Ministry of Justice: Air Conditioning in Correctional Facilities Is a Measure to Protect Vulnerable Inmates from Heat-Related Illnesses

"Focusing on Housing Units for the Elderly, Disabled, and Patients"

The Ministry of Justice recently described the installation of air conditioning systems in correctional facilities as "the minimum necessary measure to ensure the safety and physical well-being of inmates who are vulnerable to extreme heat."

The Minister of Justice and the Legal Affairs Press Corps inspected the poor detention conditions at Anyang Prison in Dongan District, Anyang City, Gyeonggi Province on April 15. Photo by Yonhap News

On June 2, the Ministry stated, "We are working to reinforce cooling systems, focusing on housing units where inmates vulnerable to heat-related illnesses—such as the elderly, people with disabilities, and patients—are housed."

The Ministry added, "We have continuously implemented measures such as operating cooling shelters and providing ice water in order to respond to heat waves and prevent heat-related illnesses. The recent installation of air conditioning equipment is also aimed at protecting those at risk for heat-related illnesses."

Additionally, the Ministry explained that "the newly installed cooling systems are placed in the corridors of the housing units, rather than inside the cells, which is an indirect cooling method designed to reduce the rise in indoor temperatures." It is also expected to help improve the working conditions of correctional officers as well as inmates.

Previously, some critics pointed out that after the Ministry of Justice allocated 1.2 billion won from this year's budget to reinforce cooling facilities in correctional institutions, there was backlash over "using taxpayers' money to install air conditioners for criminals."

Meanwhile, it has been reported that, in addition to the housing units for those vulnerable to heat-related illnesses, certain women's housing units have also been included in the cooling system upgrades, taking into consideration issues such as overcrowding, physical characteristics, and living conditions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.