As the country experiences yet another heatwave in these dire times of climate change (contributed to in no small part by the military industrial complex), prisoners are left in dangerous sweltering conditions without sufficient water, fresh air or basic provisions to manage the heat. As usual, this is not being managed in accordance with the prisons own guidelines and standards.
In the HMPPS Heatwave Guidance for Prisons (2023) it states that prisons should have ‘heatwave plans in place, identify vulnerable prisoners, ensure access to drinking water, improve ventilation, reduce heat exposure, and monitor those at greatest risk. Vulnerable groups include older people, those with heart, kidney or respiratory disease, people with mental illness, and those taking medications that affect temperature regulation.’
In HMP Foston Hall the heatwave guidance has not been acknowledged at all by management, with just a few fans per wing being provided. The prisoners are locked inside windowless buildings in suffocating 40 degree heat for 18 hours a day.
HMP Bronzefield took several days to ensure prisoners had a fan in their cell; and even then, without ventilation the fan was ineffective, just pushing the hot air around.
The dangers of these inhumane conditions are clear, just as prison policy states- ‘heat is important because high temperatures can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke, and can worsen existing health conditions’ (HMPPS, 2023).
And yet, they have continued to refuse to provide the adequate care for those within prison, further adding to the harsh conditions that they face. Once again, they are happy to allow prisoners to suffer and even die as a result.
This is demonstrated by the trágic death of David Wise at HMP Wandsworth. An inquest found he died from hyperthermia, with high ambient temperatures identified as a contributing factor, and investigators noted that excessive heat on the prison wing was a known issue (Evening Standard, 2025).
Whilst we on the outside are free to take a cold shower, eat an ice cream, or simply go to the park to find some respite from the heat, we must remember that prisoners do not have that luxury, and continue to fight for their basic rights and humane conditions to be upheld.