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Reuters
5 hours ago
- Health
- Reuters
How Reuters collected and analyzed prison temperature data
During the process of reporting on a story highlighting the impacts of rising temperatures on the U.S. prison population, Reuters set out to answer: How many prisons provide cooling for inmates? How hot does it get inside prisons? Reuters filed public records requests to every state and federal corrections department in the country asking for data on the presence of air conditioning systems in housing units and copies of indoor temperature logs. The absence of air conditioning in prisons can create dangerously high temperatures, potentially causing severe health issues and, in extreme cases, death. In February 2024, Reuters submitted public records requests, asking for a spreadsheet or electronic record indicating the presence of air conditioning in housing units in each adult prison. Thirty-five states responded, with 29 states providing records and six states either denying our request or responding they did not possess or maintain records. The Bureau of Prisons, which oversees all 122 federal prisons, did not respond to Reuters' request seeking information on how many facilities have air conditioning. In December 2024, Reuters submitted an additional round of public records requests, seeking spreadsheets or electronic records on the daily internal temperature readings for each housing area in every adult prison, covering the period from December 1, 2023, to December 1, 2024. Based on interviews with incarcerated individuals, the presence of air conditioning alone did not guarantee relief and adequately comfortable temperatures inside. Reuters identified 16 states across the country that were either in heat-prone areas or provided limited air conditioning. The federal Bureau of Prisons was not included in this request. Responses to these requests came in the form of emails, spreadsheets and PDFs. Reuters created a single standardized spreadsheet with the responses on the presence of air conditioning in housing units. Each prison was assigned a unique id (facility_id in the data), which matches the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Prison Boundaries Database. The DHS dataset includes the geographic boundaries and attributes of prisons, detention centers, re-entry facilities, jails and juvenile detention centers. If a facility_id is marked as NA in our spreadsheet, it may be because the facility is new and opened since the time of the last update by the DHS. In other instances, a facility may officially be categorized in another way, making it unavailable in the DHS database. To categorize air conditioning status, Reuters created two additional fields: ac_status and ac_status_details. For ac_status, a prison was marked as: The field ac_status_details provides additional information: Reuters found that nearly 50% of state prisons across 29 states have partial or no air conditioning in housing units. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice reported that 51 of its 58 facilities fall into this category—the highest number among all states that responded to Reuters. None of Maryland's 14 state prisons have air conditioning. The presence of air conditioning in a facility does not necessarily mean the system is operational. Some states provided additional details indicating whether air conditioning units required maintenance. In cases where a state reported that air conditioning is available in housing units, Reuters assumed those systems are functioning and capable of providing cool air to incarcerated individuals. In addition, it is possible that a prison has implemented air conditioning since we received the records. Reuters received copies of indoor temperature logs from five states. Each state provided documents that were in their respective recording formats. For instance, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice provided daily temperature data taken at 3 p.m. in housing areas without air conditioning, while data for areas with air conditioning was collected at 1 p.m. every few days. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation provided temperature records from May through September 2024 in the form of scanned PDFs containing handwritten entries. In total, 189 PDFs comprising over 28,000 pages were given to Reuters. Of those, Reuters identified 20,326 pages as directly related to internal temperatures. We focused on processing information from California as some CDCR facilities were in the nation's top 10 most heat-exposed prisons, where average outdoor daily temperatures exceeded 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius) for multiple days in a row. California state prisons were also where most of the incarcerated individuals we interviewed were located. To expedite processing this large volume of data, Reuters used Gemini 2.5 Pro, Google's most advanced AI thinking model, to read and extract the temperature log information, outputting the results in JSON format. Each page of the PDF was uploaded to Gemini 2.5 Pro along