Jahn · · 50s
Pennsylvania Prisons Struggle with Extreme Weather
Pennsylvania’s aging prisons face deadly heat and cold risks for women and seniors.
In brief
Pennsylvania’s aging prisons face deadly heat and cold risks for women and seniors. Extreme weather in Pennsylvania’s outdated prisons increases illness and death risks for women and seniors. Originally reported by The Conversation.
Extreme weather risks in prisons
Pennsylvania’s prisons lack air conditioning for extreme heat and heating for cold weather.
Prison population and aging facilities
Pennsylvania has 40,000 incarcerated people, with most prisons built before the 1990s.
Healthcare system under strain
Prison healthcare faces shortages of staff and high costs for medications.
Women face higher heat risks
Incarcerated women experience greater increases in health issues during extreme heat than men.
Menopause and heat risks
Hot flashes and night sweats become life-threatening during extreme heat for women in prison.
Climate resilience needed
Improving prison conditions and healthcare is critical as extreme weather intensifies.
The takeaway
Extreme weather in Pennsylvania’s outdated prisons increases illness and death risks for women and seniors.
