In a troubling development, a federal trial has commenced in Austin regarding the alleged insufficient air conditioning in Texas prisons. Plaintiffs’ attorneys presented evidence suggesting that five inmates died due to heat-related causes during the last two summers. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) has yet to acknowledge the role of extreme heat in these fatalities, a point that was contested by state attorneys during the trial proceedings.
The trial follows a ruling by U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman in March 2025, which deemed the conditions of housing inmates in uncooled facilities as “plainly unconstitutional.” Although the judge opted not to mandate immediate air conditioning installation, he encouraged the plaintiffs, who seek complete air conditioning for the prison system by 2029, to pursue a trial rather than immediate relief.
Attorney Kevin Homiak, representing the plaintiffs, emphasized that TDCJ has failed to treat the situation as an urgent public health crisis. In contrast, Wade Johnson, defending TDCJ, asserted that the agency is actively increasing audits and mitigation strategies, including the introduction of cool beds. Johnson argued that the plaintiffs need to meet a high legal standard to prove deliberate indifference on the part of TDCJ.
According to the plaintiffs, three of the suspected heat-related deaths occurred during the summer months of June to August 2024, while the remaining two were in July and August 2025. Evidence presented included high heat indexes correlating with these incidents, some reaching extreme levels. Forensic pathologist Paul Uribe testified that elevated core body temperatures alongside high environmental temperatures necessitate consideration of heat as a contributing factor in these deaths.
However, some of the alleged heat-related fatalities lacked recorded body temperatures, creating questions around the accuracy of the cause of death determinations. Medical toxicology expert Susi Vassallo highlighted the challenges in understanding the circumstances of death without this crucial data.
Defense attorneys argued that alternative factors, such as drug toxicity, may be responsible for these incidents, and noted that first responders sometimes prioritize immediate medical attention over taking body temperatures.
The issue of heat-related deaths in Texas prisons is not new. Court documents reveal that at least 23 inmates died from heat-related causes between 1998 and 2012, with increasing reports of heat-related illnesses among both inmates and staff. The ongoing lawsuit underscores the pressing need for systemic changes in how Texas prisons manage extreme heat.
One major concern surrounding the trial is the financial burden associated with installing air conditioning in all Texas prisons. TDCJ estimates that such an initiative could exceed $1.1 billion, with annual operating costs nearing $20 million. Former TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier has publicly expressed a desire to implement air conditioning but cited financial limitations as a barrier.
The plaintiffs have criticized TDCJ for not aggressively pursuing funding for these necessary changes. Attorney Jeff Edwards remarked, “It’s a lot and it’s expensive, but all it takes is money. And so if you don’t ask for the money, you’re never going to get it.”
Despite the urgent need, the Texas Legislature has consistently failed to enact legislation mandating air conditioning in all prisons, only allocating a fraction of the required funding. In 2025, lawmakers approved $118 million for air conditioning installation, which is expected to provide an additional 18,000 cool beds. However, this still leaves a significant portion of the prison population without adequate heat relief.
As of late March 2025, TDCJ reported having 52,438 cool beds available, with expectations to increase this number to 70,000 by the end of the summer in 2027. The trial, presided over by Judge Pitman without a jury, is expected to span two weeks, providing a platform for further examination of the critical issues at hand.
