At least nine Texas inmates have died from causes possibly related to a scorching heat wave sweeping the state, according to a report.
A heat dome has sent temperatures soaring to over 115 degrees in some areas, prompting the National Weather Service in Fort Worth to issue an excessive heat advisory for parts of the state. Prison inmates in facilities without air conditioning face extreme temperatures from the heat wave, with the Texas Tribune reporting that at least nine inmates have died from causes possibly related to the heat. Two of those who died were only in their 30s.
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However, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice disputed the claim that the deaths were related to the heat.
“Labeling these as heat-related before the investigation is completed would be inaccurate,” spokeswoman Amanda Hernandez said.
The last registered heat-related death in a Texas prison was in 2012, but activists claim there have been some since then.
More than two-thirds of Texas's 100 prisons don't have air conditioning, often leading to temperatures inside being higher than outside. Kristie Williams, whose brother died this month, said his friends told her the temperature inside the prison when he died exceeded 130 degrees.
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Texas lawmakers, led by Democrats, have long considered legislation that would require adding air conditioning to prisons, but the latest measure failed to pass last legislative season.
“There seems to be an increase in heat-related injuries or things that can be attributed to extreme heat in the summer,” state Rep. Terry Canales said. “Aside from the physical danger, the mental torture … almost makes me emotional to think about.”