A federal judge has set a December 31, 2029, deadline for Texas prison cooling. U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman's September 22 order requires the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to begin planning and implementing air conditioning throughout its prisons immediately. It does not mean installation is complete.
The court found that conditions in uncooled prisons violate the Eighth Amendment's protection against cruel and unusual punishment. The ruling concerns the state prison system, not county jails.
Texas prison cooling faces a deadline and reporting duties
The first progress report is due March 22, 2027, followed by reports every six months. The plan must cover construction, procurement, design and legislative funding requests. Reports must explain delays and corrective steps. Pitman rejected financial constraints as an excuse for noncompliance, while leaving procurement methods to the agency and declining to appoint a special master now.
TDCJ said it would appeal, according to The Texas Tribune's reporting. The agency disputed the finding of deliberate indifference and defended its heat-mitigation measures. It said it expected 60,000 cooled beds by the end of this year and 90,000 in 2028. Those are agency forecasts, not verified completed installations.
The Texas prison cooling decision drew support from prisoner advocates. The Tribune reported that Marci Marie Simmons, communications director of plaintiff Lioness Justice Impacted Women's Alliance, welcomed the ruling and expected it to save lives. Texas Prison Community Advocates founder Amite Dominick emphasized making the agency meet the timeline and securing legislative funding. Their statements describe expectations and priorities, not measured outcomes.
What is already built
The agency's construction update, dated September 1, lists 53,676 cooled beds. It reports 38 units fully air conditioned and 53 partially air conditioned. A partially cooled unit is therefore a different measure from a fully cooled facility; counting either as complete would obscure the remaining Texas prison cooling work.
The same update separates 23,738 beds under construction, 7,348 in procurement and 9,356 in design. Those categories describe projects at different stages. They should not be added to the current cooled-bed count and presented as available housing.
For Texas prison cooling, TDCJ reports receiving $85 million in the 88th legislative session and $118 million in the 89th for installation. It separately lists $110 million for purchasing and operating the already cooled Dalby Unit and $301 million for 14 expansion dormitories with 5,600 cooled beds. These categories include acquisition, operations and new capacity; they are not all retrofit spending at existing prisons.
Measures during the construction period
The agency's published heat protocols describe seasonal procedures from April 15 through October 31. People are screened for medical conditions or medications that can increase heat sensitivity. Those with a heat-sensitivity score receive priority for air-conditioned housing, according to the policy.
Other Texas prison cooling measures include access to respite areas and cold showers, chilled drinking water, and permission to purchase fans and cooling towels. Fan programs for indigent prisoners operate on a first-come basis. Electrolyte powders are sold through commissaries. These distinctions matter: some listed provisions are access policies, while others involve purchases or allocation procedures.
The protocols also provide for water breaks during outdoor activities, maintenance of equipment including fans and ventilation systems, and staff training. Transport should occur during cooler parts of the day when possible, with monitoring and water available. These are the department's written requirements; the webpage does not independently demonstrate consistent implementation in every facility.
The Civic Wire has not verified a subsequent final judgment, filed appeal or stay. Our editorial standards distinguish documented decisions from claims and unresolved questions. The next evidence of Texas prison cooling progress will require checking actual installations against reported plans.