After backlash, Discovery Channel won't shoot documentary at jail

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buy this photo Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez says the Discovery Channel has changed plans and will not do a documentary about the jail after a judge blocked filming. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam, file)

DALLAS - Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez says the Discovery Channel has changed plans and will not do a documentary about the jail after a judge blocked filming.

A judge agreed Wednesday with Dallas County commissioners and granted a temporary restraining order to halt the filming by the cable television channel.

Commissioners, who had not been consulted by Valdez prior to the project, raised concerns about outside access to the jail, inmate privacy and possible security breaches.

The county also is under a federal court order to improve conditions at the lockup.

Valdez said she's disappointed the crew won't be filming at the jail.

"We had hoped that the documentary would be a great opportunity to make the jail more transparent. Our only intent was to bring positive attention to the accomplishments of this department, its employees and Dallas County," she said in a statement Wednesday night.

Valdez said the Discovery Channel selected another facility for the documentary.

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