with a set of detailed instructions for data extraction. The AI-extracted data was then manually cleaned and merged into a single dataset. We further filtered this dataset to include internally recorded temperatures from June through August 2024, which can be found here. From June through August 2024, the average indoor temperature across all California state prisons was 76.2 F (24.6 C). The Sierra Conservation Center, a minimum and medium-security prison facility, recorded the highest average at 84 F (29 C). Several facilities experienced dangerously high indoor temperatures, with some reaching up to 104 F (40 C). To validate the conversion of internal temperature logs from California, Reuters assessed the AI extraction process by calculating the exact match rate — the percentage of entries where the AI output exactly matched the original handwritten PDF — and the degree of difference between the values. Reuters randomly sampled 384 temperature logs from California. Sample size was determined using Fisher's formula: where: E = margin of error or confidence interval to express degree of uncertainty We chose a 95% confidence level (1.96 for 95% confidence), a proportion of 0.5 (50%) to be conservative and offer a maximum sample size and a margin of error of 5% (0.05 for ±5%). This yielded a sample size of 384. We then manually verified this sample of 384 AI outputs against the original PDFs from CDCR. The model correctly read and transcribed the handwritten temperature data 95% of the time, with a ±5% margin of error at 95% confidence. However, most errors were small. The success rate rose to 97% for temperatures being within ±1 F (0.6 C). In five cases, Reuters couldn't read the original handwriting during the manual checks, or AI left the output blank. In cases where there was both a legible recorded temperature and an AI-extracted output, the mean absolute error (MAE), or how far off the AI output was from the actual record, was 2.6 degrees F (1.4 degrees C). The root mean squared error (RMSE), which gives more weight to larger misses, was 3.5 degrees F (1.9 degrees C). This means that on average, the AI-extracted outputs were within about 3.5 degrees of the actual recorded temperatures. These results indicate the model performed reliably, and often produced a result close to the original. Mismatches mostly occurred when the PDF had: All data and methodology are publicly available on GitHub at
RTÉ News
20 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Sean 'Diddy' Combs seeks release on $50-million bond ahead of sentencing
Attorneys for Sean "Diddy" Combs have asked a United States federal judge to release him from custody on a $50 million secured bond, grounded against his Miami property, while he awaits sentencing on 3 October. The motion follows a split verdict in his sex crimes trial: Combs was found not guilty on the most serious charges (sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy) but was convicted of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution under the Mann Act. In the filing, defence lawyer Marc Agnifilo argues that Combs has endured an unusually harsh detention since his arrest in September 2024, claiming Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn has dangerous conditions, including lockdowns, violence and fights within his housing unit. He says that defendants convicted of similar offences are normally released before sentencing, and emphasises that Combs did not profit financially from the acts in question. "Sean Combs should not be in jail for this conduct," Agnifilo wrote. "In fact, he may be the only person currently in a United States jail for being any sort of john." Previously, US District Judge Arun Subramanian denied bail immediately after the verdict, citing trial evidence of Combs's violent behaviour toward former partners and concerns about public safety and witness tampering. Combs is 55 years old and the founder of Bad Boy Records. Prosecutors alleged he coerced two former girlfriends into multi-day, drug-fuelled sexual performances involving male escorts, using threats and influence tied to his business empire. Combs has maintained the encounters were consensual. The two convictions he received each carry a statutory maximum of ten years. Prosecutors say sentencing guidelines call for a term between 51 and 63 months, while the defence has proposed a sentence more in line with federal guidelines, about 21 to 27 months or time served. Defence counsel propose exceptional circumstances for Combs's release, namely nearly ten months in MDC since late 2024 amid reported violence and unsanitary issues. They contend his safety is at risk and cite precedent where courts have withheld incarceration pending sentencing in similar cases. The Bureau of Prisons has acknowledged ongoing problems at MDC and said it is making intensive efforts to improve conditions. Legal experts say Judge Subramanian will weigh these arguments against concerns over Combs's history of violence, possible risk of flight and respect for the judicial process, all of which were cited in earlier bail denials.
