Federal Judge Orders Texas To Air-Condition Entire Prison System By 2029
On Tuesday, September 22, 2026, U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman ordered Texas to fully air-condition its prison facilities by the end of 2029.[1]
Pitman ruled that the absence of air conditioning in most Texas lockups violates the U.S. Constitution's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.[1] His order said Texas prison officials had "failed to act with reasonable urgency or commitment" even as heat indexes exceeded 130 degrees and inmates suffered illnesses and deaths.[1]
Advocates and incarcerated people had pursued litigation arguing that extreme heat in Texas prisons caused serious harm, and the judge said prior warnings and conditions were ignored when he reached his decision.[1]
The order gives Texas until the end of 2029 to install cooling across its prison system and marks a rare federal mandate on prison conditions in the state.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Tuesday, September 22, 2026, Judge Robert Pitman ordered Texas to fully air-condition its prisons by the end of 2029.
- Pitman found the lack of air conditioning in most Texas lockups violates the U.S. Constitution’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.
- The order says Texas prison officials have "failed to act with reasonable urgency or commitment" despite heat indexes exceeding 130 degrees and inmate illnesses and deaths.
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