Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) has introduced the Environmental Health in Prisons Act, a groundbreaking bill designed to protect prison workers and inmates from environmental hazards.
This legislation mandates the Federal Bureau of Prisons to establish an independent advisory board to research and address environmental threats within correctional facilities.
Key Provisions of the Bill
The advisory board would focus on analyzing air and water quality, mold presence, contagious diseases, and extreme temperatures.
Based on their findings, the board would recommend policies to mitigate these hazards and ensure safer living and working conditions within prisons.
Co-sponsored by Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA), the bill aims to “improve the environmental health outcomes” for incarcerated individuals.
A 2017 study by Earth Island Journal revealed that many prisons are situated near Superfund sites, which are designated to address hazardous waste, further exacerbating environmental risks.
Pressley’s Commitment to Dignity and Health
Rep. Pressley stressed the importance of respecting the dignity and humanity of incarcerated individuals.
“People who are incarcerated are no less deserving of having their dignity and humanity respected — and that includes clean air, water, and living environments,” Pressley stated. “As we work to dismantle our shameful mass incarceration crisis, our bill would affirm the fundamental right to a safe and healthy environment for every person behind the wall.”
Impact of Poor Environmental Conditions
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the dire conditions within prisons, where inadequate ventilation contributed to higher infection rates.
Research from the Prison Policy Initiative found that many states, particularly in the South and Midwest, lack sufficient air conditioning in prisons. Additionally, nearly half of U.S. prisons are near contaminated water sources, exposing inmates to harmful “forever chemicals” with long-term health implications.
Markey’s Support and Future Steps
Sen. Markey underscored the bill’s necessity, stating:
“As we work to reduce the number of people behind bars, we must also ensure that those currently incarcerated have access to clean air, water, and living environments, are treated with dignity and respect, and can live in conditions that aren’t dangerous and dehumanizing.”
If passed, the legislation would require agencies such as the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Marshals Service, and Bureau of Indian Affairs to disclose any environmental hazard exposures.
It would also establish a grant program for state, local, and tribal facilities to collect data on conditions within prisons and jails.
Support from Prison Rights Advocates
Prison rights advocates have praised the bill. William Ragland, an inmate leading the African American Coalition Committee at MCI-Norfolk, highlighted the racial disparities in prison conditions.
“Incarcerated people get the bottom of the barrel when it comes to food, healthcare, and environmental protection. But these inequities aren’t just hurting people behind bars,” Ragland noted. “Toxic prison environments are just a continuation of the pollution that affects many Black communities in Massachusetts and across the country.”
