Pennsylvania’s aging prisons weren’t built for today’s extreme weather – leaving women and seniors especially at risk of illness and death
People in prison can't just switch on the air conditioning when it starts to swelter. Mark Makela/Getty Images When outdoor temperatures spike to 103 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius), or drop to -9 F (-23 C), like they did across Pennsylvania last year, people locked up in jails and prisons…
Résumé
Prisons face extreme weather
Pennsylvania’s prisons struggle to cope with extreme temperatures because they lack adequate heating and cooling systems.
In 2023, outdoor temperatures reached 103°F (39°C) in summer and -9°F (-23°C) in winter.
Inmates cannot control indoor temperatures, making conditions dangerous.
For example, Amy McBride, a 60-year-old inmate at MCI Muncy, wears multiple layers of clothing in winter to stay warm.
Most of Pennsylvania’s prisons were built in the 1990s or earlier, when extreme weather was less common, and many lack full air conditioning.
Facilities like Cambridge Springs, Dallas, and Laurel Highlands have partial cooling, often only in medical areas.
This issue is not unique to Pennsylvania, but the state’s large prison population—nearly 40,000 people—makes it a significant concern.
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