Phoenix is in the middle of a devastating heat wave. Temperatures nearing 120 degrees grounded flights on Tuesday, and physicians are warning of health risks associated with the heat.

But for some inmates in Maricopa County, there is no other option but sleeping outside, even during a heat wave.

In 1993, former Maricopa County Sheriff and controversial Donald Trump surrogate Joe Arpaio erected "Tent City," an outdoor jail complex where inmates were housed in Korean War-era tents and forced to endure the harsh desert weather as part of their sentence, the New York Times reported. Arpaio once referred to Tent City as a "concentration camp."

In April, Arpaio's newly elected successor, Sheriff Paul Penzone, announced that the Tent City complex would shut down after years of criticism from human rights advocates. But months later even after reports that Tent City had been dismantled there are still inmates forced to sleep outside in tents even as the temperatures soar.

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Maricopa County 'Tent City'

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PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 11: An immigrant inmate rests on his bunk at the Maricopa County Tent City jail on March 11, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. The tent jail, run by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, houses undocumented immigrants who are serving up to one year after being convicted of crime in the county. Although many of immigrants have lived in the U.S for years, often with families, most will be deported to Mexico after serving their sentences. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 11: Immigrant inmates are served milk at breakfast at the Maricopa County Tent City jail on March 11, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are the standard daily breakfast at the facility. The tent jail, run by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, houses undocumented immigrants who are serving up to one year after being convicted of crime in the county. Although many of immigrants have lived in the U.S for years, often with families, most will be deported to Mexico after serving their sentences. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

One of the guard towers and the camoflauged fence is seen surrounding Sheriff Joe Arpaio's Maricopa County 'tent city' on May 3, 2010, in Phoenix, Arizona. This area of the tent city houses misdemeanor offenders. AFP Photo/Paul J. Richards (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 11: A Protestant minister greets immigrant inmates at church service at the Maricopa County Tent City jail on March 11, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. Striped uniforms and pink undergarments are standard issue at the facility. The tent jail, run by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, houses undocumented immigrants who are serving up to one year after being convicted of crime in the county. Although many of immigrants have lived in the U.S for years, often with families, most will be deported to Mexico after serving their sentences. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 11: Immigrant inmates eat breakfast at the Maricopa County Tent City jail on March 11, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. The striped uniforms and pink undergarments are standard issue at the facility. The tent jail, run by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, houses undocumented immigrants who are serving up to one year after being convicted of crime in the county. Although many of immigrants have lived in the U.S for years, often with families, most will be deported to Mexico after serving their sentences. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 11: An immigrant inmate prepares breakfast at the Maricopa County Tent City jail on March 11, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are the standard daily breakfast at the facility. The tent jail, run by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, houses undocumented immigrants who are serving up to one year after being convicted of crime in the county. Although many of immigrants have lived in the U.S for years, often with families, most will be deported to Mexico after serving their sentences. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 11: Immigrant inmates walk for excercise at the Maricopa County Tent City jail on March 11, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. The striped uniforms and pink undergarments are standard issue at the facility. The tent jail, run by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, houses undocumented immigrants who are serving up to one year after being convicted of crime in the county. Although many of immigrants have lived in the U.S for years, often with families, most will be deported to Mexico after serving their sentences. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 11: An immigrant inmate reads on his bunk at the Maricopa County Tent City jail on March 11, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. The tent jail, run by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, houses undocumented immigrants who are serving up to one year after being convicted of crime in the county. Although many of immigrants have lived in the U.S for years, often with families, most will be deported to Mexico after serving their sentences. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 11: An immigrant inmate walks for excercise at the Maricopa County Tent City jail on March 11, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. The striped uniforms and pink undergarments are standard issue at the facility. The tent jail, run by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, houses undocumented immigrants who are serving up to one year after being convicted of crime in the county. Although many of immigrants have lived in the U.S for years, often with families, most will be deported to Mexico after serving their sentences. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 11: An immigrant barber cuts a fellow inmate's hair at the Maricopa County Tent City jail on March 11, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. The striped uniforms and pink undergarments are standard issue at the facility. The tent jail, run by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, houses undocumented immigrants who are serving up to one year after being convicted of crime in the county. Although many of immigrants have lived in the U.S for years, often with families, most will be deported to Mexico after serving their sentences. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 11: A Protestant minister greets immigrant inmates at church service at the Maricopa County Tent City jail on March 11, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. Striped uniforms and pink undergarments are standard issue at the facility. The tent jail, run by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, houses undocumented immigrants who are serving up to one year after being convicted of crime in the county. Although many of immigrants have lived in the U.S for years, often with families, most will be deported to Mexico after serving their sentences. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 11: An immigrant inmate enters his tent at the Maricopa County Tent City jail on March 11, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. Striped uniforms and pink undergarments are standard issue at the facility. The tent jail, run by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, houses undocumented immigrants who are serving up to one year after being convicted of crime in the county. Although many of immigrants have lived in the U.S for years, often with families, most will be deported to Mexico after serving their sentences. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 11: An immigrant inmate rests on his bunk at the Maricopa County Tent City jail on March 11, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. The tent jail, run by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, houses undocumented immigrants who are serving up to one year after being convicted of crime in the county. Although many of immigrants have lived in the U.S for years, often with families, most will be deported to Mexico after serving their sentences. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 11: An immigrant inmate prepares breakfast at the Maricopa County Tent City jail on March 11, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are the standard daily breakfast at the facility. The tent jail, run by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, houses undocumented immigrants who are serving up to one year after being convicted of crime in the county. Although many of immigrants have lived in the U.S for years, often with families, most will be deported to Mexico after serving their sentences. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 11: An immigrant inmate walks to the bathroom at the Maricopa County Tent City jail on March 11, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. The striped uniforms and pink undergarments are standard issue at the facility. The tent jail, run by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, houses undocumented immigrants who are serving up to one year after being convicted of crime in the county. Although many of immigrants have lived in the U.S for years, often with families, most will be deported to Mexico after serving their sentences. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 11: Immigrant inmates line up for breakfast at the Maricopa County Tent City jail on March 11, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. The striped uniforms and pink undergarments are standard issue at the facility. The tent jail, run by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, houses undocumented immigrants who are serving up to one year after being convicted of crime in the county. Although many of immigrants have lived in the U.S for years, often with families, most will be deported to Mexico after serving their sentences. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 11: An immigrant inmate walks for excercise at the Maricopa County Tent City jail on March 11, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. Striped uniforms and pink undergarments are standard issue at the facility. The tent jail, run by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, houses undocumented immigrants who are serving up to one year after being convicted of crime in the county. Although many of immigrants have lived in the U.S for years, often with families, most will be deported to Mexico after serving their sentences. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 11: An immigrant inmate sits on his bunk at the Maricopa County Tent City jail on March 11, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. The striped uniforms and pink undergarments are standard issue at the facility. The tent jail, run by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, houses undocumented immigrants who are serving up to one year after being convicted of crime in the county. Although many of immigrants have lived in the U.S for years, often with families, most will be deported to Mexico after serving their sentences. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 11: Immigrant inmates excercise at the Maricopa County Tent City jail on March 11, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. Striped uniforms and pink undergarments are standard issue at the facility. The tent jail, run by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, houses undocumented immigrants who are serving up to one year after being convicted of crime in the county. Although many of immigrants have lived in the U.S for years, often with families, most will be deported to Mexico after serving their sentences. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

