Texas Prisons Face Lawsuit Over Lack of Air Conditioning
Introduction to the Problem
Two-thirds of state-run jails and prisons in Texas are not fully air-conditioned, including the Texas State Penitentiary in Huntsville. This has led to a lawsuit by inmates’ rights groups, who argue that the conditions are unconstitutional and dangerous for both inmates and staff. The lawsuit has uncovered a new internal investigation that shows some prison temperature logs were falsified.
Falsified Temperature Logs
The investigation, which focused on the Mark W. Stiles Unit in Beaumont, found that prison staff had "recreated" logs that were missing or had been defaced. Some temperatures logged by prison employees were far off the actual temperatures. For example, on July 31, 2022, the temperatures logged at the Stiles Unit were between 58 and 60 degrees, while the lowest actual recorded temperature for that day was 76 degrees.
Knowledge of Falsification
The warden and other prison leaders likely knew about or even consented to the falsification, the investigation concluded. The temperature readings taken at units are important because they help prison department leaders decide when to implement emergency protocols. If the temperature tops 90 degrees, for example, inmates should get access to fans, extra water, and cool showers.
The Lawsuit
The internal investigation was requested by the federal judge presiding over the case challenging conditions inside the state’s prisons. The plaintiffs, including Bernie Tiede, who is incarcerated, and several criminal justice advocacy groups, are seeking to have air conditioning installed in all state prisons. They argue that the conditions are unconstitutional and dangerous for both inmates and staff.
Background of the Case
Tiede’s case against the state dates back nearly two years, when he sued after saying he suffered a stroke in a prison cell that lacked air conditioning. The plaintiffs want the state to install air conditioning system-wide. They argue that the conditions are unconstitutional and dangerous for both inmates and staff. The heat is the fifth leading cause of serious injury among staff and may have contributed to the deaths of three inmates last summer.
Response from the Department of Criminal Justice
Department officials acknowledge that it is hot inside its prisons but deny that the conditions are unconstitutional. During testimony in the case last year, Department Executive Director Bryan Collier argued that it would be financially and logistically impossible to immediately install air conditioning in every one of the state’s prisons. He noted that he is working diligently to fix the problem within their fiscal constraints.
Conclusion
The lack of air conditioning in Texas prisons is a serious issue that puts the health and safety of inmates and staff at risk. The falsification of temperature logs is a disturbing revelation that suggests a lack of transparency and accountability within the prison system. The lawsuit and internal investigation are important steps towards addressing this issue and ensuring that the rights of inmates are protected. Ultimately, the state must take action to address the heat issue in its prisons and provide a safe and humane environment for all individuals in its care.
