Wildfires Impact Northern California Prison: Inmates Cope with Smoke and Power Outage
For the second consecutive week, Pelican Bay State Prison in Northern California has been operating on generator power due to wildfires that knocked out electricity within a five-mile radius of the facility. Inmates at the prison are grappling with the effects of lingering wildfire smoke, causing unhealthy air quality that led to the distribution of masks to help them cope.
The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for the state explained that the restoration of power depends on crews successfully containing the regional wildfires. The situation has left the prison on generator power, and inmates are struggling with poor air quality caused by the nearby fires.
Dozens of lightning-sparked blazes have been raging near Oregon for weeks. Among them, the Smith River Complex is the largest, scorching over 115 square miles of forest. The flames came dangerously close to Pelican Bay State Prison last week, but firefighting efforts protected the communities surrounding the maximum-security lockup.
Dev Khalsa, a spokesperson at the fire’s command center, reported that while the flames came within about 5 miles of the prison, they were successfully kept at bay, safeguarding the facility that houses approximately 1,600 inmates in Del Norte County.
Terri Thompson Jackson, whose husband is incarcerated at Pelican Bay, shared her concerns about the situation. The heavy smoke infiltrated the prison’s housing, causing discomfort and health issues for inmates. Jeffrey Jackson, her husband, experienced coughing during their recent phone call due to the poor air quality caused by the wildfires.
The power outage affected many inmates, leaving them confined to smoky cells with limited ventilation. The situation prompted worries among loved ones, as a Facebook group dedicated to Pelican Bay inmates’ families expressed concerns about safety and the possibility of evacuation.
Despite the proximity of the flames, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation clarified that the prison itself was not in immediate danger. However, power restoration hinges on the containment of the fires.
Efforts to manage the situation included expanding generator power, resuming hot meal services, and ensuring basic amenities such as showers for inmates. Fans, air purifiers, and masks were provided to improve conditions. The agency emphasized its collaboration with health departments and prison medical staff, while also working with vendors to ensure emergency supplies are readily available statewide.
During emergencies like wildfires, corrections officials maintain close communication with law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency response agencies. The safety and evacuation plans for institutions housing vulnerable populations, like prisons, are executed in coordination with state assistance.
Challenges arise in the evacuation of inmates during emergencies due to logistics and safety concerns. Chesa Boudin, Executive Director of the Criminal Law & Justice Center at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, highlighted the difficulties faced by incarcerated individuals, particularly those in solitary confinement, during extreme weather events.
Climate-related impacts have been observed globally on jails and prisons, including the growing severity of fire-related hazards. Climate change exacerbates the vulnerability of correctional facilities, as evidenced by California’s overcrowded prisons located in remote areas with aging infrastructure.
In response, California corrections officials implemented a Heat Illness Prevention Plan for all prisons in 2022, designed to address extreme temperatures and climate hazards. The plan includes provisions for increased access to water, ice, cooling units, and shelters to ensure the safety and well-being of inmates.
The circumstances surrounding Pelican Bay State Prison underscore the challenges posed by climate change and extreme weather events for correctional facilities, necessitating comprehensive strategies to protect the lives and health of incarcerated individuals.