The Latest Breaking News from TDCJ

Advocates Request Clemency for Jewish Man on Death Row

Advocates argue that a difficult childhood and religious devotion should lead to a commutation or delay of execution.

Texas Observer · Oct 3, 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 Texas Tribune · Sep 21, 2023

‘It Will Take the Breath Out of You’: Prisoners Describe Extreme Nighttime Heat in Texas Units

TDCJ will allocate $85 million to provide air conditioning to more units. In the meantime, is heat killing people in Texas prisons?

Texas Observer · Sep 13, 2023

A prison guard says she was forced to stay at her post during labor pains. Texas is fighting compensation for her stillbirth.

The seven-months-pregnant officer reported contraction-like pains at work, but said she wasn’t allowed to leave for hours. The anti-abortion state is fighting her lawsuit, in part by saying her fetus didn’t clearly have rights.

The Texas Tribune · Aug 11, 2023

‘People are dying’: Texas prisoners say heatwave turns cells into ovens

State’s prisons at crisis point with temperatures regularly above 115F threatening physical and mental health of inmates

The Guardian - US · Jul 31, 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

The Independent UK · Jul 18, 2023

Prisoners’ relatives and former inmates plead for help as deaths mount in sweltering Texas prisons

Several lawmakers supported a call for Gov. Greg Abbott to bring lawmakers back immediately to approve air conditioning for prisons, which the Legislature declined to do during its regular session.

The Texas Tribune · Jul 18, 2023

Investigation finds no fraud by Texas prison contractor that was paid despite cutting inmate therapy services

Management & Training Corporation had been accused of defrauding the state by charging for services it didn’t provide and directing prisoners to falsify paperwork about their treatment.

The Texas Tribune · Jul 13, 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 · Jun 28, 2023

Solitary confinement is still widespread in US prisons and jails

The United States locks people in isolation even though it causes severe psychological damage that can last a lifetime.

Al Jazeera · Jun 27, 2023