Prison conditions
Heat in Georgia's prisons and what courts elsewhere have required
Heat conditions in Georgia prisons and what courts in other places have required.
Where this research is used
This page is a research collection: individual facts drawn from the sources listed further down, each traced to where it came from. A research topic brings many collections together into one overview of an issue. The facts on this page feed these 2 topics; open one to see how they fit with the rest of the evidence.
Facility Conditions & Infrastructure
Georgia's prison system is a physically failing estate: buildings averaging more than 30 years old, a maintenance record in which the state's own auditors found that funding availability — not need — drove repairs, and a documented pattern of doors that do not lock, plumbing that does not carry waste, and housing that does not cool. Two state-commissioned studies and a federal civil rights investigation agree on the diagnosis. They disagree sharply on how overcrowded the system actually is, because Georgia publishes at least four different capacity figures for the same prison. This page sets out what the record shows about the physical plant, what the state has committed to spend on it, and what remains undocumented.
12,892 data points
Legal Standards & Case Law
Georgia's prison-conditions litigation runs through a small set of Supreme Court and Eleventh Circuit decisions that set an unusually demanding bar: a plaintiff must prove both an objectively serious deprivation and that officials actually knew of and disregarded it. This page traces that doctrine from Estelle v. Gamble (1976) through Farmer v. Brennan (1994) and the Eleventh Circuit's 2024 en banc reset in Wade v. McDade, then sets it against Georgia's own record — Guthrie, Cason, the Gumm solitary-confinement settlement and its 2024 contempt finding, and the Justice Department's October 2024 conclusion that Georgia's prisons violate the Eighth Amendment. It closes with the people in GPS's death registry whose deaths sit directly on that doctrine.
11,676 data points
Key Findings
The most impactful data from this research collection. Tap a card for the full finding and its source.
The finding
SCHR reported that GDC documents from February 2024 showed only three of 35 prisons had air conditioning throughout the entirety of the prison.
The finding
With 53,676 cool beds available as of Sept. 1, nearly 90,000 incarcerated people in Texas prisons remained in sweltering conditions.
The finding
A Southern Center for Human Rights letter to GDC officials said temperatures at Valdosta State Prison can exceed 100 degrees with no air conditioning, and that cells are infested with mold and vermin.
The finding
A three-day heatwave was associated with a 7.4% increase in total mortality (95% CI: 1.6%, 14%) in U.S. state and private prisons, per the national case-crossover study.
The finding
In March 2025, a federal judge ruled that extreme heat in Texas prisons is 'plainly unconstitutional,' but declined to order immediate air conditioning, reasoning the work could not be completed within the court order's 90-day window and that temporary systems might delay a permanent fix.
The finding
Thomas Lee Rutledge, 44, died of hyperthermia on December 7, 2020, in the mental health ward at William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility in Bessemer, Alabama, according to a federal wrongful death lawsuit filed by his sister. He was found unresponsive with a body temperature of 109 degrees in a cell reported to be between 101 and 104 degrees, per the suit citing the Jefferson County Coroner's report.
The finding
GDC SOP 511.27 (Occupational Safety and Health/Rehabilitation) sets out a Heat Stress Index table: 90 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit is 'High' with heat cramps and heat exhaustion possible if exposure is prolonged with physical activity; 105 to 130 degrees is 'Extreme' with heat cramps or exhaustion likely and heat stroke possible; above 130 degrees is 'Mortal' with heat stroke imminent.
The finding
In the case-crossover study of 3464 deaths in Texas prisons, a 1-degree increase above 85°F heat index in prisons without air conditioning was associated with a 0.7% increase in the risk of daily mortality.
The finding
Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Ricky Dixon previously testified that roughly 75% of the state's prison housing units are not air-conditioned.
The finding
Juan Carlos Ramirez Bibiano died at Telfair State Prison on July 20, 2023, from a heart attack allegedly caused by heat exposure.
The finding
A 2022 study reported that approximately 13 percent of deaths in Texas prisons between 2001 and 2019 may be attributed to extreme heat days, with an average of 14 inmate deaths per year in facilities without air conditioning.
The finding
A federal judge ordered Texas to air condition all of the state's lockups, which the prison agency said could cost $1.5 billion, by the end of 2029.
The finding
A Texas Tribune analysis found that at least 41 incarcerated people died during a record-breaking heat wave in Texas prisons in 2023.
The finding
U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman found that conditions in Texas prisons without air conditioning violate the Eighth Amendment and that TDCJ's current response to extreme heat is insufficient, ordering the agency to implement a plan to add air conditioning in every Texas prison no later than Dec. 31, 2029.
All Data Points
170 verified data points extracted from primary sources.
Judge Jackson ruled against Angola Farm Line plaintiffs despite finding harsh heat conditions Legal fact
In a 60-page opinion, U.S. District Judge Brian Jackson ruled against the Angola Farm Line plaintiffs, stating his decision would have been different a few months earlier but a recent appeals court decision in a separate Angola civil rights case stayed his hand; he reluctantly found that Louisiana's Department of Public Safety and Corrections met the bar in the farm line case.
TDCJ cool beds available as of Sept. 1 Statistic
As of Sept. 1, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice reported that 53,676 cool beds were available in its prisons, leaving nearly 90,000 incarcerated people in sweltering conditions.
53,676 cool beds
Virginia bill to cap prison cell temperatures at 80 degrees vetoed by Gov. Youngkin Finding
Virginia lawmakers approved a bill that would have required the state corrections department to install heat and air conditioning in its prisons and ensure cell temperatures not exceed 80 degrees, but Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed it, citing installation cost and operational burdens.
Extreme heat day associated with 3.5% mortality increase in U.S. prisons Statistic
In a national case-crossover study of heat-related mortality in U.S. state and private prisons, an extreme heat day was associated with a 3.5% increase in total mortality (95% CI: -1.2%, 8.3%).
3.5%
Georgia rule requires heat-exhaustion vigilance in hot weather Legal fact
Georgia Board of Corrections Rule 125-3-5-.04 (Work Conditions) requires that during hot weather all Correctional Officers and Supervisory personnel be particularly alert to early detection of heat exhaustion symptoms and prevention of heat exhaustion cases, and that new inmates and others not acclimated to the environment receive particular attention from supervisory personnel.
Only 3 of 35 Georgia prisons fully air-conditioned (Feb 2024) Statistic
SCHR reported that GDC documents from February 2024 showed only three of 35 prisons had air conditioning throughout the entirety of the prison.
3 prisons vs. 35 total prisons
CDC/NIOSH recommends engineering and administrative controls for workplace heat Policy
CDC/NIOSH heat stress guidance for workplaces recommends employers reduce workplace heat stress using engineering and administrative (work practice) controls, including engineering controls that increase air velocity or use reflective or heat-absorbing shielding or barriers.
VOTE v. LeBlanc: court found dangerous heat but could not order fix due to Parker v. Hooper Legal fact
In the Angola 'farm line' case (VOTE v. LeBlanc), U.S. District Judge Brian Jackson ruled that prisoners face dangerously harsh conditions including laboring outdoors in extreme heat, but that he could not force the state to fix the problem because a recent Fifth Circuit ruling in Parker v. Hooper weakened the standard for proving cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment.
