H.R. 9591: Extreme Temperatures Injustice in Prisons Act of 2026

This bill would require the Bureau of Prisons to improve how federal prisons handle extreme heat and cold.

What it would require

• Within 5 years, the Bureau of Prisons would have to install or upgrade heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in every federal prison it runs.
• Temperature-reading devices would have to be installed in every area where people live or work, including prison cells and shared spaces.
• Until those devices are fully installed, prison officials would have to regularly check and monitor temperatures.
• The Bureau of Prisons would have to create and enforce written rules on dealing with dangerous heat and cold in prisons, including for work assignments, recreation, and general living conditions.
• The CDC would study the effects of extreme temperatures in federal prisons and recommend safer practices.
• Within 1 year, the Bureau of Prisons would have to finalize rules to protect medically vulnerable people in prison, using CDC guidance.
• Within 1 year, the Bureau would also have to adopt heat-exposure limits for staff that account for humidity, using NIOSH standards.
• Prisons would have to provide heat-relief items at no cost when temperatures get dangerously high, such as cold water bottles, cooling fans, and cooling towels.
• Prisons would also have to provide cold-weather items at no cost when temperatures get dangerously low, such as winter clothing, blankets, and other thermal items.
• The Bureau would need an electronic system to track whether staff complete seasonal training on winter safety and recognizing heat illness.

Reporting and oversight

• Every 2 years, the Bureau of Prisons would report to Congress on HVAC maintenance costs and progress on upgrades.
• Starting 1 year after enactment and then annually, it would report on temperature-related illnesses, injuries, and deaths among vulnerable groups in federal prisons, such as elderly people, pregnant people, and people with certain medical conditions.
• The Justice Department Inspector General would conduct an annual inspection of temperature devices, HVAC systems, temperature-related health incidents, and mitigation measures in federal prisons, and publish a report.

Funding

The bill would authorize whatever money is needed for fiscal years 2026 through 2031 to install and upgrade HVAC systems in federal prisons.

Relevant Companies

None found