Dallas County Jail

On the heels of a federal ruling slamming Harris County for its bail practices, civil rights lawyers have now set their sights on a county with a similar system: Dallas.

Dallas County officials are beginning to overhaul their bond system to allow inmates to be released based on their risk level to the public instead of their ability to pay a bond.

For years, sheriffs and disability rights groups have complained about the lack of treatment for the growing number of mentally ill inmates in Texas. Now, state legislators are considering a bill that would allow private companies to offer mental health services to inmates.