ABSTRACT
A sustainable world has to involve all of us, including those who are incarcerated. This chapter focuses on a rather new movement in the United States– one that connects environmental justice issues to the lives of those who are imprisoned. The chapter begins with a definition and discussion of the concept of environmental justice, followed by a discussion of incarceration in the United States. Environmental justice issues – and steps forward (or not) – are identified in relation to those who are housed or working in prisons, jails and other detention facilities, as well as those who are living in the surrounding communities. The chapter concludes by saying that environmental justice concerns need to be identified and addressed in prison reform. No one in the world should be living or working in – or living near – a detention facility that has unresolved environmental problems.
