“More than 88,000 people in Texas prisons currently live without air conditioning. That means two-thirds of the state’s incarcerated population are enduring life-threatening heat in facilities that routinely register indoor temperatures above 90 degrees.” statesman.com/opinion/column…

Prisons across the U.S. are in crisis and it affects everyone, from corrections professionals to incarcerated people to our communities. Together, we can create safer prisons and stronger communities. Join us and subscribe to our newsletter today: saferprisonssafercommunities.org

40 lawmakers have sent a letter to Federal Bureau of Prisons Director William Marshall, pressing for solutions relating to the extreme heat impacting incarcerated people and staff in prison facilities. hoodline.com/2025/08/house-…

Despite temperatures reaching 100 degrees, prisons in Kentucky are often operating with outdated AC systems. Brian Dawe of One Voice United shares how extreme heat increases risks of violence and undermines safety, creating “a miserable set of conditions.” wuky.org/wuky-news/2025…

“The places that are performing the best, are the places that are being deliberate about focusing on health.” - John Wetzel, Chief Executive Officer of Phronema Justice Strategies Prioritizing the health of those who live and work in prisons can have a huge positive impact.

As prison leaders in Oklahoma look for ways to take advantage of AI technology, there are concerns that it could divert focus away from long-standing issues like understaffing. oklahomawatch.org/2025/08/26/as-…

“You simply can't operate a safe facility with that many staff positions left vacant.” - Michele Deitch, director of the Prison and Jail Innovation Lab at UT Austin to Houston Chronicle houstonchronicle.com/news/investiga…

According to advocates, incarcerated people in Maryland are sometimes spending at least 23 hours a day in lockdowns. The state attributes this to a shortage of corrections professionals and has led to “constant and indefinite lockdowns”. bit.ly/3JVj95H

The life expectancy for corrections professionals is 16 years shorter than the general public. This Suicide Prevention Month, Jon Zumkehr, AFGE Local 4070 (Thomson Federal Prison) president urges lawmakers to pass the Blake Schwarz Suicide Prevention Act. corrections1.com/federal-prison…

In just two years, Vermont’s prison population has risen by almost 300, from 1,366 in September 2023 to more than 1,650 today. At the same time, Vermont’s prisons are experiencing persistent staffing shortages. bit.ly/4pNBT7V

Staffing in New York prisons is down nearly 32% – an issue that can be partly attributed to poor working conditions, overcrowding, and chronic understaffing. bit.ly/4nV5Dhe

A staffing crisis has forced Clarion County in Pennsylvania to transfer 23 incarcerated people to a nearby jail, currently costing the county an extra $75 per day, per person. Understaffing isn’t just unsafe – it’s expensive. bit.ly/4nwyg4I

VT correctional facilities are currently facing chronic understaffing, forcing many officers to work long hours. This doesn’t just affect corrections professionals – understaffing impacts incarcerated people by limiting recreation time and visiting hours. tinyurl.com/mwse27nr

Shutdowns impact public safety. "When you pile on the stress of not knowing how you’ll pay bills, it’s a recipe for burnout, mental health crises, and mistakes that put everyone – staff and [incarcerated people] – in danger.” - Jon Zumkehr, AFGE Local 4070 (Thomson Federal Prison) bit.ly/48IQStC

“Correctional officers are more likely to die by suicide than police officers, but we’re largely left out of mental health initiatives for first responders [...] Our time is now to address this crisis.” - Jon Zumkehr, AFGE Local 4070 (Thomson Federal Prison) president bit.ly/4pKrsC5

West Virginia continues to face staffing shortages in its crowded jails and prisons. Everyone – correctional officers, incarcerated people, and communities – pays the price for understaffed and overcrowded prisons. bit.ly/46mlz6m

New York prisons are increasingly understaffed six months after a statewide strike by corrections professionals. When prisons are understaffed, safety is compromised for incarcerated people, staff, and communities alike. bit.ly/42bELkR

Hear from correctional professionals themselves in a new documentary that highlights the toll of trauma on their mental health. The film explores the human cost for those tasked with maintaining safety in a system that can be dehumanizing for everyone. bit.ly/4nwACR6