As lawsuits mount, judge says heat in Texas prisons unconstitutional

Thu, 03 Apr 2025

Judge criticizes Texas prisons for lack of ACs, even as lawsuits mount

03 Apr 2025, 07:26 GMT+10

As lawsuits mount, judge says heat in Texas prisons unconstitutional

A federal judge criticized Texas for keeping prisoners in hot prisons without air conditioning but did not order an immediate fix before summer
The case is one of the most significant lawsuits in the U.S. regarding the protection of prisoners from extreme heat
Judge Robert Pitman said Texas must take action because the prison conditions are unconstitutional

AUSTIN, Texas: A federal judge criticized Texas for keeping prisoners in hot prisons without air conditioning but did not order an immediate fix before summer.

The case is one of the most significant lawsuits in the U.S. regarding the protection of prisoners from extreme heat.

Judge Robert Pitman said Texas must take action because the prison conditions are unconstitutional. His ruling could influence similar lawsuits in other states, especially in the South, where temperatures often exceed 100°F (37.7°C). In Louisiana, prisoners have also requested a federal judge's protection from the dangers of working outside in extreme heat.

Texas has the most extensive prison system in the country, with over 130,000 inmates. Only about a third of its 100 prison units have complete air conditioning. Some inmates have faked suicide attempts or set fires to escape the heat. Texas officials acknowledged that heat played a role in some deaths in 2023, but disagreed on its overall impact.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has requested US$118 million from lawmakers to install air conditioning in an additional 16,000 beds. The case will go to trial, and the judge has warned Texas that it may be forced to spend billions on installing permanent air conditioning. Lawmakers have introduced several bills to address the issue, but relief may not come in time for this summer.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Irish Sun.

More Information

null in null

International

Section

Judge criticizes Texas prisons for lack of ACs, even as lawsuits mount

As lawsuits mount, judge says heat in Texas prisons unconstitutional

AUSTIN, Texas: A federal judge criticized Texas for keeping prisoners in hot prisons without air conditioning but did not order an...

Trump orders spy satellites to monitor US-Mexico Border

Trump administration is pointing spy satellites at US border

WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Trump administration has ordered two intelligence agencies to use their spy satellites to monitor the U.S.-Mexico...

FDA, CDC, NIH face significant staff reductions, CMS less affected

Kennedy to slash 10,000 jobs in major overhaul of US health agencies

WASHINGTON, D.C.: U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a significant restructuring of federal...

South Korea’s worst wildfires kill 28, destroy historic temples

South Korea battles worst ever wildfires as death toll hits 28

ANDONG, South Korea: Wildfires in South Korea have doubled in size in just one day, making them the country's worst fire disaster....

Boeing to face trial this summer in 737 MAX fraud case

US judge sets Boeing 737 MAX fraud trial for June 23

WASHINGTON, D.C.: Boeing is now heading to trial this summer, after a U.S. judge unexpectedly set a date in the criminal fraud case...

Wildfires rage in Carolinas as dry winds, downed trees fuel flames

Wildfires in North and South Carolina fueled by Hurricane Helene

RALEIGH/COLUMBIA: Dry weather, strong winds, and fallen trees from Hurricane Helene have sparked wildfires in North Carolina and South...

Europe

Section

Apple faces record tax bill in Ireland despite profit surge

Apple's main Ireland unit faces 23.2 billion euros tax case

DUBLIN, Ireland: Apple's Irish headquarters shouldered a massive 23.2 billion euro corporation tax charge last year, largely due to...

Finance Ireland gets 700 million euros to boost auto, commercial loans

Finance Ireland raises over 700m euros to boost car, property lending

DUBLIN, Ireland: Finance Ireland has secured more than 700 million euros in funding to ramp up lending for cars and commercial property,...

Apple likely to escape EU fine after browser changes

Apple set to stave off EU fine over browser options, sources say

BRUSSELS, Belgium: Apple appears to have dodged a major regulatory setback in Europe, following recent changes to how users select...

Ireland doubles community funding for Lebanon, Harris announces

Ireland to boost humanitarian engagement with Lebanon

DUBLIN, Ireland: Ireland will double its community funding for local projects in Lebanon, Tanaiste Simon Harris announced this week...

Daily World Briefing, April 3

Daily World Briefing, April 3

U.S. rolls out reciprocal tariffs amid widespread opposition Amid widespread opposition, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday...

Trumps sledgehammer approach may cause trade wars financial analyst

Trumps sledgehammer approach may cause trade wars financial analyst

The US president is applying primitive tactics in both the economic and political issues hes dealing with, Henry Johnston tells RT...

Movie Review

Silver Bullet [Blu-Ray]