South Korea defends $780,000 prison air conditioning project amid public backlash

The ministry said Tuesday the project is aimed at protecting both inmates and correctional officers from extreme heat, though the use of taxpayer money has triggered public criticism, Korea Times reported.

"The system will help improve the working environment for both inmates and correctional officers," it said.

A corridor inside a prison. Photo by Pexels

The air conditioning units will mainly be placed in areas that house elderly inmates and those with disabilities or medical conditions, according to the Korea JoongAng Daily.

"Some women’s housing units have also been included in the reinforcement plan after comprehensively considering overcrowding levels, physical characteristics and overall detention conditions," the ministry was quoted as saying.

"To respond to heatwaves and prevent heat-related illnesses, we have continuously promoted measures such as operating cooling shelters and providing ice water," it added.

The ministry's explanation, however, is still met with public criticism, with some online users arguing that taxpayer money should not be used for prison cooling systems.

"It's already annoying enough to feed criminals with taxes, but do we now have to install air conditioners with taxes too?" one commenter wrote.

Others said the funds should be spent on law-abiding citizens and victims' families.

"Relieve the families of victims with that money," one comment read, while another asked: "Aren't the elderly in cramped single-room housing areas who live without committing crimes the truly vulnerable people?"

Some supported the plan, saying the cooling systems would also benefit correctional officers working in the facilities.

"Correctional officers are working in the corridors of the prison accommodation blocks," one commenter said. "Air conditioners must be installed not for the inmates but for the improvement of the working environment of the correctional officers."