Mass incarceration as a climate justice issue

The climate crisis and mass incarceration are deeply intertwined. While climate change has intensified worldwide, incarcerated populations are disproportionately at risk of experiencing poor health related to climate change through multiple hazards including extreme heat, hurricanes, and wildfires. We detail how incarcerated individuals are at a heightened risk of experiencing multiple climate-related events, how climate change worsens the health of incarcerated individuals, and how carceral infrastructure and policies worsen these impacts. We then propose next steps including (1) further research to assess the full scope of climate-related health risks, (2) strong collaborations between researchers, policymakers, and community advocates, and (3) implementation of evidence-based policies that prioritize the well-being of incarcerated populations that span climate mitigation, climate adaptation, and decarceration measures.