High temperatures violate the Constitution’s protection against cruel and unusual punishment, the judge ruled. Texas will appeal.
Texas Department Of Criminal Justice
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas prisons seek $298 million for air conditioning. That’s a fraction of what’s needed.
It would cost $1.5 billion to fully cool all prisons, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice estimates.
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Graphics and data reporting
Use our database to see what state employees in Texas are paid, as of July 2026
The Texas Tribune’s database of state employees’ compensation has been updated to include salaries as of July 1.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Judge recommends medical parole for inmate who had been on Texas death row for 47 years
Clarence Curtis Jordan, who is intellectually disabled and had no legal representation for decades, was resentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.
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Criminal Justice
Texas prisoners face new book ban after hundreds test positive for synthetic drugs
Inmates say the policy unfairly punishes them — and note that prison staff also bring in contraband.
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Graphics and data reporting
Use our database to see what state employees in Texas are paid, as of April 2026
The Texas Tribune’s database of state employees’ compensation has been updated to include salaries as of April. 1.
Posted in
State Government
TDCJ official confirms in trial testimony that it could cost $1.5 billion to fully cool Texas prisons
Current and former heads of Texas’ prison system defended asking for lesser amounts to air-condition facilities during a federal trial on extreme heat in TDCJ facilities.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2025
Bill requiring air conditioning in all Texas prisons wins House approval
House Bill 3006 would require the installation of climate control in state prison facilities by 2032.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
House panel passes bill requiring air conditioning in Texas prisons by 2032
Weeks after a federal judge declared hot conditions in Texas prisons unconstitutional, a bill requiring air conditioning in those facilities by 2032 has gained traction in the House.
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Graphics and data reporting
See what each Texas state employee is paid: Search our updated database.
The Texas Tribune’s database of Texas state employees’ compensation is updated to represent salaries as of April 1.
