# Pennsylvania Prisons Struggle with Extreme Weather

> Pennsylvania’s aging prisons face deadly heat and cold risks for women and seniors.
- Title: Pennsylvania Prisons Struggle with Extreme Weather | Shortify
- Summary: Pennsylvania’s aging prisons face deadly heat and cold risks for women and seniors. Extreme weather in Pennsylvania’s outdated prisons increases illness and…
- Keywords: pennsylvania, prisons, extreme heat, women, seniors, healthcare, incarceration, weather, science, ideas, Struggle, Extreme
- Source: The Conversation — https://theconversation.com/pennsylvanias-aging-prisons-werent-built-for-todays-extreme-weather-leaving-women-and-seniors-especially-at-risk-of-illness-and-death-293079
- Author: Jaquelyn Jahn
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: pennsylvania, prisons, extreme heat, women, seniors, healthcare, incarceration, weather, science, ideas
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Extreme weather in Pennsylvania’s outdated prisons increases illness and death risks for women and seniors.