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Heat wave in US turns Texas prisons into ‘ovens’
On the afternoon of 4 July, as Americans were celebrating the country's independence with elaborate fireworks displays, a prisoner named Joseph Martire passed out in his cell in Texas, amid the excessive heat that has been swamping much of the southern United States in recent days. In concrete, brick, and metal penitentiaries, industrial fans churn warm vapor without really cooling the air. And with no air conditioning in most prisons, when outside temperatures exceed 40ºC (104 Fahrenheit), it can feel even hotter inside the cells. Some prisoners sabotage the toilets in their cells to make the water overflow and wet the floor, which they then sleep on. Others wet their clothes to try to stay cool, according to convicts, ex-convicts and family members who spoke to AFP. In recent weeks, 35-year-old Martire had four heat-related health episodes at Estelle Prison in Huntsville, where he has served 16 years. "I just passed out, the medical (staff) refused to see me and I don't know what to do," he told his family by phone. They called the prison administration to seek help. When other inmates sense that someone has passed out in a nearby cell, they yell to attract a guard's attention, but staff shortages often mean delays, Martire said. The stricken inmate is then taken to an administrative area of the jail that does have air conditioning for so-called "respite." Prisoners try to linger as long as possible. "I've already had too many issues with my health before from the heat," Martire said. Asked what the heat in the cells is like, Amite Dominick of the NGO Advocates for Texas Community Prisons replied: "The fastest way I can explain that is, go sit in your car on a triple-digit day. Bring a blow dryer with you. Crack your window a little bit." Brick oven The Texas Tribune news site reported that at least nine people had died in state prisons in June from heart attacks or other possibly heat-related causes. But Amanda Hernandez, spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), which is in charge of prisons, said the last heat death occurred in 2012. In June, the department treated seven cases of people affected "beyond first aid," but there were no fatalities, she said. The department, which oversees 126,000 prisoners, said that 32 people died in June, from a variety of causes. Dominick took issue with that breakdown. "The coroner will usually report something like 'cardiac arrest' because heat stroke is highly correlated with cardiac arrest," she said. "We're seeing the same reports. We're seeing medical evidence for what happens to the body. "You know, during these types of temperatures, these are heat-related deaths," Dominick added. Sean Adams, 36, served time in a prison called the Clemens Unit, in the Texas city of Brazoria, but which inmates call "Burns Like Hell." "It's one of the older units that was made out of, you know, red bricks," Adams said. "And so red bricks are essentially what ovens are made out of." The prisons agency said inmates have access to ice and water and can go to air-conditioned rest areas when necessary. So inhumane Samantha, whose daughter is a 25-year-old inmate at the Lane Murray prison, said three prisoners died there in June from heat-related causes. "The way that they're treated is so inhumane," she said. "In the summer months, when you're inside, you see multiple heat-induced seizures every day," said Marci Marie Simmons, a 44-year-old ex-convict and activist. She said that in late June, a 36-year-old inmate died in the Estelle prison hours after speaking with her mother and complaining about the heat. "If we go and leave a kid or a human being or an animal in a vehicle, we're going to prison. But the state of Texas wants to cook our Texans," said Michelle Lively, whose partner Shawn McMahon, 49, is in Wynne prison. "And some of them are dying, and they have short, like, stupid drug charges and they have a death sentence because they can't handle the heat," she said. In leaks to the media, prison workers have also complained about their working conditions, including the heat. Dominick said legislative efforts to do something about the heat have fallen short, with bills demanding air conditioning in prisons withering in the conservative-majority Texas Senate. Meanwhile, the state recently spent over $750,000 to purchase several air-cooled units for a large swine breeding operation run partly by inmates, Dominick said. "And they don't have it for human beings." The post Heat wave in US turns Texas prisons into ‘ovens’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Beep card and Internet woes
On the Beep card fiasco I spoke out recently on the chaos caused by the mandatory use of the “Beep card” for consumers riding the public buses under the “no-card no-ride”policy. It was as if the riding consumers were being required to purchase a Beep card at “gunpoint” or forget about riding the bus. This chaotic scenario could have been avoided had the regulators done its work mindfully by first consulting with the stakeholders (“who”), drafting the new policy (“what”) and once agreed upon, by ensuring wide dissemination of the changes – the Implementing Guidelines. Where did “complete staff work” go? Or are the consumers just being given an example of doublespeak? What happened this week was consumers were confronted with the “no- card no-ride”signs on the buses and were required to pay for a ride plus the cost of the card, something they did not need to do before. For those who did pay the extra cost, they then had to find out that the policy was “suspended,” although no refunds were being offered.There was also the spectacle of the agency head announcing that the cards were free, contradicting the policy his agency had just announced and implemented. The card providers then said they were not about to waive their right to be paid. In another statement, a regulator functionary reasoned that it had nothing to do with the fine print on the contract for the cards since they were only responsible for “policy.” This violates the consumer’s right to be informed. The agency should have studied the sector most