Texas Prisoner Complaint under the Civil Rights Act 42 U.S.C. 1983 (STATE INMATES) is a type of legal action that is available to inmates in Texas who believe that their civil rights have been violated by the state, or other persons acting under the color of state law. Such complaints are filed in federal court and can include claims of cruel and unusual punishment, discrimination, or violations of the First Amendment. There are two types of Texas Prisoner Complaint under the Civil Rights Act 42 U.S.C. 1983 (STATE INMATES): individual and class action. An individual complaint is filed by one inmate, while a class action complaint is initiated by one or more inmates on behalf of themselves and all other similarly situated inmates. In either case, the complaint must allege a violation of the U.S. Constitution or of federal law. The court may award damages, injunctive relief or declaratory relief, depending on the facts of the case.