A coalition of workplace safety advocates and unions representing prison staffers back a state bill that would require CDCR to implement minimum relief measures during excessive weather events. AB 2499 would also mandate cooling systems at correctional facilities\u2019 living quarters, work areas, and recreational spaces. The Assembly\u2019s public safety committee plans to hear the proposed legislation on March 24.<\/p>\n
State prison officials have estimated that it would cost about $6 billion<\/a> to implement effective air cooling mechanisms to protect prison workers from extreme heat. Cost concerns led policymakers to exclude CDCR<\/a> from indoor heat rules issued in 2024 for restaurants, warehouses, manufacturing plants and other indoor workplaces.<\/p>\n Those regulations<\/a> have a lower temperature trigger than the current proposal for prisons and jails, as businesses are required to provide workers with drinking water and cool-down options when indoor temperatures climb to 82 degrees. If an area reaches 87 degrees, employers must lower the temperature through air conditioning, ventilation and other measures, or reduce worker exposure to the heat.<\/p>\n CDCR has been working on a $38 million pilot program <\/a>to test insulation and cooling system improvements at three prisons in Madera, Kern and Los Angeles counties over the next four years. Results are not expected until 2028 at the earliest.<\/p>\n![\"Imprisoned](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/107520204_qed.jpg\")
California Department of Corrections officer looks on as inmates at Chino State Prison exercise in the yard Dec. 10, 2010, in Chino, California. (Kevork Djansezian\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n