Pressure mounts on Texas to address brutal heat crisis in prison cells
Summary
Texas is facing new legal action over extreme heat conditions in its prisons, which lack air conditioning and expose inmates to dangerous temperatures. The family of Jason Wilson filed a wrongful death lawsuit after he died in a hot solitary confinement cell, joining other cases demanding the state install air conditioning in all prisons.Key Facts
- Texas has the largest prison population in the U.S., with 141,000 inmates.
- More than 85,000 prisoners are held in cells without air conditioning, where temperatures can exceed 115°F (46°C).
- Jason Wilson died in July 2024 in a solitary confinement cell at Coffield prison; his family alleges heat caused his death.
- The lawsuit accuses Texas authorities of “deliberate indifference” and failing to provide water, showers, or temperature checks.
- Texas prisons recorded three heat-related inmate deaths in 2023; officials deny any since then.
- Temperatures inside cells can reach 149°F, putting vulnerable prisoners at risk of heatstroke.
- Advocates report ongoing issues with water and electricity outages, worsening heat problems.
- A separate federal lawsuit seeks a court order to require air conditioning in all Texas prisons over three years.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
