Life and Dignity on Death Row: Why Texas Must Act

Texas’s death row is a system designed to punish, but the punishment has gone far beyond what any justice system should allow. The conditions in which men and women live on death row are not only physically dangerous but also psychologically torturous. Solitary confinement, extreme isolation, and minimal human contact define daily life for those sentenced to death, leaving incarcerated people with almost no ability to maintain their mental or emotional well-being. These conditions raise urgent moral and practical questions about how Texas carries out the ultimate punishment, and whether the state can claim to uphold justice while perpetuating such suffering.

Solitary confinement is the backbone of death row incarceration. Prisoners are confined to tiny 60-square-foot cells with almost no contact with the outside world. This isolation is relentless, with no opportunity to engage in meaningful human interaction or activities that could help preserve mental health. Commissary privileges are often stripped away, denying access to basic necessities such as soap, toothpaste, or small comforts like art and writing materials that provide emotional relief. The psychological toll of this isolation is profound, and it sets the stage for other abuses that compound the suffering of those incarcerated.

The brutal Texas heat further intensifies the danger. In many units, temperatures rise to life-threatening levels, and nothing has been done to mitigate the risks. Men are forced to resort to desperate measures, such as soaking their shirts in toilet water, simply to survive the sweltering conditions. This extreme heat is not a minor inconvenience; it is a direct threat to life and well-being. It also leads directly into another critical concern: hygiene and the inability to maintain it under such conditions.

Shower access is extremely limited, sometimes to once a week or less, leaving incarcerated people living in unsanitary conditions. Combined with heat and minimal cleaning supplies, this lack of basic hygiene is both dehumanizing and dangerous, contributing to illness and infection. Food provisions during lockdowns — meager “johnny sacks” — do little to offset the toll these conditions take on physical health. The combination of extreme heat, poor sanitation, and insufficient nutrition creates an environment where survival becomes a daily struggle, rather than simply serving a sentence.

Medical care is another area in which Texas fails those on death row. Treatment is frequently delayed or denied until conditions become severe or life-threatening, sometimes resulting in death from neglect rather than execution. These preventable tragedies highlight a system that prioritizes punishment over human life and dignity. No justice is served when people suffer unnecessarily or die from conditions that could be treated.

The death penalty in Texas is also racially and economically biased. People of color and those without access to adequate legal defense are disproportionately sentenced to death, while poverty itself can become a sentence to the harshest conditions. This systemic inequity compounds the cruelty already inherent in death row incarceration, ensuring that certain groups are disproportionately subjected to the worst physical, psychological, and social harm.

Tragically, the combination of these conditions has led to hopelessness and despair. At the Polunsky Unit, one man took his own life despite regular contact and visitations with his loved ones, a heartbreaking reminder of how extreme isolation, neglect, and inhumane conditions can overwhelm even the strongest support systems. This loss is a solemn call to action, a reminder that the state has the power — and the moral obligation — to prevent these outcomes.

Texas has the opportunity to act with humanity and justice. Legislation such as “85 to Stay Alive” could prevent deadly heat conditions, and policies ensuring access to showers, medical care, and commissary could transform the daily lives of those on death row. These changes are not abstract reforms — they are basic, life-saving measures that uphold human dignity. You can make a difference today. Visit the Advocacy Resources page on our website to find pre-written letters and phone scripts to contact Governor Abbott and your state representatives. Every message helps push for reforms that protect life, ensure humane treatment, and demand justice for all.