A federal judge has ruled that the extreme heat conditions in Texas prisons are "plainly unconstitutional," affirming claims made by advocates of incarcerated individuals. Despite this ruling, Judge Robert Pitman did not mandate the immediate installation of air conditioning across facilities, a move that could cost billions of dollars, leading the lawsuit to continue to trial.

The case, originally initiated by Bernie Tiede, a convicted murderer whose story inspired a film, has expanded to include various prisoners' rights groups. These advocates argue that the oppressive heat levels, often exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit, constitute cruel and unusual punishment as outlined by the Eighth Amendment. Judge Pitman noted, “This case concerns the plainly unconstitutional treatment of some of the most vulnerable, marginalized members of our society,” in his ruling on the matter, reinforcing the argument against the state’s neglect regarding prison conditions.

During the 2024 hearing, Judge Pitman underscored the potential risk of serious harm caused by the extreme temperatures present in many unair-conditioned facilities. Current measures to combat heat, such as the provision of fans and limited shaded areas, were deemed arbitrary and inadequate. The court found that past efforts have not effectively addressed the severity of the situation, leading to increased mortality rates attributed to extreme heat.

Testimonies from former inmates painted a dire picture of life inside overheated prison buildings, and one notable study indicated that up to 271 deaths within uncooled facilities occurred between 2001 and 2019. As climate change exacerbates weather conditions, prisoner advocates stress that these numbers are likely to rise unless substantial changes are made.

Texas Department of Criminal Justice Executive Director Bryan Collier acknowledged heat-related issues, highlighting that excessive temperatures contributed to several deaths in the past year. However, he emphasized a lack of funding for widespread air conditioning installations, stating that while he would support the initiative, Texas lawmakers have failed to allocate the necessary funds despite a significant budget surplus.

The Texas Legislature has had multiple bills addressing the installation of air conditioning in prisons, but none have progressed to hearings yet. As the lawsuit progresses toward a trial, attorney Jeff Edwards, representing the plaintiffs, considered the ruling a partial victory. "We proved our case," he remarked, indicating a clear recognition by the court that current conditions might threaten inmates' well-being.

For more details, refer to the articles from CBS News, Newsweek, and The Hill.