Nearly 90,000 Texas prisoners without cool beds Statistic
With 53,676 cool beds available as of Sept. 1, nearly 90,000 incarcerated people in Texas prisons remained in sweltering conditions.
90,000 people
Two-day heatwave associated with 5.5% mortality increase in U.S. prisons Statistic
A two-day heatwave was associated with a 5.5% increase in total mortality (95% CI: 0.3%, 11%) in U.S. state and private prisons, per the national case-crossover study.
5.5%
Valdosta State Prison temperatures can exceed 100 degrees without air conditioning Finding
A Southern Center for Human Rights letter to GDC officials said temperatures at Valdosta State Prison can exceed 100 degrees with no air conditioning, and that cells are infested with mold and vermin.
Fifth Circuit vacates Parker v. Hooper remedial order for PLRA narrowness failure Legal fact
In Parker v. Hooper (No. 23-30825), the Fifth Circuit sitting en banc held that the district court's Remedial Order must be vacated and remanded because it failed to apply the PLRA's needs-narrowness-intrusiveness standard.
Louisiana DOC heat policy revisions negated deliberate indifference finding Policy
In the Angola farm line litigation, the court found that the Louisiana Department of Corrections had revised its heat policy, added on-site weather monitoring systems, erected shade pavilions, and expanded access to water and breaks, which the judge said negated a finding of deliberate indifference under the post-Parker standard.
Tiede heat litigation first filed in 2023 Case detail
The complaint that became the Tiede heat litigation was first filed in 2023 by Bernie Tiede, a high-profile inmate who experienced a medical emergency as a result of extreme heat in his cell; prisoner rights advocates later joined it, a decade after the Cole v. Collier Wallace Pack Unit settlement.
Three-day heatwave associated with 7.4% mortality increase in U.S. prisons Statistic
A three-day heatwave was associated with a 7.4% increase in total mortality (95% CI: 1.6%, 14%) in U.S. state and private prisons, per the national case-crossover study.
7.4%
GDC policy requires annual heat education April 1 to September 30 Policy
GDC SOP 508.24 (Psychotropic Medication Use Management) requires heat education for offenders on psychotropic medication to be done each year from April 1 to September 30 using Attachment 4, M60-01-04.
Cole v. Collier: Fifth Circuit affirms denial of Meeks intervention Legal fact
The Fifth Circuit's per curiam unpublished decision in Cole v. Collier, No. 18-20402, affirmed the district court's denial of James Meeks's motion to intervene and dismissed for want of jurisdiction his challenge to the class settlement agreement, because Meeks was not a member of the class and the settlement agreement did not prohibit him from pursuing his own claims independently.
Louisiana DOC describes heat pathology safeguards for outdoor workers Policy
Louisiana's Department of Corrections said its heat pathology policies include required rest breaks and access to shade, fans, and water for people working outdoors, including on Angola's farm line, according to press secretary Falon Brown.
Judge Pitman finds Lumpkin deliberate indifference on prison AC Finding
Judge Pitman stated that TDCJ Executive Director Bobby Lumpkin's failure to enact a meaningful, committed plan to install air conditioning on the timeline TDCJ repeatedly indicated is possible was deliberate indifference in the face of clear evidence of risk, including ongoing injuries, deaths, and suffering every summer.
Federal judge rules Texas prison heat 'plainly unconstitutional' but declines immediate AC order Legal fact
In March 2025, a federal judge ruled that extreme heat in Texas prisons is 'plainly unconstitutional,' but declined to order immediate air conditioning, reasoning the work could not be completed within the court order's 90-day window and that temporary systems might delay a permanent fix.
10°F temperature increase associated with 5.2% mortality increase at lag 0 Statistic
At lag 0, a 10°F increase in temperature was associated with a 5.2% increase in total mortality (95% CI: 1.5%, 9.0%) in U.S. state and private prisons.
5.2%
GDC policy: psychotropic medications raise heatstroke and hyperthermia risk Policy
GDC SOP 508.24 states that offenders maintained on psychotropic medications may have increased sensitivity to sunlight and may be at higher risk of heat-induced syndromes, including heatstroke, hyperthermia, and heat exhaustion.
SCHR: 'ice calls' are inadequate temporary fix Finding
SCHR's statement said GDC's commonly proposed but inadequate temporary fix for heat is the practice of 'ice calls.'
DOJ found Alabama prison ventilation and electrical strains from overcrowding Finding
The DOJ's summary of its investigation into Alabama's men's prisons found strains on ventilation and electrical systems due to extreme overcrowding, which have led to unsanitary living conditions.
Gates v. Cook: Parchman death row lacked heat relief at 90+ heat index Legal fact
In Gates v. Cook, the trial court found that Mississippi death row inmates at Parchman's death row unit were not afforded extra showers, ice water, or fans (for those without fans) when the heat index was 90 or above.
Just over a third of TDCJ facilities fully air conditioned Statistic
Just over a third of TDCJ's 104 facilities were fully air conditioned as of Sept. 1.
104 facilities
Texas building 12,827 cool beds and procuring 7,162 more as of August 1 Statistic
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice, as of August 1, 2025, was building 12,827 'cool beds' (prison cells in air-conditioned units) and was in the process of procuring an additional 7,162, according to its dashboard.
12,827 cool beds vs. 7,162 additional cool beds being procured
PLOS One study lacked facility-level air conditioning data, likely underestimating heat effect Methodology note
The PLOS One national prison heat-mortality study notes that researchers did not have information about which prison facilities or units within facilities were air conditioned, which had been shown to be protective for heat-related health effects, so averaging effects for those with AC likely led to underestimating the true effect.
GDC policy requires sunscreen and 8-12 glasses of water counseling for psychotropic patients Policy
GDC SOP 508.24 requires offenders receiving psychotropic medication to be counseled on wearing protective clothing or sunscreen in direct sunlight and advised to drink eight to twelve glasses of water per day to avoid dehydration, with offenders on outside details possibly requiring more.
PPI: Georgia among 12 states lacking universal AC Finding
The Prison Policy Initiative identified 12 states in the South and Midwest, including Georgia, that lack universal air conditioning in prisons, with Georgia described as having air conditioning in most prisons but not all.
Thomas Lee Rutledge died of hyperthermia at 109-degree body temperature in Alabama cell Case detail
Thomas Lee Rutledge, 44, died of hyperthermia on December 7, 2020, in the mental health ward at William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility in Bessemer, Alabama, according to a federal wrongful death lawsuit filed by his sister. He was found unresponsive with a body temperature of 109 degrees in a cell reported to be between 101 and 104 degrees, per the suit citing the Jefferson County Coroner's report.
Gates v. Cook findings: Parchman death row not air-conditioned, ventilation inadequate Finding
Gates v. Cook's 'Heating and Cooling' findings describe Mississippi's Parchman death row as primarily not air-conditioned, with industrial fans in hallways and most inmates having smaller fans; keeping windows open for relief increased mosquito populations due to holes in screens. The court found ventilation inadequate for minimal comfort in summer, the probability of heat-related illness extreme on Death Row and dramatically more so for mentally ill inmates, and medications often interfere with body temperature regulation.
North Carolina air-conditioning status: 33 fully, 17 partially, 4 none of 54 prisons Statistic
In North Carolina, corrections officials are working toward a goal of installing air conditioning in all 54 state prisons by 2026. To date, 33 facilities are fully air-conditioned, 17 are partially air-conditioned, and four have no air conditioning, according to its dashboard.
