Judge Declares Texas Prison Heat Conditions Unconstitutional, Trial to Determine Remedies

A federal judge ruled that extreme heat in Texas prisons violates constitutional protections but stopped short of mandating immediate air conditioning installation.

U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman ruled that extreme heat in Texas prisons constitutes cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment.
The judge declined to order immediate installation of air conditioning, citing the high costs and logistical challenges of implementing such measures across all facilities.
The case, originally filed in 2023 and expanded by advocacy groups, will now proceed to trial, where the plaintiffs are expected to prevail.
Only about one-third of Texas' 100 prison facilities are fully air-conditioned, leaving approximately 85,000 inmates in dangerously hot conditions during summer months.
Advocates argue that current heat mitigation measures, such as fans and respite areas, are insufficient to prevent heat-related deaths and illnesses exacerbated by climate change.