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Claudine Clark

Heatwave of Inhumanity: Florida’s Death Row Crisis

In the scorching summer months, Florida Death Row has long been known for its blistering temperatures. However, this year is poised to shatter previous records, plunging the conditions into a state of absolute alarm. Despite the imminent danger, the Florida Department of Corrections appears disturbingly indifferent to the escalating heatwave gripping the incarcerated and the dedicated staff. With each passing day, the oppressive heat threatens the already fragile well-being of those condemned to this merciless environment, revealing a callous disregard for human life within the very institution tasked with its custodial care.

While the Florida Department of Health provides clear guidelines to mitigate the risks of heat-related illnesses, such directives, unfortunately, remain utterly impractical for the inmates residing in Florida’s Death Row. Instructions such as seeking refuge in air-conditioned environments like shopping malls or public libraries are impossible for those confined within the oppressive confines of the correctional facility. The inability to protect their skin with sunscreen further exacerbates the already dire situation. As a result, the incarcerated population on Death Row faces an imminent threat of heatstroke and heat exhaustion. With approximately 75% of the death row inmates being over the age of 50, Death Row becomes an insufferably perilous zone during the sweltering summer months, where the risk of fatalities looms ominously.

The inhumane conditions of confinement in the Death Row have given rise to a significant number of inmates suffering from chronic medical conditions. It is a stark reality that the substandard quality of food, prolonged periods of stress, and lack of exercise within the correctional facility contribute to the deterioration of their overall health. Many inmates, already burdened by their death sentences, find themselves further entangled in a vicious cycle of declining well-being. Conditions that should promote rehabilitation and humane treatment instead breed an environment where chronic illnesses flourish, exacerbating their already vulnerable state. The failure to address these underlying factors not only perpetuates the suffering of those condemned but also underscores the system’s disregard for basic human rights and dignity.

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The provision of adequate protection against extreme heat is not a luxury but a fundamental human right, a right that’s even granted to animals! In this context, the glaring absence of such measures in correctional facilities amounts to a clear and flagrant violation of the Eighth Amendment. It is worth noting that air conditioning has become nearly ubiquitous in the southern states, with 95% of homes having access to it, including 90% of households earning less than $20,000 per year. However, certain Departments of Corrections, such as those in Florida and Texas, consistently refuse to install air conditioning in their prisons. Excuses range from alleged lack of funding and aging infrastructure to outright denial, with responses such as “We haven’t received any complaints” or “It’s not that hot.” Such dismissive justifications disregard the well-documented risks and hardships faced by inmates, revealing a concerning disregard for their basic welfare and a failure to recognize their constitutional rights.

When examining certain states, it becomes evident that compassion and simple solutions can coexist. The Washington State Department of Corrections serves as a prime example, implementing straightforward measures to address high temperatures. They provide ice water daily for everyone, establish cooling stations, and make sunscreen available to inmates seeking access to recreation. These uncomplicated solutions demonstrate that it is indeed feasible to prioritize the well-being of incarcerated individuals during extreme heat conditions. The question then arises: what impedes other departments of corrections from implementing similar measures if not a lack of compassion? It is crucial to recognize that the absence of such initiatives reflects a systemic failure to prioritize the basic human needs and rights of those within the criminal justice system. By neglecting to adopt these simple and humane practices, these departments perpetuate a culture of indifference and disregard for the well-being of the individuals under their care.

This situation is particularly evident in the case of the Florida Department of Corrections (FDOC), which not only lacks compassion towards death row inmates by failing to implement sustainable and viable solutions to reduce temperatures and mitigate the dangers of extreme heat for their health and lives but goes even further by retaliating against those who dare to raise their voices in defense of their cause. Instead of listening to the legitimate concerns of the inmates and their advocates, the FDOC chooses to suppress any form of protest and silence the voices seeking to assert the fundamental rights of these vulnerable individuals. This repressive attitude only reinforces feelings of despair and abandonment among the inmates, further highlighting the lack of compassion and consideration from the institutions responsible for their well-being. It is crucial that concrete measures are taken to address this alarming situation and ensure the safety and dignity of all incarcerated individuals, regardless of their legal status.

Recently, a campaign called #CoolTheRow has emerged, bringing together activists and organizations in an effort to secure measures that lower temperatures in Florida’s death row and maintain a humane environment for individuals. However, the response from the FDOC has been a witch hunt, extinguishing any flicker of compassion within its staff. Some National Guards, recognizing the unbearable suffering of both themselves and the inmates, took small steps to alleviate the heat. In response to the outpouring of solidarity from the outside world towards the detainees and staff enduring these unbearable temperatures, the FDOC instructed the National Guard to cease implementing these slight cooling measures in the wings. They even disrupted the functioning of the recent dayroom program to ensure that the inmates would not experience any relief from the scorching heat. It is crucial to emphasize that such actions are cruel and devoid of penological justification. This retaliation only serves to further disregard the basic human rights and dignity of those on death row, exacerbating an already dire situation.

In the face of such inhumanity and relentlessness, it is imperative to stand together and unite in defense of a fundamental principle: the protection of human rights. This situation affects not only the suffering inmates but also the staff involved. Regardless of which side of the prison walls you find yourself on, such cruelty cannot be accepted. As the renowned quote by Elie Wiesel reminds us, “We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” The current circumstances bear a striking resemblance to pure and simple torture, and it is our collective responsibility to refuse to remain silent and take action against this injustice.

It is important to note that the families of inmates spend over $3 billion each year within the correctional system, entitling them to demand at least humane conditions of detention for their loved ones. The dedicated personnel working in this complicated and essential profession also have the right to work in humane conditions.

In conclusion, it is imperative that we rise up powerfully against hatred and disdain towards our fellow human beings. Regardless of our past or mistakes, we remain human, and we must believe in the potential for people to change. No human being deserves to be subjected to torture. Therefore, I urge you, as you read these words, to embrace compassion and demonstrate humanity. Join the #CoolTheRow campaign, mobilized alongside activists and organizations fighting to lower the unbearable temperatures in Florida’s death row. Together, we can make a difference by advocating for the fundamental rights of every individual, advocating for dignity, and demanding a fairer prison system. Let us not remain silent in the face of this injustice. Let us act now to create a future where compassion triumphs over cruelty, and where human dignity is preserved for all, without exception. 

About the Author
Claudine Clark is president/founder of the French Coalition Against the Death Penalty. An abolitionist, paralegal and human rights consultant, her passion stems from her origins as the granddaughter of Warsaw ghetto survivors. She defends human values of forgiveness and tolerance through numerous actions.