Prisons Need Ice in Summer Heat #StopTheHeat
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin, Department of Corrections Director Joe Allbaugh, Oklahoma legislature
The indoor heat index in Oklahoma prisons often hovers around the 90s and 100s in the summer because most prison units don’t have air conditioning, leaving those inside susceptible to heat stroke and complications related to existing medical conditions.
We’re hearing reports from families that many of those inside don’t even have reliable access to the DOC's usual substandard cooling method-- ice. Families have reported that many units have broken ice machines, no ice machines, or not enough ice machines to keep up with the needs of those inside.
These conditions are extremely dangerous and amount to cruel and unusual punishment. Tell Governor Mary Fallin, Department of Corrections Director Joe Allbaugh, and the Oklahoma legislature that they must act now to provide sufficient working ice machines to sustain the needs of the prison population.
This petition is sponsored by Oklahoma CURE and the #StopTheHeat in Prisons Campaign.
Sponsored by
To:
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin, Department of Corrections Director Joe Allbaugh, Oklahoma legislature
From:
[Your Name]
Families are reporting that many prison units have broken ice machines, no ice machines, or not enough ice machines to keep up with the needs of those inside.
Families have reported:
James Crabtree: “Units one, two, and three have only one ice machine and cannot keep up with the demand. Unit four has one ice machine on each side, as does unit five, but they don't all work. The kitchen has two big ice machines, and they are having trouble keeping up.”
Mack Alford: “No working ice machines, black mold under ice machines.”
Jackie Brannon: “No working ice machines.”
Dick Conner: “My brother is in a unit with no air conditioning and the ice machine does not work. He has severe COPD and is suffering.”
These are just a small sampling of the stories we have heard from families, and these conditions are unacceptable.
With heat indexes in the 90s and 100s and no air conditioning in most units, these conditions are dangerous, leaving those inside susceptible to heat stroke and complications related to existing medical conditions. Please act now to provide sufficient working ice machines to sustain the needs of the prison population.