Calls for Air Conditioning in Texas Prisons Grow Amid Inhumane Heat Conditions

Advocates, families, and politicians in Texas are urging state leaders to install air conditioning in prisons as triple-digit temperatures turn the facilities into "living hell." More than two-thirds of Texas' 100 prisons lack air conditioning in living quarters, leading to concerns about medical emergencies and deaths due to excessive heat. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice claims that the recent deaths are not heat-related, but a study from Texas A&M University suggests that heat-related deaths are likely underestimated. The lack of air conditioning in prisons has also been cited as a reason for staffing issues and increased legal fees. Despite a budget surplus, the Senate rejected a plan to allocate $545 million for air conditioning, offering only $85.7 million for deferred maintenance projects. Advocates argue that the living conditions for inmates should be better than those of animal shelters.