Europe’s overcrowded prison system is facing growing humanitarian concerns as prolonged heatwaves expose the harsh conditions inside ageing correctional facilities, with inmates and rights groups warning that rising temperatures are making already difficult environments increasingly unbearable.
Across several European countries, record-breaking summer heat has intensified pressure on prisons struggling with overcrowding, limited ventilation and outdated infrastructure. Critics say the combination of extreme temperatures and congested facilities is creating serious risks for the health and safety of inmates and prison staff.
In France, where temperatures recently surpassed 37 degrees Celsius, prisoners in some facilities reported severe discomfort as poorly ventilated cells trapped heat for long periods. At Orléans-Saran prison, inmates described spending much of the day trying to conserve energy and find ways to cool their surroundings in buildings not designed to withstand prolonged periods of extreme heat.
France’s chief prison inspector, Dominique Simonnot, said her office recorded an unprecedented increase in complaints from prisoners during the June heatwave, reflecting growing concerns over conditions in overcrowded facilities.
She warned that older prisons without adequate ventilation or cooling systems were particularly vulnerable, with some inmates forced to share cells built for fewer occupants, making heat exposure more severe.
Health incidents linked to the extreme temperatures have also raised alarm. In Limoges, a prisoner reportedly suffered a collapse and sustained injuries during a period of intense heat, although the exact circumstances remain under review.
French authorities have introduced measures aimed at reducing the impact of heatwaves, including increased access to showers and drinking water, additional supplies such as sunscreen, and allowing inmates to obtain electric fans. However, officials acknowledge that long-term solutions require tackling chronic overcrowding.
Government data indicates that French prisons were operating significantly above their official capacity in July, highlighting a wider challenge affecting several European countries. Italy’s prison occupancy rate has also approached critical levels, while Belgium continues to face pressure from overcrowded facilities.
In Italy, prison rights organisations have used the summer heatwave to draw attention to living conditions inside correctional centres, warning that many inmates spend extended periods in hot cells with inadequate airflow and limited cooling options.
The Italian government has announced funding for additional fans and refrigerators in prisons and plans to expand prison capacity, while lawmakers have approved measures allowing some inmates with addiction-related offences to serve sentences outside prison facilities while undergoing rehabilitation programmes.
Belgium has also introduced emergency measures, including increased access to water and showers, but prison officials say ageing buildings and overcrowding continue to create tension. Some prison directors have reported rising conflicts among inmates and between prisoners and staff during periods of extreme heat.
Experts and human rights advocates say Europe’s worsening heatwaves are exposing deeper structural problems within prison systems. They argue that without significant investment in modern infrastructure, improved ventilation and strategies to reduce overcrowding, correctional facilities across the continent will remain vulnerable as extreme weather events become more frequent.
The growing crisis has intensified calls for governments to treat prison conditions as a public health and human rights issue, particularly as climate change continues to increase the frequency and severity of heatwaves across Europe.