33 facilities fully air-conditioned vs. 54 total state prisons targeted by 2026
Ball v. LeBlanc: court ordered Angola death row heat index at or below 88°F Legal fact
On December 19, 2013, the Ball v. LeBlanc district court (Judge Brian A. Jackson) ordered defendants to immediately develop a plan to reduce and maintain the heat index in the Angola death row tiers at or below 88 degrees Fahrenheit.
GDC policy requires temperature logging above 85°F in restrictive housing Policy
GDC SOP 508.24 requires that if an offender on psychotropic medication is in lockdown, SLU, ACU, or CSU, the confinement building temperature be monitored during periods when ambient interior temperature exceeds 85 degrees Fahrenheit, with multi-tier and multistory units logged at each floor level, documented by security once every 6 hours during daylight hours between April 1 and September 30 annually.
AJC: heat in non-AC prisons contributed to dangerous climate Finding
The AJC article cited by Prison Policy Initiative reported that heat in prisons without air conditioning was among the factors contributing to the dangerous climate inside the state's prisons.
Alabama lawsuit: mental health ward excluded from HVAC renovation; thermostatic controls damaged Case detail
The lawsuit over Thomas Lee Rutledge's death alleged that the Donaldson facility had a new air conditioning system and controls installed in 2019 and 2020, but T Unit, the mental health ward where Rutledge was held, was not included in the project. During the renovations, HVAC company P&M Mechanical and its subcontractors allegedly negligently or wantonly damaged or destroyed the thermostatic controls for T Unit.
Gates v. Cook underlying district court decision cited as Russell v. Johnson Legal fact
Gates v. Cook cites the underlying district court decision as Russell v. Johnson, 2003 WL 22208029 (N.D. Miss. 2003).
Texas bill would have required climate control in all TDCJ facilities by end of 2032 Finding
A Texas legislative bill considered in 2025 would have required the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to purchase and install climate control systems in all of its facilities by the end of 2032.
Special Master found unremediated Angola death row tiers at 88–103°F June–September Finding
A June 4, 2018 Special Master status report found that unremediated areas in the Angola death row tiers were excessively hot, ranging from 88 to 103 degrees Fahrenheit almost every day in June through September.
GDC policy mitigation measures when housing exceeds 85°F Policy
GDC SOP 508.24 requires that if offender housing areas for psychotropic-medication offenders in lockdown/SLU/ACU/CSU exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit, measures be instituted: increased ventilation through fans to reduce room temperature below 85 degrees, increased fluids and ice, additional showers for cooling, and recommendation to the warden for temporary transfer to a more compatible area.
PREA audit: Mitchell CCI dorms air-conditioned Finding
A PREA audit of Mitchell County Correctional Institute found the dorms were well illuminated and equipped with air conditioning.
June 2010 settlement closed Parchman Unit 32 supermax Legal fact
A settlement agreement was reached in June 2010 to close the Unit 32 supermax unit at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman, providing for the dismissal of a lawsuit that challenged conditions there.
TDCJ request adds more than 15,700 air-conditioned beds Statistic
TDCJ's $298 million two-year budget request would add more than 15,700 air-conditioned beds.
15,700 beds
Climate change puts 2 million incarcerated people at risk of hazardous heat Finding
Climate change is predicted to increase the frequency of potentially hazardous heat conditions across the United States, putting the incarcerated population of 2 million at risk for heat-related health conditions.
Ball v. LeBlanc settled; conditional dismissal November 2018 Case detail
The plaintiffs in Ball v. LeBlanc withdrew their motion for attorney's fees on August 15, 2018, and after reaching a settlement agreement the parties filed a joint motion for conditional dismissal on November 5, 2018, with plaintiffs dismissing their pending certiorari petition in the Supreme Court.
GDC Heat Stress Index: 90-105°F High, 105-130°F Extreme, above 130°F Mortal Policy
GDC SOP 511.27 (Occupational Safety and Health/Rehabilitation) sets out a Heat Stress Index table: 90 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit is 'High' with heat cramps and heat exhaustion possible if exposure is prolonged with physical activity; 105 to 130 degrees is 'Extreme' with heat cramps or exhaustion likely and heat stroke possible; above 130 degrees is 'Mortal' with heat stroke imminent.
FY2026 budget: $2,601,532 for HVAC 'tiger teams' Statistic
Georgia's FY2026 budget recommendation for the Department of Corrections' State Prisons program included $2,601,532 to increase funds for skilled craftsman 'tiger teams' focused on HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and fabrication needs in facilities.
$2.6M USD
Prison Policy Initiative 2019: 13 states including Georgia lack integrated central air conditioning in prisons Statistic
According to a policy brief published by the Prison Policy Initiative in 2019, 13 states, including Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Georgia, do not have integrated central air conditioning within their prison facilities.
13 states
At least 44 states lack universal prison air conditioning (2022 USA Today analysis) Statistic
At least 44 states lack universal air conditioning within their prison facilities, even in regions known for sweltering summer temperatures, according to a 2022 USA Today analysis; a Reuters investigation found that nearly half of state prisons across 29 states have partial or no air conditioning.
44 states
Nearly two-thirds of Texas' 104 prisons not fully air conditioned Statistic
Nearly two-thirds of Texas' 104 prisons are not fully air conditioned, and TDCJ's $298 million request puts it far behind its own outlined phase-one schedule, signaling to inmate advocates that the agency is still not treating extreme prison heat as an emergency.
104 prisons
Ball v. LeBlanc: Third Plan triggered when heat index exceeded 88°F Legal fact
On December 22, 2016, the Ball v. LeBlanc district court ordered defendants to implement remedial measures described as the 'Third Plan' whenever the heat index exceeded 88 degrees in the plaintiffs' death row tiers; defendants appealed, arguing the district court violated the Fifth Circuit's July 8, 2015 judgment.
GDC SOP 511.27: heat index above 95°F triggers rehabilitation sector Policy
GDC SOP 511.27 states that climatic or environmental conditions indicating the need to establish a firefighter rehabilitation sector include a heat index above 95 degrees.
AFY2025 budget: $651,822 for HVAC 'tiger teams' Statistic
Georgia's AFY2025 budget recommendation for the Department of Corrections' State Prisons program included $651,822 to provide funds for skilled craftsman 'tiger teams' focused on HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and fabrication needs in facilities.
$651,822 USD
Chandler v. Crosby: Eleventh Circuit rejected Florida heat Eighth Amendment claim Legal fact
In Chandler v. Crosby, a 2000 lawsuit filed by Florida death row inmates, the Eleventh Circuit three-judge panel rejected claims that high temperatures in Florida prisons amounted to cruel and unusual punishment, writing that the heat was 'not unconstitutionally excessive' and noting the district court found the building mass remained at a relatively constant temperature between approximately eighty degrees at night and approximately eighty-five or eighty-six degrees during the day.
North Carolina prison AC status: 33 full, 17 partial, 4 none of 54 Statistic
In North Carolina, corrections officials are working toward installing air conditioning in all 54 state prisons by 2026; to date 33 facilities are fully air-conditioned, 17 are partially air-conditioned, and four have no air conditioning, according to its dashboard.
