30-07-2025
Scorching cells
At Corcoran State Prison in the arid San Joaquin Valley of central California, the average outdoor summer heat index — or how hot it feels to the human body — often exceeds 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
An illustration of Corcoran State prison, showing the prison complex under a large sun during a hot summer day.
In 2024, every single summer day hit a heat index of at least 85 F.
An illustration of a housing unit at Corcoran State prison.
Built in 1988, the prison houses nearly 2,600 men, including Andre Peart, 57, who is serving a 25-years-to-life sentence in the minimum security section.
An illustration of Andre Peart sitting in his cell, looking out the window.
Corcoran State Prison has air-conditioning, but Peart's experience with the heat and rising temperatures, exacerbated by climate change, illustrate systemic problems with how prisons are built and maintained.
An illustration of Andre Peart sitting in his cell, looking out the window.
'I know we're here to do our time. We shouldn't have to worry about having a heat stroke or a heart attack,' Peart said.
A close up illustration of Andre Peart. Sweat is dripping down his face.
