Europe’s latest heatwave has intensified already difficult conditions inside prisons across France, Italy and Belgium. Prisoners, doctors, prison officials, trade unions and rights groups warn that ageing infrastructure and chronic overcrowding are leaving inmates increasingly vulnerable to extreme temperatures.
French prisons reach 141% capacity
In France, where temperatures exceeded 37°C, prisoners described suffocating conditions in ageing facilities with no air conditioning and overcrowded cells.
Dominique Simonnot, France’s Chief Inspector of Prisons, said her office received so many complaints during the June heatwave that additional staff had to be recruited to handle them.
At Limoges prison, a prisoner reportedly lost consciousness because of the heat and injured his head, although the circumstances surrounding the incident are disputed.
The French Ministry of Justice said measures had been introduced to provide prisoners with greater access to drinking water, showers and sunscreen. A ministry spokesperson said tackling overcrowding was essential to reducing the impact of extreme temperatures.
Official figures showed that French prisons were operating at 141.3% capacity on 1 July.
Rights groups criticise conditions in Italy
Italy’s prisons are operating at 139.7% capacity, with prisoner rights organisations reporting inhumane conditions following coordinated visits to 34 correctional facilities.
The groups highlighted a shortage of refrigerators and fans, as well as the fact that many prisoners spend up to 20 hours a day inside their cells.
The Italian government has allocated €800,000 for the purchase of fans and refrigerators and has pledged to create another 10,000 prison places by the end of the year.
The Italian Parliament has also approved legislation allowing thousands of prisoners with drug or alcohol dependencies to serve their sentences at home while participating in rehabilitation programmes.
Heat increases tensions in Belgian prisons
Belgian prisons are operating at 121% capacity. The directors of prisons in Ghent and Merksplas said heatwaves were increasing tensions and contributing to violent incidents involving prisoners and staff.
Belgian Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden announced that inmates would be given greater access to water and showers. Heat-protection measures will remain in place until September.
Prison officials said the underlying problems remain ageing infrastructure, inadequate insulation and poor ventilation. They stressed that the loss of liberty should not mean exposing prisoners to inhumane living conditions.
Source: CNA/Reuters.
