A lawsuit was filed by a Texas prisoner in 2023, which challenged the state’s inadequate control of heat levels. According to the suit, the state was violating its own laws that govern prison temperatures, as well as infringing on the inmates’ Eighth Amendment rights, which prohibit cruel and unusual punishment.
According to an amended complaint filed in April, Texas’s prisons have been suffering from the harsh effects of extreme heat for many years, leading to a significant rise in illnesses and deaths. Unfortunately, as global climate change continues to raise temperatures, the situation is only getting worse. Last summer, Texas experienced its second-hottest season on record, with certain units from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice reaching a staggering 149 degrees Fahrenheit. The lack of air conditioning in Texas’s prisons has contributed to an average of 14 deaths per year from 2001 to 2019, the complaint stated.
According to state law, prisons in Texas should maintain temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. However, only about 30 percent of the state’s prisons are equipped with full air conditioning. This has led to daily high temperatures exceeding the mandated range in several state prisons. For instance, the Garza West Unit prison experienced temperatures above 100 degrees for 11 consecutive days during the summer of 2023.
Recently, a series of documents related to a lawsuit were obtained and published by The Texas Newsroom. The documents highlighted the circumstances surrounding the deaths of multiple inmates, wherein state officials acknowledged that extreme heat might have been a contributing factor. However, it was not the sole cause of the unfortunate incidents.
Inmates at a correctional facility have suffered severe consequences due to the extreme heat conditions. A 50-year-old inmate experienced a core body temperature of 106.9 degrees, while another 32-year-old prisoner had a body temperature of 107.5. Elizabeth Hagerty, a 37-year-old inmate, passed away in June last year after complaining about heat rash and gastrointestinal issues. Her cell’s temperature was over 95 degrees at the time of her death.
According to a spokesperson from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), the deaths that occurred in their custody due to reasons other than heat stroke are not categorized as heat-related deaths. The spokesperson clarified that these deaths were primarily caused by underlying medical conditions, overdoses, and other factors. This statement was given to The Texas Newsroom.
Despite the widespread acceptance of the idea, there are still some who do not see eye to eye on the matter.
Jeff Edwards, the lead lawyer for the plaintiff, expressed his disbelief at the suggestion that the heat is not responsible for deaths in the Texas prison system. He stated in an interview with The Texas Newsroom that such a claim is entirely false and unacceptable. He went on to describe the situation as outrageous and emphasized that this is precisely what their case aims to address.
Texas officials are subjecting their inmates to cruel conditions by refusing to install adequate heat-control systems. This not only imprisons them but also puts their lives at risk, which is unacceptable. It is essential to ensure that a prison sentence does not become a death sentence due to extreme heat.
