Texas Prisons Ordered to Install Air Conditioning by 2029
USA: A federal court has ordered Texas to install air conditioning across all state prisons by 31 December 2029, citing extreme heat as an unconstitutional condition. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice must immediately develop an installation plan and provide progress reports every six months. The project is estimated to cost around US$1.5 billion and require upgrades across more than 70 facilities, with only just over one third of the agency’s 104 facilities fully air conditioned as of September 2026. The court found that existing measures, including fans, hydration, cold showers and cooling areas, were insufficient to protect inmates from heat related health risks. Texas plans to appeal the ruling, which could affect the implementation timeline.
