Higher temperatures increase suicide risk in American prisons

Higher temperatures increase suicide risk in American prisons

The Impact of Extreme Heat on Prisoners’ Mental Health

Punishing heat is a fact of life inside America’s prisons without air conditioning, and it is taking a serious toll on prisoners’ mental health. A recent study by the Louisiana Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, one of the largest prison systems in the United States, has revealed the alarming impact of extreme heat on prisoners, with suicide risk increasing by 36% when temperatures reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit or more, compared to when temperatures are in the 60s.

The problem of extreme heat and lack of air conditioning within prisons is particularly severe across the American South. David Cloud, the lead researcher and a former doctoral student at Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, explains, “Many of the spaces within prisons where incarcerated people eat, work, and sleep do not have air conditioning.” This lack of relief from the intense heat renders prisoners vulnerable.

Extreme heat is not only uncomfortable but can also disrupt the body’s natural process of thermoregulation, leading to potentially deadly consequences. Moreover, the impact on mental health should be a significant concern, as prisoners already experience feelings of isolation, trauma, depression, and other mental health problems. Cloud emphasizes that the effects of extreme heat can leave individuals feeling “more lethargic, aggravated, and a little depressed.”

Nationwide, there are approximately 2.1 million incarcerated men and women, many of whom spend their days in poorly ventilated cells or crowded rooms without access to shade, cold water, or air-conditioned spaces. Prisons are often constructed with materials that retain heat and have limited windows, impeding proper air circulation. Overcrowding also significantly contributes to the physical and mental strain caused by extreme heat exposure.

To examine the relationship between extreme heat and suicide risk in prison settings, the researchers focused on six correctional facilities in Louisiana. The state has a dense prison population and experiences an average of 35 dangerous heat days per year. By 2050, it is projected to average nearly 115 danger days a year. The study analyzed data from almost 10,000 incarcerated men over a two-year period.

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The findings revealed a direct correlation between rising temperatures and suicide risk. When the heat index reached the 80s, suicide risk increased by 29%. When temperatures exceeded 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the risk spiked by 36%. While the study acknowledges that suicide-watch incidents are not clinical assessments per se, they are reliable indicators of serious distress and the need for immediate help.

The researchers hope that these findings will draw attention to the intersection of the climate crisis and mass incarceration. David Cloud states, “The climate crisis and mass incarceration are colliding, putting lives at risk.” Urgent action is necessary to address the humanitarian and public health crises within the nation’s prison system.

Kristie Ebi, a professor at the University of Washington Center for Health and the Global Environment, confirms that the link between heat exposure and adverse mental health outcomes is supported by a rich body of research. While prior studies did not specifically focus on incarcerated populations, they consistently demonstrate that prolonged exposure to heat increases the risk of adverse mental health effects.

In conclusion, the impact of extreme heat on prisoners’ mental health cannot be ignored. Without proper air conditioning or relief from the intense heat, prisoners are at a heightened risk of experiencing deteriorating mental health and suicidal thoughts. Immediate action is necessary to address this issue and ensure the well-being of incarcerated individuals.