HOUSTON: As a scorching heat wave continues to engulf much of the southern United States, the lack of air conditioning in Texas prisons has created sweltering conditions for inmates. With temperatures exceeding 40ºC (104 Fahrenheit), prisoners are enduring oppressive heat inside their cells, exacerbating health risks and prompting concerns about inhumane treatment.
In facilities made of concrete, brick, and metal, industrial fans circulate warm air without providing significant relief. Many prisoners resort to desperate measures to cope, such as sabotaging toilets to overflow and wetting the floor to sleep on. Some even wet their clothes in an attempt to stay cool, according to accounts from convicts, former prisoners, and family members who spoke with AFP.
Joseph Martire, a prisoner at Estelle Prison in Huntsville, has experienced four heat-related health episodes in recent weeks. He described passing out and being denied medical attention, raising concerns about the response to emergencies in such extreme conditions. Fellow inmates often have to call for help when someone faints nearby, but staff shortages can result in delayed assistance.
Nine Inmates Died in Texas State Prison in June
Amid the heatwave, the Texas Tribune reported that at least nine individuals died in state prisons in June, potentially due to heart attacks or heat-related causes. However, Amanda Hernandez, spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), disputed the number, stating that the last heat-related death occurred in 2012. While the TDCJ acknowledged treating seven cases of individuals affected “beyond first aid” in June, it denied any fatalities. However, critics argue that heat stroke, which is highly correlated with cardiac arrest, may not be explicitly listed as a cause of death.
Inmates describe the conditions inside the prisons as unbearable, comparing them to being inside an oven. Despite the assertions by the TDCJ that inmates have access to ice, water, and air-conditioned rest areas when necessary, the accounts from prisoners and their families suggest otherwise. Concerns have been raised about the treatment of inmates and the lack of adequate measures to combat the extreme heat, particularly in older facilities.
Efforts to address the issue legislatively have faced obstacles, with bills proposing air conditioning in prisons failing to gain traction in the conservative-majority Texas Senate. Meanwhile, the state has allocated significant funds for air-cooled units in agricultural operations, but not for the well-being of incarcerated individuals.
