European heatwaves worsen prison overcrowding crisis

Record-breaking heatwaves across European Union — Europe this summer have exacerbated severe overcrowding and ageing infrastructure in prisons in France, Italy, and Belgium, creating dangerous living conditions for inmates. Reuters spoke to over 40 inmates, officials, and activists who described a humanitarian crisis. In France, prisons operate at 141.3% occupancy, with inmates in small, non-air-conditioned cells; one inmate reportedly lost consciousness and suffered a head injury. Italy's prisons are at 139.7% capacity, prompting activists to stage visits to 34 prisons and the government to allocate €800,000 for fans and refrigerators, pledge 10,000 new spaces, and pass a law allowing some addicts to serve sentences at home. Belgium's prisons are at 121% capacity, with directors reporting increased tensions and violence due to heat. Governments have introduced temporary measures like extra showers and water, but officials and rights groups argue these do not address structural deficiencies. The crisis highlights the impact of climate change on public infrastructure and raises legal and humanitarian concerns.