54 prisons
Tiede lawsuit alleges at least 10 heat-related deaths 2023-2025 Statistic
The Tiede lawsuit alleged that at least 10 inmates died from heat-related reasons in the summers between 2023 and 2025; TDCJ disputes this figure, attributing some deaths to drug overdoses or other medical conditions.
10 deaths
915,627 people (45% of incarcerated population) in 1,739 facilities with rising hazardous-heat days Statistic
In 2018, 915,627 people in the United States, 45% of the estimated total incarcerated population, were housed in 1,739 carceral facilities with an annual increase in the number of days per year WBGT max exceeded 28°C during 1982-2020.
915,627 people vs. 45 percent of estimated total incarcerated population
Fifth Circuit held heat index portion of Third Plan violated prior judgment Legal fact
The Fifth Circuit held that the 'heat index' part of the Third Plan in Ball v. LeBlanc violated the Fifth Circuit's prior judgment.
GDC 'Heat Intolerance' medical restriction for sun/heat-sensitive conditions and medications Policy
GDC SOP 507.04.23 (Medical Classification and Profiling) lists a 'Heat Intolerance' medical restriction for medical conditions (cardiac, pulmonary, metabolic) or medications (psychotropic, sulfonamides, etc.) with sun/exposure or heat-related side effects warranting work detail restrictions, and states the offender may require sunscreen or access to fluids while receiving these medications.
FY2026 budget: $1,022,013 for lock-repair 'tiger team' Statistic
A Georgia General Assembly House budget document for the FY2026 general budget bill includes a separate $1,022,013 state general funds line to increase funds for a 'tiger team' to support the existing Georgia Department of Corrections locking team to address repairs needed on facility locks, locking controls, and security electronics.
$1.0M USD
Alabama DOC says facilities have some conditioned areas and use industrial fans elsewhere Policy
The Alabama Department of Corrections stated that all of its facilities have some areas with heat and air conditioning, and that large industrial fans are used in areas without air conditioning. ADOC said new correctional facilities will have conditioned air meeting American Corrections Association comfort zone standards.
Texas study: 271 deaths (13% of mortality) attributable to extreme heat, 2001-2019 Statistic
A case-crossover study found that 13% of mortality, or 271 deaths, may be attributed to extreme heat during warm months in Texas prisons without universal air conditioning between 2001 and 2019.
271 deaths vs. 13 percent of mortality
Southern U.S. facilities with rapid heat-exposure increase are mostly in states without mandatory AC Finding
The majority of carceral facilities in the southern United States that have experienced a rapid increase in potentially hazardous heat exposure since the 1980s are located in states that do not have mandatory air conditioning access for state-run institutions.
Webb/Togonidze arose from heat deaths of five TDCJ prisoners in 2011–2012 Case detail
Webb v. Livingston (consolidated with Togonidze and Adams, with Webb as lead case) arose from the heat-related deaths of five prisoners, Robert Allen Webb, Alexander Togonidze, Rodney Adams, Kenneth Wayne James, and Douglas Hudson, who died while housed in TDCJ facilities during the summers of 2011 and 2012.
GDC boot camp policy notes heat restrictions for lithium and antipsychotics Policy
GDC SOP 210.02 (Inmate Boot Camp - Classification and Assignment) notes that boot camp programming will be individualized given an inmate's treatment habilitation plan and medication restrictions, giving as an example heat restrictions for lithium and antipsychotics.
10-degree temperature rise linked to 6.7% increase in heart disease deaths among incarcerated people Statistic
A study of prison mortality data between 2001 and 2019 published in March in the Public Library of Science found that a 10-degree increase in temperature leads to an average 6.7% increase in deaths from heart disease for incarcerated people.
6.7% vs. 10 degrees temperature increase
Each 1°F above 85°F heat index raised daily mortality risk 0.7% in non-AC Texas prisons Statistic
In the case-crossover study of 3464 deaths in Texas prisons, a 1-degree increase above 85°F heat index in prisons without air conditioning was associated with a 0.7% increase in the risk of daily mortality.
0.7%
Valdosta State Prison cells regularly exceeded 100 degrees with no cooling Finding
The Southern Center for Human Rights' review found that people at Valdosta State Prison lived in a cell where the temperature regularly exceeded 100 degrees, yet no air conditioning or other cooling mechanisms were available.
Fifth Circuit dismissed TDCJ executives' interlocutory immunity appeal in Webb/Togonidze Legal fact
In the Webb/Togonidze appeal, the Fifth Circuit held it lacked jurisdiction over the TDCJ executives' interlocutory appeal of the district court's order deferring the qualified-immunity ruling and ordering limited discovery, and dismissed the appeal.
GDC design standards: thermostats set at 68-78°F Policy
GDC SOP 410.06 (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Design Standards) requires mechanical systems be designed to provide temperatures in indoor living and work areas appropriate to summer and winter comfort zones, and that thermostats in areas with HVAC systems be set at 68-78 degrees Fahrenheit.
Suicide deaths rose 22% for up to three days after a single extreme heat day in prisons Statistic
According to the same prison mortality study, suicide deaths increased an average of 22% for up to three days after incarcerated people endured a single day of extremely high temperatures.
22%
Texas warm-month deaths: 2083 in non-AC prisons vs 1381 in AC prisons, 2001-2019 Statistic
There were 2083 deaths in Texas prisons without air conditioning and 1381 deaths in Texas prisons with air conditioning during warm months from 2001 to 2019.
2,083 deaths vs. 1,381 deaths in prisons with AC
Texas bills requiring climate-controlled prisons repeatedly failed Finding
Bills to require climate-controlled state prisons have repeatedly failed at the Texas Legislature, which also declined to tap billions of dollars in budget surpluses in recent sessions to retrofit units with air conditioning.
Chandler v. Crosby: Eighth Amendment heat claim requires unreasonable risk of serious damage Legal fact
In Chandler v. Crosby, the Eleventh Circuit held that to satisfy the objective component of an Eighth Amendment conditions-of-confinement claim regarding prison heat, a prisoner must show that the condition poses an unreasonable risk of serious damage to his future health or safety, and that extreme deprivations are required.
Fifth Circuit: right to be free from extreme temperatures clearly established in 2011 Legal fact
The Fifth Circuit in Webb/Togonidze held that a prisoner's right to be free from extreme temperatures was clearly established in 2011.
GDC ventilation minimums: 15 cfm post-1990, 10 cfm pre-1990 Policy
GDC SOP 410.06 requires that for new construction or renovation after January 1, 1990, mechanical systems provide circulation of at least 15 cubic feet of outside or recirculated filtered air per minute per occupant for cells/rooms, officer stations, and dining areas; for existing construction completed before January 1, 1990, at least 10 cubic feet per minute per occupant.
Florida DOC Secretary testified roughly 75% of prison housing units lack air conditioning Statistic
Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Ricky Dixon previously testified that roughly 75% of the state's prison housing units are not air-conditioned.
75%
Chandler v. Crosby: cooling and ventilation are interrelated for Eighth Amendment purposes Legal fact
In Chandler v. Crosby, the Eleventh Circuit held that cooling and ventilation, though distinct prison conditions, are interrelated and in most excessive-heat cases will be almost inseparable for Eighth Amendment purposes.
