Maryland Prisons Struggle with Heat Relief: Advocates Highlight Inadequate Measures

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Written By Blue & Gold NLR Team

 

 

After a day of record-breaking heat in Maryland, Michele Kennedy Kouadio received a distressing call from her son, who is serving time at Eastern Correctional Institute. He told her that someone had collapsed from the heat in their cell.

Kouadio was shocked to learn that Maryland’s state prisons lack central air conditioning, a situation common in many states, even those with extreme temperatures. She feels that the conditions are inhumane, comparing them to a situation where a dog is left in a hot car.

Over the past two years, Kouadio has become an advocate for prison reform, testifying before Congress and working with the Maryland Alliance for Justice Reform. She is pushing for immediate action, such as providing portable air conditioning units for cells, while also advocating for long-term legislative changes.

The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) says they provide ice, cold water, fans, and monitor temperatures during extreme heat. Inmates needing relief are taken to cooler areas, like medical facilities.

However, Brianna Ciampo, whose fiancé is at Dorsey Run Correctional Facility, reports difficulties in accessing relief during extreme heat. Joshua Hatch, a former inmate turned advocate, argues that the current measures are inadequate and that air conditioning should be considered a basic right, citing the 8th Amendment’s protection against cruel and unusual punishment. He notes that heat can exacerbate violence and health issues, especially for inmates on medication.

Lawmakers have been slow to respond, with House Minority Leader Jason Buckel questioning the priority of air conditioning in prisons amidst budget constraints. The Governor’s office directed inquiries to DPSCS, which reiterated their commitment to heat mitigation and reported no recent heat-related illnesses.

A new bill has established an Office of the Correctional Ombudsman for oversight of the prison system, though its start date is uncertain.

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