A Delphi Consensus Study on International Best Practice to Promote Resilience, Sustainability, and Safeguard Prisons and Prison Communities Against the Consequences of Climate Change

Background: Prison systems are routinely excluded from emergency management plans globally, nationally, and locally, increasing vulnerability to climate disasters and posing a risk to health. A global e-Delphi consensus study aimed to define the international best practice to promote resilience, sustainability, and safeguard prisons and prison communities against the consequences of climate change. Research Design: A global e-Delphi consensus approach was used to define the critical components of an effective prison system response to climate change. A consensus was defined a priori as ≥70% participants scoring an outcome from 7 to 9 and <15% scoring it from 1 to 3. In 2024, 4200 International Corrections and Prisons Association members were invited to participate in two online surveys. Results: Of 142 participants, 102 expressing interest completed Round 1 (79% response rate), scoring 40 statements by importance, where 39 exceeded the set threshold of the consensus. Statements were adjusted based on the feedback for Round 2. Of 142 participants, 81 completed Round 2 (72% response rate), scoring 50 statements, with 49 exceeding the set threshold of the consensus. Conclusion and Implications for Practice: Participants agreed on the seven core components of an effective prison system response to climate change: climate principles; climate change and disaster preparedness, planning, and infrastructure protection; partnerships, capacity building, and resources; climate change and disaster response; health-related impacts of climate change; expanding sustainable development approaches; and evaluation, research, and innovation. Further action is required to encourage prison systems to incorporate these components into their policies, guidelines, and initiatives to optimize efforts to safeguard prisons and prison communities.