The bill includes provisions to set standards, increase oversight, and reduce harm in federal prisons:
– It authorizes funding for climate control system upgrades and temperature monitors in every cell within five years.
– It establishes health and safety standards for extreme heat and cold in work and housing.
– The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will research the impact of extreme temperatures on incarcerated individuals and develop protections for vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and pregnant individuals.
– It provides free cooling and warming supplies, like water and blankets, during dangerous temperature levels.
– It implements staff training for heat and cold emergencies and requires regular public reports on HVAC progress and temperature-related incidents.
Prisoners often lack access to air conditioning, putting vulnerable individuals at serious risk. Advocates have highlighted the dangers of extreme temperatures in prisons, emphasizing that no one should endure such conditions, particularly those in the care of the government.