Prisoners often endure extreme heat conditions both in the fields and within prison facilities, where many lack air conditioning, leading to serious health risks such as heat strokes.

In response to the soaring temperatures, a federal judge has mandated improvements for Black incarcerated workers in the fields, emphasizing the need for better heat-related safety measures.

U.S. District Judge Brian Jackson issued a temporary restraining order, citing 'deliberate indifference' from prison officials toward the health risks posed by extreme heat.

The judge acknowledged that many grievances from prisoners were valid, particularly regarding health monitoring and temperature regulation.

A class-action lawsuit filed by incarcerated workers and the advocacy group Voice of the Experienced alleges cruel and unusual punishment due to dangerous working conditions in the heat.

The class-action lawsuit is scheduled for a hearing in September, with plaintiffs describing their farm work as backbreaking and reporting inadequate access to water.

Angola prison, America's largest maximum-security facility, operates on land that was historically a slave plantation, where labor conditions have not significantly improved since emancipation.

Prisoner Lamont Gross reported witnessing colleagues collapse and suffer heat strokes while working under hazardous conditions, highlighting the extreme risks faced by inmates.

Louisiana corrections officials have warned that shutting down farm work at a heat index of 88 degrees could lead to widespread work stoppages across Southern prisons.

In light of the court order, prison officials are beginning to improve conditions by providing sunscreen, shade tents, and more frequent breaks during heat alerts.

The 13th Amendment allows prison labor in the U.S., which has led to accusations of modern-day slavery, a concern that a U.N. investigator plans to address in an upcoming report.

Investigations have revealed that prison farms supply millions in crops to major companies, prompting some brands to consider severing ties due to their links to prison labor.