Converging crises in the carceral environment: how the COVID-19 pandemic challenged excessive heat policies and practices in Texas prisons

Purpose This study analyzed qualitative survey responses from people incarcerated in Texas prisons about their experiences with excessive heat-related policies and practices in 2020. The focus of the study is to understand how policies and practices related to the COVID-19 pandemic impacted incarcerated persons' experiences with accessing resources intended to mitigate the risk of heat illness associated with excessive or extreme heat exposure. Design/methodology/approach The data included surveys from 152 persons incarcerated in Texas prisons in 2020. The analysis focused on qualitative responses to questions about their experiences with excessive heat-related policies and practices regarding access to certain resources (water, ice, showers, air-conditioned respite areas and commissary items). Participant's descriptions of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on those experiences were analyzed. Findings Pandemic-related policies and practices such as lockdowns, quarantines and even social distancing requirements severely restricted incarcerated persons' access to resources. Incarcerated people described resenting correctional officers for restricting their ability to protect themselves as well as for not following policies or practices in place to get resources to incarcerated people in the midst of converging disasters (extreme and excessive heat exposure and the COVID-19 pandemic). Originality/value Policies and practices related to the management of excessive and extreme heat exposure in the prison environment were incompatible with those used to mitigate the risk of contracting COVID-19. Interventions such as air-conditioning and improved ventilation, could work to mitigate both the risk of heat-related illness and COVID-19.