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The Latest Breaking News from Amanda Hernandez

Texas Is Trying to Punish Its Way Out of a Prison Overdose Crisis

While quality treatment options remain scarce—even in the hardest-hit lockups

Texas Observer · Sep 8

Throwing the Book at Books in Prison

Inside Books Project volunteers have sent used books to Texas inmates for nearly 30 years. A new crackdown is threatening their work.

Texas Observer · Jul 6

The Health Penalty

At a North Texas prison, one nurse practitioner racked up more than 20 federal lawsuits over alleged medical mistreatment. The patients’ stories illuminate a healthcare system that often seems like another form of punishment.

Texas Observer · Sep 15, 2025

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Most Texas prisoners don’t have AC access and it’s unclear when they will get it

Despite receiving substantial state funding to air-condition prisons in the last few years, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice has stayed mum on when it will install cooling across the system.

The Texas Tribune · Jul 17, 2025

An Inside Look at Taser Use in Texas Prison

The sound of electricity sizzling and crackling broke the silence. To me, it looked like the electric chair was officially back in the prisons.

Texas Observer · Mar 13, 2025

Handshakes, murals and ministry: A reopened Texas prison focuses on rehabilitation

The Bartlett Unit in Williamson County will house 1,049 male inmates who will participate in educational programs aimed to help them secure a job after they’ve served their time.

The Texas Tribune · Dec 2, 2024

Texas' Prison System Could Run Out of Beds for Those Incarcerated by Late 2025, New Report Says

Moreover, some prisons in the state are operating with up to 70% of prison guard positions unfilled as shortages continue

Latin Times · Oct 2, 2024

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Texas prison system’s staffing crisis and outdated technology endanger guards and inmates

A new state report says the prison population will outgrow capacity by the end of next year.

The Texas Tribune · Oct 1, 2024

Solidarity from Solitary and Beyond

Texans are organizing inside and outside of prisons to empower incarcerated workers, who labor in dangerous conditions without pay.

Texas Observer · Sep 23, 2024

Texas’ prison guard shortfall makes it harder for inmates to get reprieve from extreme indoor heat, critics say

About 25% of Texas’ correctional officer positions are unfilled. Inmates say the shortages make it harder for them to get respite during hot summer months.

The Texas Tribune · Sep 11, 2024

Waiting Out the Storm in Prison

Incarcerated Texans describe conditions in prison following Hurricane Beryl.

Texas Observer · Jul 26, 2024

Supreme Court grants death row inmate last minute stay of execution

Ruben Gutierrez was convicted of capital murder for the 1998 killing of a retired teacher

The Independent UK · Jul 17, 2024

When Texas jails issue tablets, it comes at cost for inmates and families

A handful of Texas jails have issued electronic tablets to inmates. Counties can make money off their use.

The Texas Tribune · May 13, 2024

Texas inmates are being ‘cooked to death’ in extreme heat, complaint alleges

With the threat of another hot summer ahead, advocates asked a federal judge to declare 100-degree-plus conditions in uncooled Texas facilities unconstitutional.

The Texas Tribune · Apr 23, 2024

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The Texas Tribune · Sep 21, 2023

Texas inmate killed by cellmate during a statewide prison lockdown

The killing of inmate Billy Chemirmir in the Coffield Unit occurred during a statewide lockdown of prisons, promoted by a rise in inmate homicides. A day before the lockdown, another incident at the same prison resulted in the firings of seven correctional officers and the resignations of another six.

The Independent UK · Sep 6, 2023

Texas prison lockdown over drug murders renews worries about lack of air conditioning in heat wave

Officials say the Texas prison system’s 100 units have been placed on a statewide lockdown due to a series of drug-related inmate homicides

Salon · Aug 22, 2023

Dozens die in sweltering Texas prisons

At least 41 prisoners have died of heart-related or undetermined causes since the unrelenting heat wave began

The Texas Tribune · Jul 26, 2023

Facing sex discrimination claims, Texas begins jailing migrant women under border crackdown

Operation Lone Star originally targeted single men suspected of crossing the border illegally in mass trespassing arrests, but some claimed that not arresting women violated equal protection laws.

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The Independent UK · Jul 18, 2023

Texas heat wave has inmates' families worried about lack of air conditioning in state's prisons

As a summer heat wave continues to bake most of Texas, family members of inmates are calling for all of the state’s prisons to be fully air conditioned

Texas Observer · Jun 30, 2023

Texas Recruits High School Kids To Be Corrections Officers

Short on guards, the state hopes to attract students enrolled in corrections career training programs once they turn 18.

The Texas Tribune · Jun 28, 2023

Inmates are dying in stifling Texas prisons, but the state seldom acknowledges heat as a cause of death

Since a heat wave gripped Texas, at least nine inmates, including two men in their 30s, have died of heart attacks or unknown causes in prisons lacking air conditioning. It’s been 11 years since the state last classified a death as heat-related.

The Texas Tribune · May 26, 2023

Despite budget surplus, Texas Legislature makes little money available for prison air conditioning

Stifling heat has killed inmates and exacerbated employee turnover in Texas prisons. But funding for air conditioning was whittled down in the draft budget released Thursday.

The Guardian - US · Feb 4, 2023

Advocates say 22 Texas inmates still on hunger strike but state disputes figure

Solitary confinement inmates protest against brutal form of incarceration but state says it’s only aware of six striking men

The Texas Tribune · Feb 1, 2023

Texas executes Wesley Ruiz despite ongoing fight over state’s use of old lethal injection drugs

Ruiz was convicted in the 2007 shooting death of Dallas police Senior Cpl. Mark Nix after a high-speed chase.

The Texas Tribune · Jan 30, 2023

“We are humans back here”: As Texas hunger strike wanes, prisoners speak out against solitary confinement

After 21 days, the last of many Texas prisoners to consistently refuse food ended his hunger strike. In letters to The Texas Tribune, two prisoners spoke out on the dire solitary confinement conditions that led them to starve themselves.

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