The Hill
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Prison reform laws could safely send thousands home — if they're enforced
The two of us have spent a good chunk of our lives on opposite sides of prison bars. One of us worked for 16 years in the federal Bureau of Prisons, including a stretch as acting director during the first Trump administration. The other spent 14 years in federal prison before fighting to help hundreds of thousands of incarcerated people earn their freedom and successfully reenter society. Despite these different backgrounds — or perhaps because of them — we agree on one thing: Our criminal justice system can and must do much more to enhance safety and justice for all Americans. That's why we were encouraged when, last month, the Bureau of Prisons quietly issued a new directive that will help incarcerated individuals return more quickly to their families and communities. Although we are optimistic, the devil is in the details. For this policy to succeed, it must be implemented fairly and consistently for all who qualify. The U.S. has made real progress on criminal justice over the past few decades. The crime rate has declined 61 percent since its peak in 1991. The prison population has shrunk by roughly 25 percent since 2009, and racial disparities have dropped by 40 percent. This progress came from thoughtful, bipartisan reforms. Between 2007 and 2018, 35 states passed sentencing and corrections reform laws. At the federal level, two landmark measures — the Second Chance Act and First Step Act — stand out. Signed in 2008 by President George W. Bush, the Second Chance Act funds state and local programs that help incarcerated people reenter their communities. Ten years later, Trump signed the First Step Act, which modified mandatory minimums, expanded opportunities for people to earn time credits toward early release and increased access to rehabilitative and vocational programs. Many were surprised when Trump, who had promised tougher sentences as he campaigned for office, championed the First Step Act. But he pressured Republicans in Congress to support it and enthusiastically signed it into law, calling it proof that 'America is a nation that believes in redemption.' In his second term, Trump has sent mixed signals so far. His Justice Department cut more than $500 million in state and local criminal justice grants, and Attorney General Pam Bondi rolled out new tough-on-crime policies. At the same time, Trump created a new 'pardon czar' position to advise him on presidential clemency decisions, appointing Alice Marie Johnson — who served over 20 years in federal prison before receiving clemency from Trump — to the role. The latest advancement came in June when Bureau of Prisons Director William K. Marshall III directed the bureau to fully implement both the Second Chance Act and First Step Act. Declaring 'the dawn of a new era,' Marshall promised the policy change would save money, reduce strains on corrections staff and facilities and make it easier for many incarcerated people to return home and contribute to society. This latter point is the centerpiece of the First Step Act. The act allows low-risk individuals who complete rehabilitative programs to earn 'time credits' which can be applied toward early release or to serve the remainder of their sentences in home confinement or residential reentry centers. Since its passage, the First Step Act has proven effective. A Council on Criminal Justice analysis found that individuals released under the First Step Act were 55 percent less likely to return to prison than people with similar profiles released before the law took effect. These lower recidivism rates held even among those considered higher risk by the Bureau of Prisons. Yet challenges remain. Despite receiving more than $400 million annually under the First Step Act, the Bureau of Prisons has long claimed it lacks the contract capacity to support home confinement and reentry centers. There has also been confusion about whether the First Step Act and Second Chance Act could be applied simultaneously. Both the Biden and Trump administrations initially said they could not, before allowing it. The new Bureau of Prisons policy promises to solve these issues, but its success will depend on implementation. The director's message must reach and be embraced by all corners of the system. We have seen encouraging signs thus far. This month, the Bureau of Prisons launched a task force to address logistical hurdles faced by staff — a promising step toward ensuring the policy is put into practice. Going forward, we see three top priorities. First, communication. With over 155,000 employees, the Bureau of Prisons must ensure every staff member understands this policy and why it matters. Second, training. Too often, people remain behind bars simply because staff aren't properly trained on how to apply the law. And third, accountability. Bureau of Prisons leaders must quickly address any staff who resist the changes — whether through correction or removal. In the early months of Trump's second term, we have seen America's political divides on display, from the 'big beautiful bill' to the bombing of Iran to new tariffs. Criminal justice reform should be an exception. It offers a rare opportunity for common ground — a chance to advance solutions that make our communities both safer and more just. Hugh Hurwitz worked for the Bureau of Prisons for more than 16 years, including as acting director during the first Trump administration, and is a member of the Council on Criminal Justice. Louis L. Reed, who served nearly 14 years in federal prison and later helped pass over 30 state and federal bills, including the First Step Act of 2018. He is a member of the Council on Criminal Justice's Board of Trustees.
