Texas prisons must get air conditioning

A federal judge ordered the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to air-condition all state prisons by December 31, 2029. The ruling found that current conditions in uncooled facilities violate the Eighth Amendment's ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

Only one-third of Texas prisons are cooled

As of September 1, only slightly more than one-third of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's 104 facilities were fully air-conditioned. The agency estimated that fully cooling the system could cost approximately 1.5 billion dollars.

Legislature funded cooling incrementally

Texas lawmakers appropriated 85 million dollars in one legislative session and 118 million dollars in the next for air-conditioning installation. The agency pursued a phased expansion rather than a systemwide deadline until the court order.

Texas argued heat protections were sufficient

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice said it employed heat-sensitivity screenings, air-conditioned respite areas, cold showers, chilled water, fans, cooling towels and restrictions on outdoor activity during dangerous heat.

Judge found protections inadequate

Judge Robert Pitman ruled that the existing conditions and pace of improvements were constitutionally inadequate. Plaintiffs in the federal lawsuit argued that heat protections alone were not enough to prevent cruel and unusual punishment.

Andrew Tate claims no air conditioning

Andrew Tate, held at the Federal Detention Center in Miami while fighting extradition to the United Kingdom, alleged on social media that his cell lacks air conditioning and hot water and has a serious roach infestation.

“I no longer have hot water of any kind. I no longer have air conditioning of any kind.”

Tate claims roach infestation in cell

Tate alleged he could see 10 to 15 roaches on the walls and ceiling at a time and complained about cold food, sanitation and limited access to phone calls. Those allegations have not been independently verified.

Federal Bureau denies confirming details

The Federal Bureau of Prisons said it does not discuss individual inmates' confinement conditions for privacy and security reasons but said FDC Miami operates under applicable federal regulations, policies and procedures.

Prosecutors defend confinement conditions

Federal prosecutors argued in court that the Tate brothers' conditions of confinement are reasonable, constitutional and within the Bureau of Prisons' discretion. They wrote that while FDC Miami is not a luxury facility, the conditions remain lawful.

“While FDC Miami is not a Marriott, the TATES' conditions of confinement are reasonable, constitutional, and within BOP's discretion.”

Heat problem extends beyond Texas

Reuters found that nearly half of the state prisons examined across 29 states had either partial air conditioning or no air conditioning in housing units. Texas stood out because of the size of its prison system and the number of facilities without full cooling.

Federal and state systems operate separately

Federal detention facilities like FDC Miami operate under a separate system from state prisons, meaning Tate's allegations and the Texas ruling involve different agencies, legal standards and populations.

Inmates cannot escape the heat

Incarcerated people cannot simply leave overheated buildings or independently seek out cooler locations. That lack of control over exposure has been central to litigation challenging extreme prison temperatures.

Tate still fighting extradition

A federal magistrate judge denied bail on September 9 while Andrew and Tristan Tate contest extradition to the United Kingdom. The judge considered them flight risks because of their wealth and history of international travel.

Texas faces concrete deadline now

The court order replaces years of incremental expansion with a firm deadline. Texas must fully air-condition its prison system by the end of 2029, a significant shift from the phased approach the state had been pursuing.