Extreme Heat Litigation

Extreme heat in Texas prisons puts lives at risk. Learn about our fight for air conditioning through litigation and our continued work to ensure that a victory in court becomes relief for people inside.

Federal Court Rules Texas Prison Heat Unconstitutional

In this ruling, the US District Court for the Western District of Texas found that failing to provide air conditioning in state prisons causes extreme heat-related harm and violates the Eighth Amendment. 

Plaintiffs’ Closing Presentation: Lioness, et al. v. Lumpkin

Our closing presentation at the end of the trial laid out the evidence of heat-related harm and the feasibility of air conditioning all Texas prisons by the end of 2029.

Court Dismisses Bernie Tiede; Lioness Prison Heat Case Continues

In this March 2026 order, the court dismissed Bernhardt “Bernie” Tiede II from the lawsuit because a TDCJ policy change made his individual claim moot. The court allowed Lioness and the remaining organizations to continue the prison heat case.

Court Allows Texas Prison Heat Case to Proceed to Trial

In this March 2025 order, the court recognized the serious danger posed by extreme heat in unair-conditioned Texas prisons and allowed the case to move forward toward trial.