If you have a friend or family member who’s currently serving time at a California state prison, you’ve probably already heard that this July, officials at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation decided to shut down all open-air showers in prison yards (link). Prisoners will still be able to use cellblock showers and take sponge baths in their cells. It’s not really the same as being able to take a shower in the open air. Sponge baths definitely don’t do the job adequately, that’s for sure.
Why? Ew.
California’s draught continues to be a major problem, especially since it’s gone on for over 4 years now. So lawmakers and government officials are constantly trying to figure out a way to reduce water consumption. This decision is part of an effort to reduce water consumption by 25% to hopefully lessen the impact of this drought. Showers will also be shut off at 37 state beaches.
What’s being done about this?
Lawyers for inmates have added this new restriction of the freedoms of inmates to a class action lawsuit that’s currently in the works.
Why prisons?
Unfortunately, prisons are often on the lowest end of the social hierarchy. Perhaps officials and others think that prisoners don’t have the same rights as regular citizens—but they do. The Constitution and other laws of our land don’t indicate that all rights of citizens expire when they go to prison.
It’s debatable whether people have a right to an outdoor shower, but there have been lots of significant encroachments to the comfort and wellbeing of prisoners in California prisons as overcrowding continues to be a major problem. How are prisoners supposed to rehabilitate and go on to live in good health when they can barely even bathe properly in prison?
Prison crowding an ongoing issue
Thankfully the passage of Proposition 47 has alleviated some prison overcrowding, but it’s just one step to solve this enormously complicated issue. There are so many factors that affect the policy developments about prison conditions, including draughts, overcrowding, financial and social pressure, and more.
Prison worries
Most people are concerned about the conditions in California prisons. At all costs, avoid going to prison in California by contacting Southern California’s best criminal defense attorney, Dan Chambers of the Chambers Law Firm, to handle your case. When you schedule a free consultation with him, he’ll start developing a sound legal strategy for your unique case right away. Get started by calling 714-760-4088, emailing dchambers@clfca.com, or by using the chat box below.
