A prisoner from Texas filed a lawsuit in 2023, questioning the state’s inadequate control over heat levels. The lawsuit contended that the state was not only violating its own laws related to prison temperatures but also infringing the Eighth Amendment rights of the inmates by subjecting them to cruel and unusual punishment.
According to an amended complaint filed in April, Texas’s prisons have been severely impacted by the scorching heat for many years, leading to a surge in illnesses and fatalities. The situation has worsened with the rise in global temperatures due to climate change. The previous summer was the second hottest on record in Texas, with certain units of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice recording temperatures as high as 149 degrees Fahrenheit. The unrelenting heat in these unairconditioned prisons has resulted in an average of 14 deaths each year from 2001 to 2019.
According to recent reports, a mere 30% of Texas prisons are equipped with complete air conditioning systems. Although the state law requires that prison temperatures remain between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, the high temperatures at over a dozen state prisons have exceeded this range. For instance, Garza West Unit experienced temperatures that surpassed 100 degrees Fahrenheit for a continuous period of 11 days during the summer of 2023.
Last week, a report by The Texas Newsroom uncovered a series of documents linked to a lawsuit. The report shed light on the circumstances surrounding the deaths of several inmates, where state officials acknowledged that the extreme heat might have been a contributing factor, but not the sole reason for the fatalities.
In recent years, there have been several cases of inmate deaths due to extreme heat in correctional facilities. In one instance, a 50-year-old prisoner passed away with a core body temperature of 106.9 degrees, while another 32-year-old inmate died with a 107.5 body temperature. Another tragic case was that of Elizabeth Hagerty, a 37-year-old inmate who died in June of last year after experiencing a heat rash and gastrointestinal problems. At the time of her passing, the temperature in her cell was recorded to be over 95 degrees.
According to a spokesperson from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the deaths that occur in their facilities due to reasons other than heat are not categorized as heat-related deaths. This is because the main cause of death is attributed to underlying medical conditions, overdoses, and other factors. The Texas Newsroom reported this statement.
There is a disagreement among individuals on this matter.
According to Jeff Edwards, the plaintiff’s lead lawyer, stating that the heat is not causing deaths in the Texas prison system is completely false and misleading to the community and citizens of Texas. Edwards expressed his frustration with this notion, calling it outrageous and incorrect. He emphasized that this is precisely what their case is fighting against. The Texas Newsroom reported Edwards’ statement.
Texas officials are subjecting their inmates to cruel conditions by not installing adequate heat-control systems. This not only imprisons them but also puts their lives at risk due to life-threatening heat. It’s unacceptable for a prison sentence to include such inhumane treatment.