188 Custodial Deaths Reported in Texas Prisons This Quarter

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice operates 100 prisons across Texas. These prisons currently hold over 145,000 inmates.

Understanding Custodial Deaths

With that many people incarcerated in Texas, each unit has to deal with inmate deaths.  These deaths are referred to as custodial deaths.  A custodial death is the death of a person while detained, arrested, incarcerated, or in the custody of law enforcement or correctional officers. Custodial deaths include natural causes, suicides, homicides, and executions.

Total Deaths Reported in Q1 2026

In the first quarter of 2026, a total of 188 custodial deaths occurred between January 1 and March 30, 2026.

Causes of Death in Texas Prisons

The majority of the custodial deaths in TDCJ units are classified as pending. There are currently 134 deaths in this category. Most of these are still pending autopsy results or are still under investigation. Of the 188 custodial deaths, 47 were due to natural causes, including heart failure, cancer, and other age-related illnesses.

Additionally, four deaths were reported as suicides, and one was classified as a homicide resulting from an inmate assault.

The following gallery provides a unit-by-unit breakdown of custodial deaths across Texas prisons.

Why Many Cases Are Still Pending

Many cases remain pending while authorities await autopsy, toxicology, and administrative reviews, which can take three to four months.

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Most custodial deaths are from natural causes, though a smaller number involve suicide, homicide, or other non-natural events.

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These deaths are public record and can be found on the Texas Attorney General's website. The records include information about the inmate who passed, such as the cause of death, location, and the exact date and time.