Several Solano state prison inmates allegedly suffered heat strokes during a 3-day power outage, which ended July 17.
The Solano state prison is in Vacaville, California, where temperatures hit over 90 degrees for most of the week. Temperatures inside the facility could not be gauged. The facility is one of the most overcrowded prisons in California, with 3,900 people locked up there, 53% over the intended capacity.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which oversees conditions at state prisons, notes that it provides no air conditioning but instead uses evaporative coolers and fans. The CDCR lists a series of measures that must be undertaken when extreme heat occurs: few were deployed during the power outage, according to inmates.
An inmate who goes by the nickname Johnny told Ethnic Media Services that several people in his dormitory had suffered heat strokes. He could not confirm how many went to the prison’s infirmary for treatment. Johnny said the large dormitory fans were off due to lack of power. Inmates who had purchased personal fans from the commissary also could not use them.
Inadequate Food
Only tap water from the sink was available, said Johnny, adding no ice, nor Gatorade to replace electrolytes lost to sweat, was provided. Apple juice was provided at breakfast.
Other meals consisted largely of watermelon and bread, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. One night, the inmates got beans with their watermelon and bread. Typically, inmates receive a hot meal for breakfast and dinner, and a bag lunch.
“Everyone has a stash of snacks from the commissary, so that seems to be filling in the gaps,” said Johnny, who spoke to EMS during the power outage.
Inmates also did not get extra yard time in the evenings, when it was a bit cooler, according to Johnson. The CDCR recommends conducting yard at night in order to limit daytime exposure to extreme heat.
CDCR
A spokesman for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation told EMS all public information about the outage was available on the department’s website. However, there was no information about the outage listed on the site.
The spokesman would not confirm whether there had been heat strokes at the Solano state prison or how many inmates were treated at the infirmary.
‘Security Not Compromised’
The CDCR did release information about the outage on its Facebook page July 14, saying it was working to repair the outage with PG&E crews onsite.
“The health and safety of all individuals living and working within our institution are our top priority. This outage does not compromise security at SOL, and we are working to promptly address the needs of our population.”
“SOL is operating on emergency generator power and the prison is ensuring that appropriate access to medical and mental health care is maintained. Running water and ice are available to help manage heat-related concerns and cooling fans are operating in most areas,” read the statement.
Medical Supplies in Jeopardy
Many respondents with family members inside the facility disputed the CDCR’s statement. Rosalind Orona, wrote: “My husband is currently housed here. He called me a few hours ago, saying no cold water or ice is being given out, and there is no running water in his cell so he cannot flush the toilet. He is laying on his concrete floor to stay cool because the is no air conditioning or power for their fans.”
Others said their loved ones were not able to get their critical medical supplies, such as insulin.
On July 16, the CDCR announced the power was back on, but many repliers said it had come on for 5 minutes before cutting out again. One respondent alleged a small riot had broken out when several prisoners refused to return to their cells after yard break.
PG&E confirmed July 17 that power had been restored.
Prison Death
Earlier this month, Adrienne Boulware, imprisoned at the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla, reportedly died of extreme heat as temperatures soared above 110 degrees, according to Word In Black newspaper. Trancita Ponce, who is also incarcerated at Chowchilla, said in a statement published by the paper: “There is hot air blowing inside of our rooms, I have a huge migraine and I feel sick and other girls are throwing up.”
Ponce said that temperatures inside the facility can reach as high as 97 degrees.
Last year, California scrapped plans to enact heat protections for indoor workers in the state after it was suggested that it would cost the state billions of dollars to retrofit prison buildings with adequate cooling, reported Word in Black.
