Local News

Judge Stops Documentary Filming At Dallas Jail

Sheriff, Commissioners At Odds Over Jail Documentary

DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ― State District Judge Carlos Cortez has ordered the filming of a documentary at the Dallas County Jail to stop temporarily.

Dallas County Commissioners and Sheriff Lupe Valdez were at odds over the filming of the documentary. They want it stopped permanently. Sheriff Valdez wanted to continue.

"The improvements have been made in that jail that are unbelievable. We are becoming one of the best jails in the nation. And just for a few minor things that are happening, we will become one of the best jails in the nation," said Valdez.

On Tuesday the commissioners unanimously agreed to issue a temporary restraining order against the sheriff and The Discovery Channel. The cable operation planned to film a documentary on the operation of the county jail.

Wednesday afternoon the judge issued a ruling on that temporary restraining order, siding with the commissioners.  He said the sheriff had no authorization to allow the filming.  He also said the law charges the county commissioners with maintaining the safety and suitability of the jail.

Valdez said she would have had final say on what would have been broadcast. Commissioner Mayfield agreed, but said, "Unless she could prove that what was going on was not factually correct, it goes on." 

Click here to read the agreement (.pdf file).

The Dallas County Jail hasn't passed inspection in the past five years. However, County Commissioner Kenneth Mayfield said and his fellow commissioners were more concerned about the federal lawsuits filed by inmates.

"I really believe we saved the sheriff from herself," said "I do not believe the Discovery Channel was going to put a piece on T.V. that was going to be complimentary of the Dallas County Jail."

Wednesday morning before the ruling, Valdez was defiant.  "After careful consideration and review and providing county commissioners with additional facts, I am proceeding with plans to allow a film crew for the Discovery Channel to produce a one-hour documentary inside the jail," she said in a release.

"I know there has been some misunderstanding and differences of opinion over the last 24 hours, but I believe the misunderstanding was caused by a lack of information," Valdez continued in her release.

But later Wednesday morning Valdez agreed to stop the filming until Judge Cortez made his decision.

Tuesday, Commissioner Mayfield said it was an, "intentional slight of our policy, and against the advice of our attorney."

Valdez rebutted that in both a news conference Tuesday afternoon and in her release Wednesday morning.

"Neither county policy nor state law requires me to receive approval from the court before allowing access to jail facilities," she said Tuesday.

The sheriff continued: "The county states there are only two reasons to deny filming: if it disrupts normal business, which we'd make sure that it wouldn't; or, if it offends public visitors. There were no public visitors in the jail. Therefore, neither of these situations applied."

"We have operated in good faith and within the bounds of my authority as sheriff in granting approval to the Discovery Channel to film life inside the jail. It is an opportunity to show the improvements that have been made in the jail, as well as, the daily challenges our staff and officers face."

She also garnered support from the District Attorney's office.

"It is well within the Sheriff's responsibility to run the jail. The jail is not controlled, run or managed by the Commissioners Court," Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins. "She can determine who can come in and leave the jail. It is within her sole discretion."

But Judge Cortez disagreed in his ruling.

Dallas County faces legal fights regarding the condition of the jail and treatment of inmates. Commissioners have prohibited access to other entities and apparently had no knowledge of the documentary plans.

"I continue to seek a good working relationship with the Commissioners Court and I know they join me in wanting to do what is best for the Citizens of Dallas," Valdez said Wednesday.

Watkins also assured the media that the District Attorney's Office would not seek an injunction against Valdez, and said that any methods taken by the Commissioners to do so would be a waste of resources.

"If [the Commissioners] choose to get counsel," Watkins said, "then we are put into a position to defend the Sheriff on the injunction, and we fully intend to do that."

"Of course I'm disappointed. I think we lost a great opportunity to make the jail more transparent," said Valdez.

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