Federal judge mandates $1.5 billion air conditioning overhaul for Texas prisons by 2029
U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman has ordered the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to install air conditioning in all 104 state prisons by December 31, 2029. The ruling follows a finding that extreme heat constitutes cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment. TDCJ estimates the project will cost $1.5 billion, though current legislative requests cover only a fraction of that amount. As of September 2026, only one-third of facilities are fully air conditioned, with 53,676 cool beds available. The judge rejected budgetary excuses, requiring TDCJ to submit progress reports every six months, starting in March 2027. Advocates view the order as a life-saving victory, while TDCJ has not yet commented on the ruling.