Over 100 Inmates Have Died in Texas Prisons This Year

Texas is a large state and within the state are a lot of prisons. In fact, there are more than 100 units within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Currently, the TDCJ has an average of 135,000 inmates.

With that many inmates and over 100 units, prisons will experience deaths within the walls. These deaths are called custodial deaths.

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What is Custodial Death in Texas?

According to the Office of the Attorney General, a custodial death is when a person dies while in the custody of a peace officer as a result of a peace officer's use of force, or if a person is incarcerated in jail.

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These deaths can range from natural to homicide and in between. Many of the deaths listed since January are still pending because autopsy reports are still pending.

Since January 1, 2025, there have been over 100 deaths in Texas prisons, according to the OAG. Most of the deaths were from natural causes.

Natural: 63
Pending Autopsy: 38
Suicide: 7
Homicide: 2
Unknown: 1

Custodial Deaths in TDCJ Units Since January 1, 2025

100 Inmates Have Died in Texas Prisons Since January 2025

Texas is a large state and within the state are a lot of prisons. In fact, there are more than 100 units within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Gallery Credit: Lori Crofford

Although 100 deaths in a short period in Texas prisons sounds extreme, keep in mind that the Texas prison population is over 135,000.

What Is A Day Like In Texas Prisons? A View From Both Sides Of The Bars

Have you ever wondered what life inside a Texas prison is really like? I asked friends who are correction officers and folks who have volunteered at jails. I also asked former inmates, and browsed forums and articles with current and former inmates. Put all together, it paints what I hope is a fairly accurate picture of daily prison life in Texas.

Gallery Credit: Renee Raven