Philippines: Prisoners of Climate Change

This case study highlights the ICRC’s Prisoners of Climate Change (PoCC) program, which addresses the dual challenges of increasing climate risks for overcrowded detention facilities and in the Philippines. With a 314% congestion rate, the country’s jails face heightened threats from extreme weather events like heatwaves, floods, and typhoons. The program, developed in collaboration with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), aims to decrease vulnerability of detainees and infrastructure to climate hazards and improve resilience.

Using climate hazard mapping and innovative digital tools, the program conducts risk assessments, enhances BJMP staff capacity, and involves detainees in planning solutions. Key improvements include building flood barriers, upgrading ventilation, and fortifying facilities against hazards.

The initiative has potential to reduce climate-related risks by half while safeguarding lives. The project provides a roadmap for integrating climate resilience into detention management, serving as a model for other countries grappling with similar challenges.