Feeling the heat: Rising temperatures leave San Quentin prisoners especially vulnerable

SITTING IN MY CELL at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center on the fifth tier in North Block, trying to keep cool underneath my 8-inch plastic fan, suddenly I hear an explosion.

My fan stops spinning. All the lights go out. The backup generator has exploded. After 15 minutes, my body starts heating up. I take off as much clothing as I can without becoming indecent. My skin warms and I perspire. My heart starts to beat faster and faster. After 30 minutes, I stand by the cell bars to see if any air is there. There isn’t.