West Australian
5 days ago
- Politics
- West Australian
Former US congressman George Santos reports to prison
Disgraced former US Representative George Santos has reported to a federal prison in New Jersey to begin serving a seven-year sentence for the fraud charges that got him ousted from Congress. The federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed that the New York Republican was in custody on Friday at the Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, in southern New Jersey. Santos pleaded guilty last summer to federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges for deceiving donors and stealing people's identities in order to fund his congressional campaign. His lawyer Joe Murray, when asked for comment on Friday, responded with a brief, all-caps text: "FREE GEORGE SANTOS." The ever-online Santos, who turned 37 on Tuesday, hosted a farewell party for himself on X on Thursday night. "Well, darlings … The curtain falls, the spotlight dims, and the rhinestones are packed," he wrote in a post afterwards. "From the halls of Congress to the chaos of cable news what a ride it's been! Was it messy? Always. Glamorous? Occasionally. Honest? I tried … most days." Santos will serve his time in a minimum security camp at the all-male facility, which also includes a larger medium security prison, according to the Bureau of Prisons. Santos was elected in 2022, flipping a wealthy district representing parts of Queens and Long Island for the GOP. But he served for less than a year and became just the sixth member of the House to be ousted by colleagues after it was revealed he had fabricated much of his life story. During his winning campaign, Santos painted himself as a successful business owner who worked at prestigious Wall Street firms when, in reality, he was struggling financially. He also falsely claimed to have been a volleyball star at a college he never attended and referred to himself as "a proud American Jew" before insisting he meant that he was "Jew-ish" because his Brazilian mother's family had a Jewish background. The cascade of lies eventually led to congressional and criminal inquiries into how Santos funded his campaign and, ultimately, his political downfall. Since his ouster from Congress, Santos has been making a living hosting a podcast called "Pants on Fire with George Santos" and hawking personalised video messages on Cameo. He has also been holding out hope that his unwavering support for President Donald Trump might help him win a last-minute reprieve. The White House said this week that it "will not comment on the existence or non-existence" of any clemency request. In media appearances this month, the former lawmaker wasn't shy about sharing his morbid fears about life behind bars. "I'm not trying to be overdramatic here. I'm just being honest with you. I look at this as practically a death sentence," Santos told Tucker Carlson during an interview. "I'm not built for this." On social media, his recent musings have sometimes taken a dark turn. "I'm heading to prison, folks and I need you to hear this loud and clear: I'm not suicidal. I'm not depressed. I have no intentions of harming myself, and I will not willingly engage in any sexual activity while I'm in there," Santos said on X. "If anything comes out suggesting otherwise, consider it a lie … full stop."
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Former US congressman George Santos reports to prison
Disgraced former US Representative George Santos has reported to a federal prison in New Jersey to begin serving a seven-year sentence for the fraud charges that got him ousted from Congress. The federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed that the New York Republican was in custody on Friday at the Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, in southern New Jersey. Santos pleaded guilty last summer to federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges for deceiving donors and stealing people's identities in order to fund his congressional campaign. His lawyer Joe Murray, when asked for comment on Friday, responded with a brief, all-caps text: "FREE GEORGE SANTOS." The ever-online Santos, who turned 37 on Tuesday, hosted a farewell party for himself on X on Thursday night. "Well, darlings … The curtain falls, the spotlight dims, and the rhinestones are packed," he wrote in a post afterwards. "From the halls of Congress to the chaos of cable news what a ride it's been! Was it messy? Always. Glamorous? Occasionally. Honest? I tried … most days." Santos will serve his time in a minimum security camp at the all-male facility, which also includes a larger medium security prison, according to the Bureau of Prisons. Santos was elected in 2022, flipping a wealthy district representing parts of Queens and Long Island for the GOP. But he served for less than a year and became just the sixth member of the House to be ousted by colleagues after it was revealed he had fabricated much of his life story. During his winning campaign, Santos painted himself as a successful business owner who worked at prestigious Wall Street firms when, in reality, he was struggling financially. He also falsely claimed to have been a volleyball star at a college he never attended and referred to himself as "a proud American Jew" before insisting he meant that he was "Jew-ish" because his Brazilian mother's family had a Jewish background. The cascade of lies eventually led to congressional and criminal inquiries into how Santos funded his campaign and, ultimately, his political downfall. Since his ouster from Congress, Santos has been making a living hosting a podcast called "Pants on Fire with George Santos" and hawking personalised video messages on Cameo. He has also been holding out hope that his unwavering support for President Donald Trump might help him win a last-minute reprieve. The White House said this week that it "will not comment on the existence or non-existence" of any clemency request. In media appearances this month, the former lawmaker wasn't shy about sharing his morbid fears about life behind bars. "I'm not trying to be overdramatic here. I'm just being honest with you. I look at this as practically a death sentence," Santos told Tucker Carlson during an interview. "I'm not built for this." On social media, his recent musings have sometimes taken a dark turn. "I'm heading to prison, folks and I need you to hear this loud and clear: I'm not suicidal. I'm not depressed. I have no intentions of harming myself, and I will not willingly engage in any sexual activity while I'm in there," Santos said on X. "If anything comes out suggesting otherwise, consider it a lie … full stop."
