Five heat-related deaths have occurred in Texas prisons over the past two summers, as plaintiff’s attorneys revealed on the first day of a federal trial regarding inadequate air conditioning in these facilities. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has not publicly acknowledged heat as a major factor in these deaths, and state lawyers challenged these claims during the initial hearings.
A ruling in March 2025 by U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman deemed that housing Texas prison inmates in hot facilities without air conditioning is unconstitutional. The judge did not mandate immediate installation of air conditioning, citing the high costs estimated to be over $1 billion. Instead, he directed the plaintiffs, who aim for the entire prison system to be air-conditioned by the end of 2029, to proceed with a trial.
Attorney Kevin Homiak, representing the plaintiffs, expressed that TDCJ is neglecting the urgency of the situation. On the other hand, Wade Johnson, a TDCJ defense lawyer, mentioned the agency’s efforts in conducting audits, implementing mitigation measures, and introducing cool beds, disputing the plaintiffs’ claims of indifference.
The plaintiffs presented that three of the suspected heat-related deaths occurred between June and August 2024, with two more cases happening in July and August 2025. They highlighted the extremely high temperatures during the time of these deaths, some reaching triple digits. Expert testimony emphasized the importance of considering heat in such situations where elevated body temperatures are involved.
Discussions in the trial revolved around the scrutiny of recorded body temperatures in alleged heat-related deaths and the need for a thorough investigation. While TDCJ argued that factors like drug toxicity could be responsible for these deaths, plaintiffs emphasized the significance of addressing the lack of recorded temperatures for accurate analysis.
Apart from the documented cases, court records indicated at least 23 individuals died from heat-related causes in TDCJ prisons between 1998 and 2012, with more reports of heat-related illnesses among inmates and staff. The financial burden of installing air conditioning in state prisons emerged as a major concern throughout the legal proceedings.
Estimates suggest that equipping every unit with permanent air conditioning would cost over $1.1 billion, with an annual operating expense close to $20 million. Former TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier expressed willingness to provide air conditioning across all prisons but cited budget constraints. Plaintiffs advocated for more proactive measures to secure funding for this essential upgrade.
Despite repeated legislative attempts, the Texas state Legislature has not passed any bills mandating air conditioning in all prisons while allocating a fraction of the required funds. In 2025, lawmakers earmarked $118 million for air conditioning improvements, aiming to increase the number of cool beds but leaving a significant portion of the prison population without adequate cooling.
As of March 25, TDCJ reported 52,438 available cool beds, anticipating to reach 70,000 beds by the end of summer 2027. The ongoing trial, overseen by Judge Pitman instead of a jury, is forecasted to conclude within a two-week period.