An inmate held inside Sheriff Joe Arpaio's Maricopa County 'tent city' walks in the housing area May 3, 2010, in Phoenix, Arizona. This area of the tent city houses misdemeanor offenders. In August, 1993, Arpaio started the nation?s largest Tent City for convicted inmates. Two thousand convicted men and women serve their sentences in a canvas incarceration compound. AFP Photo/Paul J. Richards (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)

Detention Officer Rene Ansley holds up the uniform worn by 'unsentenced imates' inside Sheriff Joe Arpaio's Maricopa County 'tent city' May 3, 2010, in Phoenix, Arizona. In August, 1993, Arpaio started the nation?s largest Tent City for convicted inmates. Two thousand convicted men and women serve their sentences in a canvas incarceration compound. AFP Photo/Paul J. Richards (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)

Detention Officers escort female imates inside Sheriff Joe Arpaio's Maricopa County 'tent city' May 3, 2010, in Phoenix, Arizona. This area of the tent city houses misdemeanor offenders. In August, 1993, Arpaio started the nation?s largest Tent City for convicted inmates. Two thousand convicted men and women serve their sentences in a canvas incarceration compound. AFP Photo/Paul J. Richards (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)

An unoccupied area of Sheriff Joe Arpaio's Maricopa County 'tent city' is seen behind a locked gate May 3, 2010, in Phoenix, Arizona. This area of the tent city houses misdemeanor offenders. In August, 1993, Arpaio started the nation?s largest Tent City for convicted inmates. Two thousand convicted men and women serve their sentences in a canvas incarceration compound. AFP Photo/Paul J. Richards (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)

Inmate Christopher Lee, 32 jailed for drug possession works in the stables for abused horses inside Sheriff Joe Arpaio's Maricopa County 'tent city' May 3, 2010, in Phoenix, Arizona. In August, 1993, Arpaio started the nation?s largest Tent City for convicted inmates. Two thousand convicted men and women serve their sentences in a canvas incarceration compound. AFP Photo/Paul J. Richards (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)

