Extreme Heat Strains Europe’s Crowded Prisons

Summer heat waves in France, Italy and Belgium have exposed worsening conditions in overcrowded and aging prisons. Reuters spoke with more than 40 prisoners, activists, prison directors, doctors and union representatives.

In France, prisoners have resorted to wet towels to cool themselves as temperatures climbed above 37C. Dominique Simonnot, France’s chief prison inspector, said her office received numerous complaints during the June heat wave. As of 1 July, French prisons were operating at an average of 141.3% of capacity.

In Italy, prison occupancy reached 139.7% by the end of July. The Justice Ministry allocated €800,000 ($930,000) for fans and refrigerators and pledged to create an additional 10,000 prison places by the end of the year.

Belgian prisons were operating at 121% of capacity in August, according to Reuters. Prison directors in Ghent and Merksplas warned that extreme heat was increasing tensions, conflicts among prisoners and confrontations with staff.

Authorities have responded with measures including additional drinking water and more frequent access to showers.

(Reuters, Lud)