Advocates for Texas prisoners have recently joined a lawsuit filed by Bernie Tiede, a former mortician whose life was allegedly endangered due to extreme heat in the prison. Tiede, who inspired the movie “Bernie”, has diabetes and hypertension and suffered health issues due to the stifling heat in his cell. Advocates argue that only 30% of Texas prisons are fully air-conditioned, with temperatures often exceeding 120 degrees Fahrenheit inside the facilities. They are urging a federal judge to declare the prison system’s current policies unconstitutional and mandate maintaining temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit for the well-being of all inmates.
Various prisoners’ rights groups, including Texas Prisons Community Advocates and Lioness: Justice Impacted Women’s Alliance, are actively involved in the legal battle to improve conditions for inmates in Texas prisons. They are seeking to expand Tiede’s lawsuit to encompass all prisoners in the state and ensure that proper measures are taken to address the excessive heat issue. Director Richard Linklater, who directed the movie based on Tiede’s case, emphasized the urgency of the situation during a virtual news conference, highlighting the risks faced by incarcerated individuals due to the extreme heat conditions.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has been under scrutiny for its handling of the lack of air conditioning in state prisons. While the agency refrained from commenting on pending litigation, they emphasized their efforts to install more air conditioning units and provide cooling measures for both inmates and employees. However, advocacy groups refute the agency’s claims, pointing to studies that suggest heat-related deaths have occurred in Texas prisons due to the scorching temperatures. The push for improved conditions comes as the summer approaches, raising concerns about the impact of extreme heat on incarcerated individuals.
A study conducted by researchers at Brown, Boston, and Harvard universities revealed that a significant number of deaths in Texas prisons between 2001 and 2019 may be attributed to extreme heat during warm months. The threat of extreme heat poses a serious risk to the health and safety of inmates, leading advocacy groups to demand immediate action to address the issue. Former inmate Marci Marie Simmons, who endured the stifling prison heat herself, emphasized the urgent need for reforms to protect incarcerated individuals from the dangers of extreme temperatures. The call for change comes as the state prepares for the upcoming summer season.
As the legal battle over air conditioning in Texas prisons intensifies, the plight of incarcerated individuals like Bernie Tiede sheds light on the challenges faced by those living in stifling conditions. With advocates and prisoners’ rights groups banding together to demand reforms, the pressure on the Texas prison system is mounting. The debate over the constitutionality of the current policies and the need for adequate cooling measures underscores the broader issue of ensuring the well-being of inmates in state facilities. As the case progresses, the focus remains on addressing the immediate risks posed by extreme heat and advocating for systemic changes to protect the health and safety of those behind bars.