Rutledge v. Sansing summary judgment rulings Legal fact
In Rutledge v. Sansing, the court granted the Correctional Wardens' motion for summary judgment and Billy Kennedy's motion for summary judgment, but denied the Correctional Officers' motion for summary judgment and Kristi Sansing's motion for summary judgment, dismissing the claims against Kennedy, Warden Morgan, and Warden Peters with prejudice.
GDC design standards: shower water 100-120°F Policy
GDC SOP 410.06 requires shower water be thermostatically controlled to temperatures ranging from 100 degrees to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure offender safety and promote hygienic practices.
New state prison to replace Washington State Prison planned Policy
GDC's Board of Corrections was told that a new state prison to replace Washington State Prison was planned with an estimated construction start in Summer 2026.
DOJ: Calhoun death from dehydration after water shut off Case detail
DOJ's CRIPA report on Georgia prisons found that an incarcerated person at Calhoun State Prison died of dehydration with renal failure after staff shut off the water supply to his cell, closed the cell flap, and did not deliver meals to him.
Florida Justice Institute 2024 suit alleges Dade CI heat contributed to inmate deaths Legal fact
In late 2024, the Florida Justice Institute filed a federal lawsuit alleging that conditions at Dade Correctional Institution contributed to the deaths of multiple inmates and exposed others, particularly elderly and medically vulnerable people, to unconstitutional heat. The suit argues the lack of air conditioning and insufficient ventilation violate the Eighth Amendment, the ADA, and the Rehabilitation Act.
Texas regulates jail internal temperature to 65-85°F Legal fact
Texas regulates the internal temperature of jails to stay between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ball v. LeBlanc conditionally dismissed and placed on inactive docket April 2019 Legal fact
The district court in Ball v. LeBlanc ordered the case conditionally dismissed and placed on the inactive docket pending the defendants' substantial compliance with the settlement agreement, by order signed April 18, 2019 (Judge Brian A. Jackson).
GDC mental health records policy references 'heat plan' under SOP 508.24 Policy
GDC SOP 508.10 (Confidentiality of Mental Health Records) identifies access to mental health information for non-mental health personnel as necessary for ensuring compliance with the 'heat plan' per SOP 508.24 Psychotropic Medication Use Management.
Ramirez Bibiano died after 5 hours in outdoor cell without water Case detail
Juan Carlos Ramirez Bibiano died of heart and lung failure after officers left him in an outdoor cell in the summer heat for five hours without water or ice, according to his family.
DeSantis vetoed Florida prison air conditioning pilot funding in 2025 Policy
Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed the Florida prison air conditioning pilot program funding in 2025.
Texas state prisons hold approximately 160,000 people Statistic
The study's findings have implications for the approximately 160,000 individuals held in Texas state prisons.
160,000 people
Chandler v. Crosby: prisoner may claim deficiency in cooling, ventilation, or both Legal fact
In Chandler v. Crosby, the Eleventh Circuit held that although cooling and ventilation are distinct prison conditions, they are interrelated and a prisoner may state an Eighth Amendment claim alleging a deficiency as to either or both in combination.
Bibiano v. Garrett dismissed with prejudice March 2026 Legal fact
The Bibiano v. Garrett case was dismissed with prejudice by order signed March 23, 2026 (Judge Dudley H. Bowen), with each party to bear its own costs.
Eleventh Circuit's Chandler v. Crosby set 'high bar' for prison heat claims Legal fact
An N.D. Georgia order in Jenkins v. DeKalb County (2007-11-16) cited Chandler v. Crosby, 379 F.3d 1278, 1298 (11th Cir. 2004), as an example of the 'high bar' for demonstrating a substantial risk of serious injury in Eleventh Circuit Eighth Amendment conditions-of-confinement cases, noting the holding that allegations of extreme summer heat in prison failed to meet that bar.
GDC declines comment on Ramirez Bibiano lawsuit Quote
The Georgia Department of Corrections responded to a request for comment on the Ramirez Bibiano lawsuit by saying they do not comment on pending litigation.
Federal judge certified class of more than 1,500 Florida inmates in heat suit Legal fact
In September, a federal judge certified a class action allowing more than 1,500 inmates to collectively challenge Florida prison heat conditions they say increase the risk of illness and death.
Albert Hinojosa died of heatstroke complications at Garza West Unit, August 29, 2012 Case detail
Albert Hinojosa died of complications from heatstroke on August 29, 2012 while incarcerated at the Garza West Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Valdosta State Prison commissary fans did not work Finding
The SCHR letter said some men at Valdosta State Prison had access to fans from the prison commissary, but the fans did not work.
Source
SCHR: Valdosta State Prison cells regularly exceeded 100°F without cooling Finding
The Southern Center for Human Rights' investigation found that an inordinate number of people at Valdosta State Prison have experienced living in a cell where the temperature regularly exceeded 100 degrees, with no air conditioning or other cooling mechanisms available.
Ramirez Bibiano allegedly left in outdoor cell five hours; heat index 105°F Case detail
The complaint in the Ramirez Bibiano case says he was left in an outdoor cell for five hours before receiving medical attention, and the heat index is said to have reached 105 degrees by that time; he was found naked and in dire physical condition.
O.C.G.A. § 15-12-78: grand juries must recommend jail heating/ventilation Legal fact
O.C.G.A. § 15-12-78 requires county grand juries, on inspecting county jails, to make recommendations necessary to provide for the proper heating and ventilation of the jails, which the county governing authorities must strictly enforce.
Florida approved $300,000 pilot for AC in dorms at three Miami-Dade facilities Statistic
Florida lawmakers approved $300,000 for a pilot program to install air conditioning units in dorms at three Miami-Dade correctional facilities.
$300,000
Fifth Circuit dismissed Hinojosa interlocutory appeal for lack of jurisdiction Legal fact
In Hinojosa v. Livingston, the Fifth Circuit held it lacked jurisdiction over the interlocutory appeal and dismissed it, because the district court's order deferring its qualified-immunity ruling and ordering limited discovery complied with circuit precedent.
More than two-thirds of Texas' 100 prisons lack AC in most living areas Statistic
More than two-thirds of Texas' 100 prisons do not have air conditioning in most living areas, forcing thousands of prison officers and tens of thousands of prisoners to work and live in sweltering conditions.
100 prisons
Valdosta State Prison men reported felt-heat values of 100 degrees or more across housing units Finding
The SCHR letter said multiple men across a range of housing units at Valdosta State Prison reported living in cells with felt-heat values of 100 degrees or more during periods of extreme heat in the summer.
Source
Warden warned Telfair staff about heat on morning of Ramirez Bibiano death Case detail
According to the complaint filed in Telfair Superior Court, prison staff at Telfair State Prison were warned by Warden Andrew McFarlane that morning about the heat and told not to leave inmates outside too long, or without water, and to conduct frequent ice calls.
Extreme Temperatures Injustice in Prisons Act introduced (H.R. 9591) Legal fact
The Extreme Temperatures Injustice in Prisons Act was introduced by Ms. Adams for herself and cosponsors including Mrs. McBath and Mr. Johnson of Georgia, and was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
ACA standard 5-ACI-2D-10 requires temperatures in summer and winter comfort zones Policy
The American Correctional Association's Performance-Based Standards, 5th edition, standard 5-ACI-2D-10, states that temperatures in indoor living and work areas are appropriate to the summer and winter comfort zones.
