Texas Prisons Face Federal Trial Over Lack of Air Conditioning Amid Alleged Heat-Related Deaths

Plaintiffs claim 5 heat-related deaths in past 2 years, while state disputes link to high temperatures

Mar. 31, 2026 at 2:33am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a thermometer reading a high temperature, captured in a harsh, gritty style to convey the dangerous heat conditions in Texas prisons.A stark visual representation of the extreme heat conditions that inmates in Texas prisons may be forced to endure.Austin Today

A federal trial has begun in Austin over the lack of air conditioning in Texas prisons, with plaintiffs alleging at least 5 heat-related deaths in the past 2 years. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has not acknowledged heat as a significant factor in these deaths, and the state's attorneys pushed back against the claims during the opening proceedings. The trial follows a 2025 ruling that found housing inmates in sweltering facilities without AC is 'plainly unconstitutional', though the judge declined to immediately force the state to install cooling systems.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing debate over the constitutional rights of prisoners and the state's responsibility to provide humane living conditions, even as the costs of installing widespread air conditioning in aging prison facilities remains a major obstacle. The outcome could set an important precedent for how states address heat-related risks in correctional settings.

The details

Plaintiff attorneys presented evidence of 5 alleged heat-related deaths in Texas prisons over the last 2 summers, while the state disputed the link to high temperatures. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has not publicly acknowledged heat as a significant factor in these deaths. The federal trial follows a 2025 ruling that found housing inmates in sweltering facilities without AC is unconstitutional, though the judge did not immediately force the state to install cooling systems. Plaintiffs are now asking the court to order the entire prison system to be air-conditioned by the end of 2029, with measurable milestones. The state argues the costs, estimated at over $1 billion, are prohibitive, though the plaintiffs say the agency could be more aggressive in seeking funding.

  • Three of the suspected heat-related deaths took place between June and August 2024.
  • The other two alleged cases happened in July and August 2025.
  • The federal trial in Austin began on March 31, 2026 and is expected to last 2 weeks.

The players

Judge Robert Pitman

The Obama-appointed U.S. District Judge presiding over the federal trial.

Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ)

The state agency operating the Texas prison system, which is defending against the lawsuit.

Kevin Homiak

Attorney representing the plaintiffs, a group of organizations advocating for prisoners.

Wade Johnson

Attorney defending TDCJ in the trial.

Paul Uribe

Forensic pathologist testifying for the plaintiffs.

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What they’re saying

“TDCJ still refuses to treat this as an emergency.”

— Kevin Homiak, Attorney for plaintiffs

“Anytime you have an elevated core body temperature and … elevated environmental temperatures, heat should be considered.”

— Paul Uribe, Forensic pathologist

“How can you have a medical examiner give you the right opinion [about] the cause of death when that medical examiner doesn't know the body temperature?”

— Susi Vassallo, Medical toxicology specialist

What’s next

The federal trial is expected to last 2 weeks, after which Judge Pitman will issue a ruling on whether the state must install air conditioning in all Texas prisons.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tension between prisoners' constitutional rights and the high costs of providing adequate climate control in aging correctional facilities. The outcome could set an important precedent for how states address heat-related risks in prisons nationwide.