# Texas Prison AC Order Costs $1.5 Billion, Will Be Appealed

> Federal judge orders Texas to install prison air conditioning by 2029, but state agency plans to appeal the $1.5 billion ruling.
- Title: Texas Prison AC Order Costs $1.5 Billion, Will Be Appealed
- Summary: Federal judge orders Texas to install prison air conditioning by 2029, but state agency plans to appeal the $1.5 billion ruling. Texas must install air…
- Keywords: texas, prison, air conditioning, federal court, texas department of criminal justice, texas prisons, constitutional rights, heat-related deaths, appeal, federal judge, texas prison system, eighth amendment
- Source: Dallas Express — https://dallasexpress.com/state/texas-prison-ac-order-estimated-at-1-5-billion-will-be-appealed
- Author: Dallas Express
- Published: 2026-09-23T19:56:31+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: texas, prison, air conditioning, federal court, texas department of criminal justice, texas prisons, constitutional rights, heat-related deaths, appeal, federal judge, texas prison system, eighth amendment
## Federal Ruling on Prison AC
A federal judge ordered Texas to install air conditioning in all prisons by 2029, ruling extreme heat violates constitutional protections.

> TDCJ has robust heat mitigation efforts in place to protect the safety of its population and staff.
## Texas Prison AC Cost Estimate
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice estimates systemwide air conditioning could cost $1.5 billion, but plans to appeal the ruling.
## Current AC Status
As of September 1, one-third of Texas prisons have air conditioning, with 60,000 cooled beds expected by year-end and 90,000 by 2028.
## Judge's Reasoning
Judge Pitman found Texas' existing heat measures insufficient, citing injuries, suffering, and deaths during extreme heat events.
## Previous Ruling
In 2025, Judge Pitman ruled extreme heat in Texas prisons was likely unconstitutional but did not immediately order air conditioning.
## TDCJ Appeal Plan
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice claims it has robust heat mitigation efforts, including cooled areas, water, and cooling towels.
## Funding Discrepancy
TDCJ's budget request for AC installations is $289 million for 2028-29, but the agency previously estimated $774.3 million for the same period.
## Key takeaway

Texas must install air conditioning in all prisons by 2029, but the state will appeal the court order.