More than 70% of Texas prisons don't have AC, and why that won't change anytime soon

[Draggingtree]

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More than 70% of Texas prisons don't have AC, and why that won't change anytime soon

By Brandi Grissom Follow @brandigrissom bgrissom@dallasnews.com

Austin Bureau Chief29 June 2016 10:00 AMUpdated:

Published:

04 July 2016 10:16 AM

AUSTIN -- It is officially swelter season in Texas, and for most of the 150,000 inmates in the state's sprawling prison system, it means another summer of seemingly endless months in cells where temperatures can climb north of 100 degrees.

 

How many more summers prisoners live without air conditioning will depend on how and when the courts rule in a years-long fight between prisoner advocates and Texas corrections officials.

 

The two sides are locked in a battle over whether super-heated conditions in Texas prisons are unconstitutional cruel and unusual punishment and jeopardize inmates' lives.

 

Advocates argue the extreme heat is particularly harmful for the thousands of inmates who are elderly or suffer from medical or mental health conditions. They want the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to provide air conditioning to regulate the temperatures.

[Valin]

No AC.....Gee What Shame.

 

[RandyM]

Not much sympathy from those of us in the 60+ crowd that grew up without A/C.