Fight for the Dignity of Inmates Left to Suffer in Disaster Zones

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Sponsor: The Hunger Site

Incarcerated people are abandoned in disaster zones, forced to endure deadly floods, unbearable conditions, and then unpaid labor; our system must change to protect lives.

Fight for the Dignity of Inmates Left to Suffer in Disaster Zones

As climate-driven disasters intensify, thousands of incarcerated individuals are forced to endure floods, fires, hurricanes, and other crises—without a way out. In evacuation zones across the country, men and women remain trapped behind bars with minimal protections, left exposed to deadly hazards because their facilities lack disaster response plans that prioritize evacuation and safety. With no control over their environment, they suffer conditions that are unsafe and undignified.

Trapped in Floodwaters and Cut Off From Basic Needs

During recent hurricanes, countless incarcerated individuals have been stranded, cut off from basic needs like food, water, sanitation, and contact with loved ones. At North Carolina’s Mountain View Correctional Institution, over 550 men endured five days locked in flooded cells during Hurricane Helene. They lived with minimal food and water, forced to use bags as makeshift toilets, while officials delayed evacuation1. Families were left without information as they waited anxiously for news, fearing for the lives of their loved ones. As one inmate later recounted to his spouse, “We thought we were going to die there”2.

Dangerous Conditions in Storm “Hardened” Facilities

The decisions not to evacuate often come down to cost and logistics. But these logistical challenges come at a tremendous human cost. During Hurricane Milton in Florida, tens of thousands of incarcerated people in evacuation zones had no choice but to stay locked inside facilities “hardened” for storms—places where sandbags and higher floors are the only protection against violent winds and floodwaters3. Although these facilities often argue they are storm-resistant, inmates continue to report flooded cells, failing power, and overflowing toilets4.

A Hidden Toll on Incarcerated Lives

For many incarcerated people, the risk continues beyond the disaster. State governments, including Florida and South Carolina, often rely on incarcerated labor to clean up and rebuild after storms, offering little to no compensation. This forced labor, permitted under the Thirteenth Amendment, saves states millions of dollars while endangering inmates who work long hours in dangerous conditions without OSHA protections5.

Call For Safe Disaster Planning in Prisons

Natural disasters will continue to impact our communities, but incarcerated individuals must not be left behind. The federal government must ensure that every facility has a robust disaster response plan that protects human dignity and safety. When states prioritize incarcerated lives, they uphold the safety and humanity that defines a just society.

Together, we can call on the U.S. Department of Justice to mandate comprehensive disaster response plans for correctional facilities nationwide. Every person deserves a chance to survive disasters with dignity. Sign our petition now to demand real protections for incarcerated people.

More on this issue:

  1. Schuyler Mitchell, The Intercept (4 October 2024), "Hurricane-Struck North Carolina Prisoners Were Locked in Cells With Their Own Feces for Nearly a Week."
  2. Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg, The Appeal (3 October 2024), "Incarcerated People Are on the Front Line of Hurricane Helene’s Destruction."
  3. Li Zhou, Vox (10 October 2024), "These Floridians couldn’t flee Hurricane Milton. They’re incarcerated."
  4. Gloria Oladipo, The Guardian (9 October 2024), "Several Florida jails and prisons refuse to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Milton."
  5. Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix, Creative Loafing Tampa Bay (2 October 2024), "‘We’re utilizing our resources’: Florida Gov. DeSantis enlists prison labor to help with Hurricane Helene debris."

The Petition

To the Officials of the U.S. Department of Justice,

We, the undersigned, call for immediate action to protect the lives, health, and dignity of incarcerated individuals during natural disasters. Recent events, such as those at Mountain View Correctional Institution in North Carolina, have shown the devastating consequences of inadequate disaster response in correctional facilities. During Hurricane Helene, over 550 individuals were left trapped, enduring five days in flooded cells with severe shortages of food, water, and sanitation. For days, these men were isolated from the world, left to survive amid rising water and unbearable living conditions while their families were left in anguish, fearing the worst.

This is not an isolated incident but rather a part of a broader crisis where incarcerated individuals are subjected to unsafe and inhumane conditions during hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and other disasters. Facilities across the country regularly fail to evacuate inmates in zones designated as high-risk, arguing that relocation is logistically challenging. This neglect endangers lives and demonstrates a lack of accountability and respect for basic human rights.

In light of these conditions, we demand a federal mandate requiring all correctional facilities to adopt and implement comprehensive disaster response plans that prioritize:

1. Mandatory Evacuation Protocols: Every facility must evaluate its vulnerability to natural disasters and commit to evacuating inmates when the facility's safety can no longer be assured. Evacuation planning must include detailed transportation logistics, identified alternate locations, and clear protocols for securing inmate safety throughout the process.
2. Essential Resource Access: Facilities must guarantee access to clean water, food, and sanitation for all inmates during any emergency, with clear provisions for extended isolation. Such resources must be sufficient to sustain human dignity, comfort, and health.
3. Transparent Communication Channels: Inmates and their families have the right to information. Communication mechanisms must allow inmates to contact family members and advocate groups in the event of an emergency, reducing isolation and maintaining morale and peace of mind for both inmates and their families.
4. Oversight and Accountability: An independent body should regularly inspect correctional facilities to assess and certify compliance with disaster response protocols, with stringent penalties for facilities that fail to meet these standards.

Natural disasters will continue to test the resilience of our communities, and the incarcerated community must not be left behind. We cannot accept a system that values convenience over human lives. Our approach to justice must uphold the safety and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their circumstances.

By taking these necessary steps, the U.S. Department of Justice can ensure a more humane and secure future, setting a standard that values the lives and dignity of every citizen. Together, we can build a system that reflects the values of our society: one of safety, compassion, and justice for all.

Sincerely,

DEV MODE ACTIVE. BRAND: gg