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 cannot simply turn on the air conditioning or find a public warming center.
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.
Extreme temperatures increase health risks for inmates, including higher death rates, infirmary admissions, and transfers to external medical facilities. A study by an epidemiologist and colleagues found that these risks have been present for the past 20 years in Pennsylvania. Prison healthcare systems are already under strain due to chronic staffing shortages of corrections officers, nurses, and physicians, with some facilities reporting nearly 40% vacancy rates for medical staff. Inmates in Pennsylvania must pay a $5 copay for non-emergency medical visits, which is significant given their low wages of 23 to 50 cents per hour. Older inmates and those with chronic conditions, such as heart disease, face greater risks, as the average age of prison admissions has risen from 31 in 2000 to 38 in 2023.
The study found that women in Pennsylvania prisons experienced greater increases in infirmary visits and transfers to external medical facilities on extremely hot days compared to men. This was unexpected because prior research in the general population did not show women as more vulnerable to heat. However, incarcerated women may experience accelerated aging, meaning their biological age is older than their chronological age due to stress before and during incarceration. This can lead to early menopause, cancer, and chronic diseases. Symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, common in menopause, become dangerous during extreme heat, especially when cooling, hydration, and hormone therapy are limited or unavailable.
Extreme heat and cold worsen the strain on Pennsylvania’s prison system, which is already struggling with healthcare delivery and staffing shortages. The state’s prison population is aging, with higher medical needs and costs. For example, inmates over 50 require $3,357 per person per year for medications, which is 53% more than younger inmates. Researchers suggest that climate resilience planning must include improvements in prison conditions, healthcare systems, and policies to reduce the incarceration of older adults. The goal is to address the growing challenges posed by extreme temperatures while ensuring the health and safety of inmates.
