Climate-Change Disaster Planning Is Falling Woefully Short in One Huge Area

The U.S. accounts for nearly 25 percent of its detainees, of which people of color are vastly overrepresented.

Prisons and jails are often located in areas of environmental degradation and highly susceptible to heat, floods, and wildfires.

There are relatively few laws that focus on incarcerated individuals during emergencies.

Legislation like the bipartisan Correctional Facility Disaster Preparedness Act should be passed.

Independent oversight boards should also be implemented to provide guidelines on best practices.

More funding should be allocated to improve conditions behind bars when evacuation is not possible or necessary, such as providing air conditioning.

Similar measures should be taken at the state and local levels.