affected by the shift to cashless transaction – the consumer who must rely on public transportation because he has no alternative and the same consumer who must make every peso count and who cannot afford any extra expense. This consumer deserves earnest and timely information from government on why he has to pay an additional amount and how it will benefit him, and for the consumers who did pay the additional cost of the card, they should enjoy a swift refund. The lesson that we consumers learned in the Beep card fiasco is always to be aware and conscious of our consumer rights and to speak up when these rights are threatened or belittled. We should always be vigilant consumers about our rights lest we find these rights trodden again. On Internet speed Like every other consumers, I have problems with Internet speed. I pay my bills and fees on time , however, I believe I should only pay for the speed that I receive and I did not think I was getting what I paid for under my plan. Therefore, I conducted my own speed test and sought redress from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). I was able to get a refund and am paying now for the plan that is nearest to the speed I am getting. Consumers should exercise their right to seek redress for bad Internet speed. Consumers should be reimbursed for speed that is not delivered. In this time of the pandemic, profiteering should not be tolerated in any form. I call upon the NTC to take the lead by issuing implementing guidelines on refund for both prepaid and postpaid plans. Consumers should also ask for faster response on consumer complaints. The complaints of Messrs. Foronda and Platon posted in the Laban Konsyumer emails should be resolved faster. Hopefully, the reported 1,171 new cell tower permits should alleviate consumer woes in the near future. In the meantime however, if you are not getting value for the service you paid for, your option is to downgrade your plan to correspond to the speed you are getting and claim a refund of excess fees paid. You can submit your complaint online at www.ntc.gov.ph. Atty. Vic Dimagiba is President of Laban Konsyumer Inc. Email: labankonsyumer@gmail.com.....»»
Cebu City declares state of calamity in 28 mountain barangays due to el Niño
CEBU CITY, Philippines – In response to the escalating effects of the ongoing El Niño phenomenon, Cebu City has declared a “state of calamity” in 28 mountain barangays. This decision comes after a resolution was passed with reports of dwindling water sources and agricultural distress, prompting urgent measures to assist affected communities in the city. .....»»
All Hail the Camera King! HONOR Magic6 Pro Ranks Number 1 in Camera Global Rankings
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PLDT, Smart named among world’s leading employers
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Reflecting on Your Business Setbacks
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Globe closed on an additional P1.16-B in tower sales
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Infants under six months most affected by pertussis — DOH
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Fisherfolk raise alarm over demolition of Navotas City fishing structures
“Affected fisherfolk and other residents ‘highly believe’ that the dismantling order is part of the 650-hectare reclamation project in the area.” The post Fisherfolk raise alarm over demolition of Navotas City fishing structures appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Fully independent PHI-NADO pushed
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MPL PH Season 13: Smart Omega stays winless; AP.Bren takes solo lead
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200 brgy workers, children affected by DavNor floods receive assistance
200 brgy workers, children affected by DavNor floods receive assistance.....»»
Fil-foreign teams top NBTC finals
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Singaporean embassy in India extends Holi wishes, shares images of celebrations in Barsana
New Delhi [India], March 24 (ANI): As Indians across the world geared up to ring in the festival of colours, the Singaporean embassy in the national capital extended its greetings for Holi, wishing that the festival would bring peace and joy to all. It also shared mesmerising pictures of Holi celebrations in one of India's oldest and most popular pilgrimage sites, Barsana, in Uttar Pradesh. A post on the official X handle.....»»
Lady Bullpups sweep way to glory
Local bet National U-Nazareth School survived the 51-point eruption of Naomi Panganiban for the fancied Fil-Am Nation Select Girls 1, 78-73, to reign supreme in the Manila Live Girls Under-19 Championships powered by the Smart-National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena......»»
Lady Bulldogs snap Tigresses’ unbeaten run
National U took revenge and dealt Santo Tomas its first scar, 23-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-20, in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament yesterday in front of 10,947 fans at the Smart Araneta Coliseum......»»
Go extends aid to Muntinlupa fire victims
In observance of Fire Prevention Month, Sen. Bong Go and his Malasakit Team distributed aid on March 21 to almost 1,000 families in Alabang, Muntinlupa who were affected by a recent fire......»»
D& L central hub in Batangas gets LEED gold seal
D&L Industries Inc. has secured a gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for its newly operational plant in Batangas......»»
Ybanez drops career-high 34 points, rallies Golden Spikers past Bulldogs
Josh Ybanez erupted for the UST Golden Spikers as he led a comeback over defending champions National University Bulldogs, 28-30, 22-25, 25-23, 25-22, 15-9, in the UAAP Season 86 men's volleyball tournament Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum......»»
Blue Eagles reassert mastery over Maroons in UAAP women s volleyball
The Ateneo Blue Eagles swept their UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball series with the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, blasting their Katipunan rivals 25-14, 25-20, 25-15, Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum......»»