Research Hub · Policy comparison
Some states set a temperature that triggers action. Some log temperatures. A few have been ordered by courts. Colorado has a number on paper, but no public record of whether prisons meet it.
USA Today analysis, 2022 · KBTX, Sept 2026 · 6 CCR 1010-13 §9.4
Side by side
Every row is checked against the policy, bill, court ruling or a news report on it. This is a sample of states with documented rules, not all 50.
| Place | Trigger | What happens | Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | Stage I: outdoor above 90°F. Stage II: indoor above 90°F. Stage III: indoor above 95°F. | Department heat plan: move vulnerable people, fans, extra showers, water, ice, nurse checks. Indoor readings every 3 hours, May–Oct. $17.6M and $20M for an air-cooling pilot at three prisons. | Agency plan + budget | CDCR · CDCR 2026 report |
| New Mexico | Indoor housing at or above 90°F, June 1–Sept 30 | Indoor and outdoor checks every 2 hours, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; log signed by the warden; health staff called right away. | Agency policy | NMCD CD-171500 |
| Georgia | Above 85°F, for people on psychotropic medication in lockdown, special housing and crisis units | Fans, extra ice and fluids, extra showers "if possible." Temperature logged every 6 hours in daylight, April–Sept. | Agency policy | GDC SOP 508.24 |
| Texas | Heat-index work and rest bands from 90°F | Rest breaks and work limits; no outdoor work at 95°F+ for people on antipsychotics. A 3 p.m. reading in uncooled housing every day, April–Sept. A federal judge ordered AC in every prison by the end of 2029; the state has appealed. | Agency policy + budget rider + court order | TDCJ D-27.2 · Rider 75 · KBTX, 2026 |
| Louisiana | 88°F heat-index ceiling on Angola death row, later struck down | The appeals court found an Eighth Amendment violation but said AC was not required; it allowed cooling units, ice, fans and showers. | Court case | 5th Cir. 2015 · 5th Cir. 2018 |
| Virginia | Cells no higher than 80°F (bill as passed) | HB 1894 required heating and AC. Vetoed by the governor in 2025. | Bill, vetoed | WVTF · Virginia Mercury |
| Iowa | No indoor trigger; outdoor work stops at 103°F and 125°F heat index | Each facility decides when to stop outdoor recreation. | Agency policy | Iowa DOC IO-SE-12 |
| Colorado | Indoor at least 61°F in the coldest months and under 86°F in the warmest | A state health department rule. Older buildings can be "deemed acceptable," and prisons can ask for variances. CDOC's Extreme Weather regulation (AR 850-17) covers outdoor work and recreation only, with an alert at a 105°F heat index. It sets no indoor temperature. | State health rule | 6 CCR 1010-13 §9.4 · §1.2 · CDOC index |
| Federal (OSHA) | 80°F and 90°F heat index | Proposed workplace rule: water, rest areas, paid breaks. Not final; no source says whether it would cover incarcerated workers. | Proposed rule | 89 FR 70698 |
Colorado
§9.3–9.4 · HB20-1409 · CDOC AR index · AR 850-17 · AR 850-06
§1.2(b)–(c) · CPR News, 2025 · HB26-1272 · AR 850-17 · AR 850-06
What other places show is possible
New Mexico checks every 2 hours in summer; Texas takes a daily 3 p.m. reading in uncooled housing; Georgia logs every 6 hours. Readings make the 86°F rule checkable.
NMCD · Texas Rider 75 · GDC
California steps up action at 90°F outdoors, 90°F indoors and 95°F indoors: moves, fans, water, ice, showers and nurse checks.
California set aside $17.6M and $20M for an air-cooling pilot at three prisons. Colorado's repair plan already lists HVAC work at nine prisons.
Georgia, New Mexico and Texas all name people on psychotropic or antipsychotic medication, which make it harder for the body to handle heat.
WVTF · Texas Tribune · AB 1424 · AB 2499
The American Correctional Association asks that living areas be "appropriate to the summer and winter comfort zones," the same idea as Colorado's rule. ICE asks for "acceptable and comfortable levels" in hold rooms.
ACA standard 4-4153 · ICE PBNDS 2.6
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