South Carolina is being evacuated for Hurricane Florence. But incarcerated folks and prison staff are being forced to stay. This is inhumane. 

Many parts of the state are in forced evacuation zones and more than a million residents in the region are being told to leave. However, nearly a thousand prisoners, guards, and prison staff are being forced to stay in the evacuation zone while a category 4 storm hits much of the coastal south. 

South Carolina's Governor Henry McMaster said on Tuesday "We're not going to gamble with the lives of the people of South Carolina...not a one." But it's clear that Governor McMaster doesn't care about gambling with the lives of over 900 prisoners and staff. 

Most of the people incarcerated in this country are Black and Brown. And Black and Brown communities are also the most directly impacted by natural disasters, like Hurricane Florence, that are a result of rapid environmental change. Forcing incarcerated folks to stay in evacuation zones during a hurricane is just one example of how Black people are both impacted by mass incarceration, environmental racism, and climate change all at once.

Not allowing prisoners to be evacuated during a life-threatening hurricane is just one of the many ways that incarcerated folks are not treated like humans, and why we must continue to fight for their dignity, respect, and basic human rights. 

This is not the first time that incarcerated folks have been left behind during storms--we saw this happen in 2005 during Hurricane Katrina as well. More than 1,000 prisoners spent nearly a week in chest-high water as they waited to be evacuated the generators failed, ventilation was gone, and there were absolutely no food services. For nearly a week during Hurricane Katrina, prisoners had no access to food. This could happen again with Hurricane Florence if we don't fight to have all our people moved immediately. No one should have to go through this. These slave-like conditions must end.

Demand that South Carolina Governor McMaster move all prisoners and staff located in evacuation zones in South Carolina immediately--before Hurricane Florence hits.

Here is the Petition:

We urge you to evacuate all South Carolina prisons, including inmates and prison staff, that's facilities are located within an evacuation zone for Hurricane Florence. All inmates and staff must be moved to a safe location that is out of the evacuation zone.