Hinojosa complaint alleged 13 other heat-related deaths in TDCJ prisons from 2007 to 2012 Statistic
The Hinojosa complaint alleged that from 2007 until Hinojosa's death, thirteen other men had died from heat-related causes in TDCJ prisons.
13 deaths
2012 Wallace Pack Unit heat lawsuit filed Case detail
In 2012, attorney Scott Medlock and others filed a lawsuit against TDCJ on behalf of inmates at the Wallace Pack Unit prison in Navasota, about an hour outside Houston, claiming that extreme heat in prison cells violated inmates' constitutional rights.
National Weather Service extreme heat warning for Lowndes County: heat indexes 113-118 degrees Statistic
The SCHR letter cited the National Weather Service issuing an extreme heat warning for Lowndes County, where Valdosta State Prison is located, noting that heat indexes could reach between 113 and 118 degrees.
113 degrees Fahrenheit (heat index low) vs. 118 degrees Fahrenheit (heat index high)
Source
Fifth Circuit affirmed Eighth Amendment violation in Ball v. LeBlanc but found PLRA overreach Legal fact
In Ball v. LeBlanc, a Fifth Circuit panel held that an Eighth Amendment violation had occurred regarding death row inmates housed in cells without air conditioning and that injunctive relief was appropriate, but that the district court had exceeded the bounds of the Prison Litigation Reform Act and Gates v. Cook, 376 F.3d 323, 339–40.
Bill would fund climate control in all federal prisons within 5 years Legal fact
The Extreme Temperatures Injustice in Prisons Act will authorize funding for climate control system installation and upgrades in all federal prisons within five years, with temperature monitors in every cell and workspace.
ACA comment: temperature should be mechanically adjustable to comfort level Policy
The ACA 5th edition standards comment on the temperature standard states that temperature should be capable of being mechanically raised or lowered to an acceptable comfort level.
Cole v. Collier (filed 2014) cited nearly two dozen heat-stroke deaths over two decades Legal fact
The Cole v. Collier lawsuit, filed in 2014, cited nearly two dozen prisoners who died from heat stroke in the prior two decades and temperatures at the Wallace Pack Unit that routinely exceeded safe levels.
More than two-thirds of Texas prison cells lack air conditioning Statistic
More than two-thirds of prison cells in Texas lack air conditioning.
Valdosta State Prison had no air conditioning and ice distributed no more than once per day in summer 2026 Finding
The SCHR letter said men at Valdosta State Prison had no air conditioning and limited access to ice, which during the summer of 2026 was reportedly distributed no more than once per day.
Source
As of 2015, 22 states lacked prison temperature-regulation policies Statistic
As of 2015, 22 states lacked policies on temperature regulation in prison facilities; of the 28 states with policies, only 17 states specified allowable temperature ranges, and even fewer specified how these ranges would be enforced.
22 states without temperature policies vs. 17 states specifying allowable temperature ranges
Juan Carlos Ramirez Bibiano died at Telfair State Prison July 20, 2023 Case detail
Juan Carlos Ramirez Bibiano died at Telfair State Prison on July 20, 2023, from a heart attack allegedly caused by heat exposure.
BOP: 122 facilities, 138,000 incarcerated, 34,000 staff Statistic
Across all 122 BOP facilities, there are more than 138,000 incarcerated people and roughly 34,000 BOP employees who live and work in these conditions every day.
122 facilities vs. 138,000 incarcerated people
Ball v. LeBlanc: Fifth Circuit affirmed Eighth Amendment violation for Louisiana death row heat Legal fact
In Ball v. LeBlanc, the Fifth Circuit affirmed that housing Louisiana death row prisoners in very hot cells without sufficient access to heat-relief measures, while knowing each suffers from conditions rendering him extremely vulnerable to serious heat-related injury, violates the Eighth Amendment.
At least 23 Texas prisoners died from excessive heat, 1998-2014 Statistic
Between 1998 and 2014, at least 23 Texas prisoners died due to excessive heat in housing units and transport buses, and most Texas state prisons are not air conditioned.
23 deaths
JAMA study: 0.7% mortality increase per degree above 85°F without AC Finding
A JAMA Network Open case-crossover study of 3,464 deaths in Texas prisons found that a 1-degree increase above 85°F in prisons without air conditioning was associated with a 0.7% increase in the risk of daily mortality.
Westlaw search returned over 1,200 Eighth Amendment temperature cases, 1980–2019 Statistic
The AJPH editorial's Westlaw search of Eighth Amendment temperature-condition cases from 1980 to 2019 returned more than 1,200 cases; a random sample of 100 covered 29 states, with the majority occurring after the year 2000 (75%).
1,200 cases vs. 75 percent of sampled cases after 2000
Ramirez Bibiano was 27 when he allegedly died from heat exposure Case detail
Juan Carlos Ramirez Bibiano was 27 years old when he allegedly died from heat exposure while incarcerated by the Georgia Department of Corrections.
No national statistics on heat-related prison deaths Data gap
The GAO request letter from Reps. Adams and McBath states that while no national statistics are available on heat-related deaths or illnesses in prisons, a 2022 study reported that approximately 13 percent of deaths in Texas prisons between 2001 and 2019 may be attributed to extreme heat days, with an average of 14 inmate deaths per year in facilities without air conditioning.
Ball v. LeBlanc: PLRA does not entitle plaintiffs to most effective remedy, so AC injunction rejected Legal fact
The Fifth Circuit held that the district court's injunction in Ball v. LeBlanc violated the Prison Litigation Reform Act because it ordered air conditioning, a type of relief unnecessary to correct the Eighth Amendment violation; under the PLRA, plaintiffs are entitled to a remedy that eliminates the constitutional injury, not the most effective available remedy.
Cole v. Collier cost Texas over $7 million in litigation; AC cost estimates ranged from $20M to $450K Case detail
The Cole v. Collier litigation cost the state over $7 million in litigation expenses; during the case a TDCJ expert falsely testified in 2017 that air conditioning the Wallace Pack Unit would cost $20 million, while plaintiffs' experts presented a $450,000 estimate.
About 13% of warm-month Texas prison deaths attributable to extreme heat Statistic
Approximately 13% of deaths in Texas prisons during warm months between 2001 and 2019 may be attributable to extreme heat days, per the JAMA Network Open case-crossover study.
13%
OSHA recommended indoor comfort range 68-76°F with 20-60% humidity; no strict legal temperature standard for offices Policy
OSHA's recommended indoor comfort range for temperature is 68°F-76°F with 20%-60% humidity, and no strict legal temperature standard exists for offices because OSHA focuses on recognized hazards.
AJPH sample: heat cases involved >100°F, broken AC, sealed windows, transport without AC Finding
In the AJPH sample of heat-related Eighth Amendment cases, plaintiffs gave examples of temperatures exceeding 100°F, broken or lack of air conditioning, sealed windows, faulty ventilation systems, and limited cooling resources such as water and access to fans; in four cases plaintiffs were exposed to extreme heat while being transported in vehicles without air conditioning or open windows.
Georgia among a dozen Southern/Southwestern states without fully climate-controlled prisons Finding
Only a quarter of Georgia's prisons are fully air conditioned, making Georgia one of a dozen states across the South and Southwest with less-than-fully climate-controlled prison systems.
