Published: July 04, 2009 12:16 pm      

Texas state inmates use fans to beat the heat

HOUSTON (AP) — Only 19 of 112 Texas state prisons are air conditioned, leaving the majority of inmates to face the summer heat with fans.

Officials say the 19 prisons are generally reserved for the sick and mentally ill, the Houston Chronicle reported.

So far this year, nine inmates and seven prison employees have suffered heat-related illnesses.

Prison officials have established hot-weather procedures that go into effect when the heat index reaches 90 degrees.

State Senator John Whitmire, chairman of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, said the heat is “part of the reality of going to prison.”