Miami, FL — Sweltering heat at a Florida men’s state prison has sparked legal action as incarcerated individuals and their advocates decry inhumane conditions exacerbated by extreme temperatures. Filed by The Florida Justice Institute in Miami federal court, the lawsuit targets the Miami-Dade Correctional Institute, an older prison that lacks air conditioning in its residential areas.
According to the legal complaint, temperatures inside the prison have reached critical levels, causing severe discomfort and health issues among inmates. Reports from within the facility describe cases of heat rash, fainting spells, and at least four deaths potentially linked to the oppressive heat.
Andrew Udelsman, the attorney representing the incarcerated individuals, emphasized the severity of the conditions. “These individuals are subjected to unbearable heat, which is a neglect of their basic human rights,” Udelsman stated. “This lawsuit seeks to ensure that the facility maintains a maximum temperature of 88 degrees to protect the health of its residents.”
On July 3, 2023, amid a dangerous heat wave in Miami where the heat index reached 92 degrees outdoors, conditions inside the unventilated, concrete structure were even more severe. One older prisoner, identified in the lawsuit as C.G., tragically passed away under these conditions, further highlighting the urgent need for intervention.
The lawsuit outlines issues with inadequate ventilation and high-risk conditions in what inmates call the “hell dorm,” where metal covers replace windows, severely restricting airflow. One resident, an 81-year-old man, reportedly screamed for help before being found deceased in his excessively hot cell.
The limited means of cooling available to prisoners, such as inadequate fan setups and occasional distribution of ice cups, fail to provide sufficient relief, as described in the lawsuit. Moreover, the infrequent access to air-conditioned spaces like libraries and infirmaries is far from a solution to the daily suffering faced by many incarcerated individuals.
The suit draws attention to a systemic issue within the Florida Department of Corrections, noted for its lack of action on numerous grievances filed by prisoners concerning broken ventilation systems as far back as 2019. In response to these complaints, prison authorities have consistently claimed that the ventilation systems are functioning properly.
This is not the first instance of prisoners in Florida seeking relief from extreme heat. A similar lawsuit was filed in 2000 by death row inmates in Raiford, which ultimately did not lead to the desired changes in prison conditions. However, advocates like Udelsman are hopeful, drawing parallels to successful litigation in Texas, where legal pressure led to the implementation of temperature controls to alleviate heat-related suffering.
During a Florida Senate appropriations meeting in October 2023, concerns about the oppressive conditions in non-air-conditioned dorms were raised. State Senator Jennifer Bradley discussed the financial and humane implications of neglecting this issue, suggesting proactive measures would be less costly than defending against lawsuits.
Statewide, approximately 75% of Florida’s prisons lack air conditioning, a troubling statistic considering the frequent high heat indexes characteristic of Florida’s climate. This lawsuit aims to signify a turning point in acknowledging and addressing the dire conditions under which many incarcerated individuals live.