Texas study: ~13% of prison deaths linked to extreme heat Statistic
A 2022 study reported that approximately 13 percent of deaths in Texas prisons between 2001 and 2019 may be attributed to extreme heat days, with an average of 14 inmate deaths per year in facilities without air conditioning.
13% vs. 14 average deaths per year in facilities without AC
Ball v. LeBlanc: facility-wide injunction overbroad; relief could target three plaintiffs Legal fact
The Fifth Circuit in Ball v. LeBlanc found the district court's facility-wide injunction overbroad because it would be possible to provide relief, including air conditioning, solely to the three individual plaintiffs rather than throughout death row; defendants acknowledged plaintiffs could be placed in cells next to the officers' pod, which are cooler.
Blackmon v. Garza: Fifth Circuit reversed judgment for officials and remanded for new trial on heat deliberate indifference Legal fact
In Blackmon v. Garza (Warden Kukua), the Fifth Circuit reversed a district court's judgment as a matter of law for prison officials and remanded for a new trial, holding a reasonable jury could find deliberate indifference to heat conditions at the Garza East Unit.
Almost 90% of state prison deaths illness-related; cancer 30%, heart disease 26% Statistic
Almost 90% of deaths in state prison facilities are illness related, with the two leading reported causes being cancer (30%) and heart disease (26%), both of which are affected by extreme temperature exposure, per the AJPH editorial.
90% vs. 30 percent cancer
Most Georgia prisons only partially cooled, sometimes a single dormitory Finding
Most Georgia prisons are only partially cooled, which sometimes means cooling in a single dormitory, according to Georgia Public Broadcasting.
1,700 at MDC Brooklyn endured sub-freezing temperatures in 2019 Case detail
In 2019, more than 1,700 incarcerated individuals at MDC Brooklyn endured sub-freezing temperatures, which led to legal actions being filed against the Bureau of Prisons.
Fifth Circuit limited Angola Farm Line heat order to named plaintiffs Legal fact
The Fifth Circuit in the Farm Line case found that the last three parts of Judge Jackson's five-part order went too far because they focused on all Louisiana DOC prisoners rather than just the Farm Line plaintiffs, granting relief beyond the parties in the case.
Texas announced $2 million AC installation at Hodge Unit (elderly/medical prisoners), August 2018 Policy
In August 2018, Texas prison officials announced they would install air conditioning at the Hodge Unit, which houses prisoners who are elderly or have medical conditions, at an expected cost of $2 million.
Texas jail temperature standard 65-85°F does not apply to state prisons Legal fact
Texas regulates the internal temperature of jails to stay between 65 and 85°F, but these same standards do not apply to Texas state and private prisons.
No heat-related matches in Alabama Appleseed DOJ ADOC report summary Data gap
A search of the Alabama Appleseed summary of the DOJ ADOC report (retrieved 2026-10-20) for 'heat index', 'air conditioning', 'excessive heat', 'hot bay' and 'heat-related' returned no match.
Phillips State Prison was one of two Georgia prisons with no air conditioning Finding
Phillips State Prison outside Buford, Georgia, was one of two prisons in the Georgia system with no air-conditioning at all, according to Georgia Public Broadcasting.
BOP manual: HVAC systems must meet applicable codes Policy
BOP's Facilities Operations Manual requires that all Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and refrigeration systems be sized and installed in accordance with applicable codes as approved by the Chief, Construction and Environmental Review Section, FMB.
Fifth Circuit ordered Louisiana DOC to fix heat policy deficiencies for Farm Line workers Legal fact
The Fifth Circuit told the Louisiana Department of Corrections it must comply with the district court's earlier order to correct deficiencies in its heat-related policies for Angola Farm Line workers, finding that working long hours in the summer sun without shade, sufficient rest, or adequate protective equipment poses serious health risks.
Bernhardt Tiede II filed complaint in Texas Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants v. Lumpkin Case detail
Bernhardt Tiede, II filed the complaint in the case now docketed as Texas Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants, Inc. v. Lumpkin in the Western District of Texas, assigned to Judge Robert Pitman.
Washington State Prison was one of two Georgia prisons completely without air conditioning Finding
Washington State Prison in Davisboro was one of two prisons in Georgia completely without air conditioning, according to Georgia Public Broadcasting.
BOP manual: HVAC maintenance plan per ANSI/ASHRAE/ACCA 180 Policy
BOP's Facilities Operations Manual requires that, in accordance with ANSI/ASHRAE/ACCA Standard 180, each institution have a maintenance plan that preserves the condition of HVAC systems and all ancillary equipment in a manner that enables the system to provide the intended thermal comfort, energy efficiency, and achieve the intended indoor air quality required for the building it serves.
Farm Line plaintiffs sought work halt at 88-degree heat index; judge stopped short of hottest-day halt Legal fact
The Farm Line plaintiffs requested that the court halt Farm Line work whenever the heat index reached or exceeded 88 degrees, and District Judge Brian Jackson of the Middle District of Louisiana ruled in their favor, though he stopped short of requiring the Farm Line to stop on the hottest days.
Judge Pitman: excessive heat likely unconstitutional punishment in Texas prisons Quote
Judge Robert Pitman wrote in an order that excessive heat is likely serving as a form of unconstitutional punishment.
Cold-related prison mortality study: 18,578 deaths across 945 facilities, 2001-2019 Statistic
In the cold-related mortality study, heart disease accounted for 27% of deaths, respiratory disease for 6.3%, and suicide 6.1%, with influenza accounting for 29% of all respiratory disease deaths, among 18,578 deaths from 945 unique state or private prison facilities during cold months between 2001 and 2019.
18,578 deaths vs. 945 unique facilities
Mother of incarcerated man: 'It's 90 degrees inside' Georgia prison cell Quote
A mother of an incarcerated man said of his Georgia prison cell, "It's 90 degrees inside." and "How long do you think that ice is lasting?"
Judge Pitman declined immediate statewide AC, citing hundreds of millions to billions in cost Legal fact
Judge Pitman declined to order temporary air conditioning installed in all Texas prisons, noting it would take hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars to install permanent air conditioning in every facility and that ordering temporary air conditioning then would divert significant limited resources.
Cold-month prison deaths were 96% male and 96% in state-operated prisons Statistic
In the cold-related mortality study, the majority of the 18,578 deaths during cold months were male (96%) and housed in a state-operated prison (96%).
96% vs. 96 percent housed in state-operated prison
GDC says ice distribution is a stopgap measure when prison heat becomes intolerable Finding
The Georgia Department of Corrections said doling out ice is one of the stopgap measures it uses when prison heat becomes intolerable, according to Georgia Public Broadcasting.
Just over 80% of federal prisons have universal AC; only five states fully cool housing Statistic
Grist's investigation found that just over 80 percent of federal prisons have universal air conditioning, and only five states provide air conditioning in all prison housing units.
80%
Cole v. Collier: Judge Ellison granted preliminary injunction July 19, 2017 Legal fact
On July 19, 2017, Judge Ellison granted the Cole v. Collier preliminary injunction in a 100-page opinion stating, '[p]risoners are human beings with spouses and children who worry about them and miss them.'
GPB's 'quarter' air-conditioning figure hyperlinked to Prison Policy Initiative, not GDC Methodology note
GPB's article attributed the 'quarter' air-conditioning figure by hyperlinking it to the Prison Policy Initiative's blog appendix, not to a GDC spokesperson, per the retrieved HTML.
