Texas Juvenile Justice Department

The Texas Juvenile Justice Department's investigation comes after months of concern over Dallas County's juvenile justice process.

Spurred by reports of inhumane conditions at Texas Juvenile Justice Department facilities, Austin-area teenagers are lobbying the Legislature to reform the system.

Despite a scandal that rocked Texas causing state legislative hearings, no charges will be filed against the alleged perpetrator.

Critics say state District Judge Alex Kim is sending too many children to the state’s failing youth prison system. The longtime GOP politician points to a rise in teen gang violence.

Gov. Greg Abbott largely remained silent as dangerous conditions caused by a lack of staff persisted at Texas juvenile facilities during the summer.

The agency is so understaffed that teens have reported spending up to 23 hours locked in their cells, using water bottles to go to the bathroom. A staggering number have hurt themselves or been placed on suicide watch.

In an email last week, interim director Shandra Carter described the move as having "no other option."

Sunset Advisory commission met to discuss the fate of the system that the interim director said was "collapsing."

Camille Cain departed the beleaguered agency after four years and mixed results at reforming the agency which is now under federal investigation.

The department says it’s looking into whether the Texas Juvenile Justice Department provides “reasonable protection from physical and sexual abuse by staff and other residents, excessive use of chemical restraints and excessive use of isolation.”

Children housed at Texas Juvenile Justice Department, or TJJD, facilities routinely suffer sexual assault, physical abuse and other forms of mistreatment, according to a complaint sent to the U.S. Department of Justice by two Texas justice groups last week.

The request is the latest chapter in a scandal-plagued recent history for the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, which has experienced high turnover rates among staff and leadership.