An inmate held inside Sheriff Joe Arpaio's Maricopa County 'tent city' jail carries his laundry May 3, 2010, in Phoenix, Arizona. This area of the tent city houses misdemeanor offenders. In August, 1993, Arpaio started the nation?s largest Tent City for convicted inmates. Two thousand convicted men and women serve their sentences in a canvas incarceration compound. AFP Photo/Paul J. Richards (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)

Maricopa Country Detention Officer Rene Ansley holds up one of the pink boxer style underware male inmates wear inside Sheriff Joe Arpaio's tent city jail May 3, 2010, in Phoenix, Arizona. The inmates also have matching pink socks. This area of the tent city houses misdemeanor offenders. AFP Photo/Paul J. Richards (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)

PHOENIX - APRIL 30: Undocumented immigrant Jose Hechavaria (R), 43, stands with fellow prisoners in the yard of the Maricopa County Tent City Jail on April 30, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. Hechavaria, a 13-year resident of Arizona, said he was arrested by sheriff's deputies on a DUI charge and then held because of his illegal immigration statues. Some 200 undocumented immigrants are currently serving time in the facility. The controversial jail is run by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who has been an outspoken critic of illegal immigration and a supporter of Arizona's new tough immigration law. Prisoners at the facility are fed twice a day, sleep in non-airconditioned tents and are issued striped prison uniforms and pink underwear and socks. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

PHOENIX - APRIL 30: Undocumented immigrants play cards in their tent at the Maricopa County Tent City Jail on April 30, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. Some 200 undocumented immigrants are currently serving time in the facility, and most will be deported to Mexico after serving their sentence. The controversial jail is run by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who has been an outspoken critic of illegal immigration and a supporter of Arizona's new tough immigration law. Prisoners at the facility are fed twice a day, sleep in non-airconditioned tents and are issued striped prison uniforms and pink underwear and socks. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

PHOENIX - APRIL 30: Undocumented immigrants sleep in their tent at the Maricopa County Tent City Jail on April 30, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. Some 200 undocumented immigrants are currently serving time in the facility, and most will be deported to Mexico after serving their sentence. The controversial jail is run by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who has been an outspoken critic of illegal immigration and a supporter of Arizona's new tough immigration law. Prisoners at the facility are fed twice a day, sleep in non-airconditioned tents and are issued striped prison uniforms and pink underwear and socks. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

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Joaquin Enriquez, a spokesperson for the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, said in an email Tuesday that while the "last tent at Tent City did go down" and about 400 inmates were relocated to indoor facilities, there are still 380 inmates remaining in the "con-tents," a part of the outdoor jail complex that houses people on work furlough.

Those 380 inmates leave "to work at their regular jobs" during the day and come back to sleep in the tents at night, Enriquez said.

Plans are still on track to fully shut down the outdoor jail, including the "con-tents," within six months of Sheriff Penzone's April announcement. But for now, inmates are still sleeping in outdoor tents during a brutal heat wave.

"During times like these high heat warnings inmates and detention officers are given unlimited access to ice water," Enriquez said, adding that officers pay "close attention" to the condition of inmates.

"If an inmate develops a medical condition due to heat or any other factor, the individual is transferred to Correctional Health Services," Enriquez said.

For local prisoners' rights advocates, the fact that people are being kept outside in the heat is concerning.

"We have always opposed the tent facility, for a lot of reasons, including health reasons," Donna Leone Hamm, the director of Arizona prisoners' rights advocacy group Middle Ground Prison Reform, said in a phone call Tuesday.

"Even though most of these folks may be leaving during the day and coming back at night, it's still 95 degrees at night," Hamm said.

She raised concerns that the extreme heat could be dangerous for anyone with a medical condition that could be worsened by the weather. And even for "a healthy adult male who has no other medical problems, who is drinking and staying hydrated completely," the "oppressive" heat would still feel uncomfortable, she said.

Hamm said that despite the sheriff's office's assertion that inmates are given unlimited access to water, the county is "risking a lot of liability" by exposing so many people to the heat.

Her organization is hopeful that the last remaining tent facilities will shut down along the timeline that Penzone promised in April.

"When the new sheriff came into office, we were very pleased to see that he was immediately intending on getting rid of the tents," Hamm said.

"I wish they would have just wholesale closed them down, but we're willing to accept that he is moving forward to do that ... I would hope that this heat wave would be the incentive."

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It's 120 degrees in Phoenix -- and inmates at a local jail have to sleep outside - AOL