03 Apr 2025

AUSTIN, Texas: A federal judge criticized Texas for keeping prisoners in hot prisons without air conditioning but did not order an immediate fix before summer.

The case is one of the most significant lawsuits in the U.S. regarding the protection of prisoners from extreme heat.

Judge Robert Pitman said Texas must take action because the prison conditions are unconstitutional. His ruling could influence similar lawsuits in other states, especially in the South, where temperatures often exceed 100°F (37.7°C). In Louisiana, prisoners have also requested a federal judge's protection from the dangers of working outside in extreme heat.

Texas has the most extensive prison system in the country, with over 130,000 inmates. Only about a third of its 100 prison units have complete air conditioning. Some inmates have faked suicide attempts or set fires to escape the heat. Texas officials acknowledged that heat played a role in some deaths in 2023, but disagreed on its overall impact.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has requested US$118 million from lawmakers to install air conditioning in an additional 16,000 beds. The case will go to trial, and the judge has warned Texas that it may be forced to spend billions on installing permanent air conditioning. Lawmakers have introduced several bills to address the issue, but relief may not come in time for this summer.