Most inmates in Texas' approximately 100 state-run facilities live without AC Finding
Most of the inmates incarcerated in Texas' approximately 100 state-run jails or prisons live without air conditioning.
At least 44 states lack universal prison air conditioning (2022 USA Today) Statistic
A 2022 USA Today analysis found at least 44 U.S. states lack universal air conditioning within their prison facilities, even in regions known for sweltering summer temperatures.
44 states
Cole v. Collier: March 23, 2018 order required Pack Unit heat index no greater than 88 degrees Legal fact
On March 23, 2018, Judge Ellison extended the Cole v. Collier preliminary injunction requiring TDCJ to maintain a heat index at the Pack Unit housing areas no greater than 88 degrees.
Texas prison cell temperatures regularly top 90-100°F per state records Finding
Temperatures inside Texas prison cells during summer months regularly top 90 and even 100 degrees, according to the state's own records.
Reuters: nearly half of state prisons in 29 states have partial or no AC Finding
A Reuters investigation found that nearly half of state prisons across 29 states have partial or no air conditioning in housing units.
Cole v. Collier settlement required summer AC, transfer/transport AC, and $4.5 million in fees Legal fact
The Cole v. Collier settlement would require the prison to ensure air conditioning for class members during summer months, guarantee air conditioning if class members were moved to other units and while being transported in vehicles, and included $4.5 million for attorney's fees and costs.
Federal judge ordered Texas to air condition all prisons by end of 2029 Legal fact
A federal judge ordered Texas to air condition all of the state's lockups, which the prison agency said could cost $1.5 billion, by the end of 2029.
At least 41 Texas prisoners died during 2023 heat wave (Texas Tribune analysis) Statistic
A Texas Tribune analysis found that at least 41 incarcerated people died during a record-breaking heat wave in Texas prisons in 2023.
41 deaths
Cole v. Collier: Judge Ellison approved settlement June 8, 2018, retaining jurisdiction Legal fact
On June 8, 2018, Judge Ellison entered an order approving the Cole v. Collier settlement agreement, despite multiple filed objections. The court retained jurisdiction on all matters pertaining to the settlement agreement.
Judge Pitman found non-AC Texas prisons violate Eighth Amendment; ordered plan by Dec 31, 2029 Legal fact
U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman found that conditions in Texas prisons without air conditioning violate the Eighth Amendment and that TDCJ's current response to extreme heat is insufficient, ordering the agency to implement a plan to add air conditioning in every Texas prison no later than Dec. 31, 2029.
PLOS One: prison mortality up 3.5% on extreme heat days, 7.4% over three-day heat waves Finding
A 2023 study published in the peer-reviewed PLOS One journal found that mortality in state and private prisons rose during periods of extreme heat, with deaths increasing 3.5% on extreme heat days and up to 7.4% during three-day heat waves.
Cole v. Collier plaintiffs sought May 1, 2017 injunction to cap Pack Unit at 88 degrees and require heat wave policy Legal fact
On May 1, 2017, the Cole v. Collier plaintiffs moved for a preliminary injunction ordering TDCJ to lower temperatures inside the Pack Unit to 88 degrees and to develop a heat wave policy.
Nearly 13,000 summer prison deaths 2001-2019, almost half in the South Statistic
Between 2001 and 2019, nearly 13,000 people died in prison during the summer months, almost half of them in the South, according to a 2023 PLOS One study, which did not determine how many were heat-related.
13,000 deaths
Sources
76 cited sources backing this research.
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Key Entities
Organizations, people, facilities, and other named entities referenced in this research.
Alabama Appleseed
[organization]
Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice
[organization]
Alabama Department of Corrections
[organization]
Albert Hinojosa
[person]
Alma Adams
[person]
American Correctional Association
[organization]
Andrew McFarlane
[person]
Angola
[facility]
Angola Farm Line case
[case]
Angola Farm Line Litigation
[case]
Angola State Penitentiary
[facility]
Arrendale State Prison
[facility]
Ball v. LeBlanc
[case]
Bernhardt Tiede II
[person]
Bernie Tiede
[person]
Bibiano v. Garrett
[case]
Blackmon v. Garza
[case]
Bobby Lumpkin
[person]
Brian Jackson
[person]
Brian Kemp
[person]
Calhoun State Prison
[facility]
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
[organization]
CDC/NIOSH
[organization]
Chandler v. Crosby
[case]
Cole v. Collier
[case]
Dade Correctional Institution
[facility]
Eleventh Circuit
[organization]
Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals
[organization]
Falon Brown
[person]
Federal Bureau of Prisons
[organization]
Fifth Circuit
[organization]
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
[organization]
Florida Department of Corrections
[organization]
Florida Justice Institute
[organization]
Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 125-3-5-.04
[legislation]
Garza East Unit
[facility]
Garza West Unit
[facility]
Gates v. Cook
[case]
GDC SOP 210.02 Inmate Boot Camp - Classification and Assignment
[organization]
GDC SOP 410.06 Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Design Standards
[organization]
GDC SOP 507.04.23 Medical Classification and Profiling
[organization]
GDC SOP 508.10 Confidentiality of Mental Health Records
[organization]
GDC SOP 508.24 Psychotropic Medication Use Management
[organization]
GDC SOP 511.27 Occupational Safety and Health/Rehabilitation
[organization]
Georgia Board of Corrections
[organization]
Georgia Department of Corrections
[organization]
Georgia General Assembly
[organization]
Glenn Youngkin
[person]
Government Accountability Office
[organization]
H.R. 9591
[legislation]
Hinojosa v. Livingston
[case]
Hodge Unit
[facility]
Jenkins v. DeKalb County
[case]
Juan Carlos Ramirez Bibiano
[person]
Judge Ellison
[person]
Judge Pitman
[person]
Louisiana Department of Corrections
[organization]
Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections
[organization]
Lowndes County
[facility]
Lucy McBath
[person]
MDC Brooklyn
[facility]
Mitchell County Correctional Institute
[facility]
National Commission on Correctional Health Care
[organization]
National Weather Service
[organization]
North Carolina Department of Adult Correction
[organization]
O.C.G.A. § 15-12-78
[legislation]
OSHA
[organization]
P&M Mechanical
[organization]
Pack Unit
[facility]
Parchman
[facility]
Parker v. Hooper
[case]
Phillips State Prison
[facility]
Prison Policy Initiative
[organization]
Ramirez Bibiano heat-exposure lawsuit
[case]
Ricky Dixon
[person]
Ricky Myrick
[person]
Robert Pitman
[person]
Ron DeSantis
[person]
Russell v. Johnson
[case]
Rutledge v. Sansing
[case]
Scott Medlock
[person]
Southern Center for Human Rights
[organization]
Telfair State Prison
[facility]
Texas Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants, Inc. v. Lumpkin
[case]
Texas Civil Rights Project
[organization]
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
[organization]
Texas Legislative Budget Board
[organization]
Texas Legislature
[organization]
Thomas Lee Rutledge
[person]
Tiede heat litigation
[case]
Tyrone Oliver
[person]
U.S. Department of Justice
[organization]
Unit 32
[facility]
Virginia Department of Corrections
[organization]
Wallace Pack Unit
[facility]
Webb v. Livingston
[case]
William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility
[facility]