As others fled potential tsunami, San Quentin inmates felt trapped

(BCN) -- After a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Northern California on Thursday, an emergency alert went out telling the public to get to high ground. But incarcerated individuals weren't told what to do. It wasn't until after the National Weather Service issued an "all clear" that an email was sent out to the incarcerated population at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center over their Viapath tablet devices.

"As you may be aware, a tsunami alert was issued earlier today, please be advised the tsunami threat has been cleared," said a message issued on behalf of warden Chance Andes. For some incarcerated individuals, one of their biggest fears is to be trapped in their cells during a natural disaster like an earthquake, fire or flood.

"I don't know how to prepare for a tsunami, I never even thought about a tsunami," said Marcus Casillas, a 36-year-old prisoner who has been incarcerated for 14 years. "I think it would be beneficial for us to learn how to respond to any potentially catastrophic event. I heard the correctional officers were warned."

But preparing for a tsunami is difficult. Prison officials will likely not have time to evacuate prisoners to higher ground. According to the American Red Cross, people aren't advised to wait for an official warning before moving to higher ground.

Series of ocean waves caused by earthquakes, landslides or volcanic eruptions can flood for up to a mile inland. Parts of Marin County are within the tsunami map zone, which makes San Quentin's population particularly vulnerable.

It can happen here

The possibilities of tsunamis are real since California is earthquake-prone. In 2006, a tsunami hit Crescent City, causing extensive damage to the harbor. In 1964, another tsunami hit Crescent City and killed 11 people. Pelican Bay State Prison, which opened in 1989, is located there.

Most incarcerated individuals in prison have not received any training on what to do in case of a natural disaster or emergency, according to a 2023 "Hidden Hazards" climate change report by a team of University of California, Los Angeles researchers on behalf of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights.

The report concluded: "The California carceral system is not prepared to respond to climate hazards in or near prisons."

In fact, the report said incarcerated individuals aren't even defined as "vulnerable populations" by the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services.

Robbie Joe Bennett has been incarcerated since the late 1990s.

"What do I do in an emergency, it's never really been discussed," he said. "If a tsunami hit right now, I would try to run toward high ground, which for me is the fifth tier in my housing unit. I would climb as high as I could and scream to my friends along the way 'Tsunami!' Hopefully the walls would block the water."

Besides tsunamis, incarcerated individuals have to contend with the realities of rising heat in California that many say is caused by global warming. California prides itself in being a forerunner for addressing climate change, but maybe not when it comes to prisons. Experts expect more heat-related incarcerated deaths and illnesses in the near future.

"The state of California must act before the next season of extreme heat," said Bharat Venkat, a professor at UCLA and director of the UCLA Heat Lab. Whether the state will take action remains to be seen. Gov. Gavin Newsom said earlier this year that it would be too expensive to add cooling systems to protect state prisons.

"I don't expect any cooling systems," said Bennett. "But I might be able to find a flotation device for a tsunami."

Steve Brooks is a California Local News Fellow with Bay City News Foundation, reporting from inside San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. His perspective gives readers insight into issues and news from inside the prison. See more of his work at Inside/Out on Local News Matters.

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