Tarrant County Jails | County and City Jails

Locate an Inmate in Tarrant County Jails

If you or a loved one has been arrested in Tarrant County, you’ve come to the right place. We have compiled this guide to help you navigate the unfamiliar waters of finding an inmate, hiring an attorney, and getting a loved one out of a Tarrant County jail.

But let’s start off with the most commonly asked question:

How long does it take to bond someone out of jail in Tarrant County?

Short answer: generally 24-48 hours.

Longer answer: It depends on a number of factors. For example, was the person taken to a city jail or Tarrant County jail, which is in downtown Fort Worth. There is a book-in process that can take 4-6 hours. Then once a person is booked in they wait for magistration, which is when the judge sets a bond. This can take another 4-6 hours. Once they have seen a judge, a bond will be set in almost every case. Once the bond is set, a bond can be posted. Once the bond is posted by a bondsman or through a cash bond, the booking out process can take another 4-24 hours. The Tarrant County jail is extremely short-staffed so booking in and out processes take a lot longer than they used to.

Steps to Take if a Loved One is Arrested in Tarrant County

Take the following steps:

1. Check the Tarrant County Jail
2. Check local jails
3. Hire a criminal defense attorney (us)
4. Follow the attorney’s advice.

Tarrant County Jail Information

If an arrested individual is not in custody at a local jail, he or she may have been transported to a Tarrant County facility.

Tarrant County Inmate Search

To find out if someone is in custody in a Tarrant County Jail facility:

1. Search the Tarrant County Inmate Search page.
2. Call Tarrant County Jail Information: (817) 884-3116 and (817) 884-3117.
3. Visit the Tarrant County Jail at 100 N Lamar St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
4. Call the Mansfield Jail at 817-804-5731.
5. Check the Mansfield Law Enforcement Center, 1601 Heritage Parkway, Mansfield, Texas 76063
6. Look up inmates in Mansfield Jail.

What Happens When You Are Booked into Tarrant County?

So you have been arrested, handcuffed, placed in the back of a patrol car, and transported to a local jail. What happens when you are booked into jail in Tarrant County? Now comes the booking process. The booking process refers to the taking of your name, age, address, and arrest. This information is compiled and entered into a computer, where it will remain attached a County Identification Number (CID). This number is unique to you and will attach you to all of your Tarrant County cases for the rest of your life. It will be the best reference number for you to locate any of your past or pending cases.

Once you arrive at the jail, you will be asked to identify yourself. Next, you will be questioned, fingerprinted, given an iris scan and photographed for jail records. Every person brought to the Tarrant County Jail is subject to an iris scan at the time of their booking. Your prints could be run against a number of databases across the country to check for additional warrants or outstanding cases.

When you enter into the jail you will be searched, more thoroughly than in the field, and forced to turn over any personal items. The level of search will depend upon the severity or type of offense. If suspected of carrying, you may be strip-searched for drugs or weapons. If you’ve been arrested for a drug offense in the past, you will most likely be strip searched. Next, depending upon your length of expected confinement, you may be given a set of jail clothes to change into. The following clothing items will be provided to you: a jail uniform, a pair of sandals, a mattress, a mattress cover, a towel, and a blanket.

It is important to remember that everything you bring into a jail cell with you can and will be searched. All the personal items you bring into a correctional facility will be placed in storage. If you bring contraband into a correctional facility, you could be charged with a felony offense. Moreover, prosecutors can check your property at the jail and request the jail’s property inventory to later use what they find against you in court. If you have evidence of illegal activity or contraband, like marijuana, prescription drugs, or counterfeit money, then leave those items in your car. For example, if your cell phone is in your purse but it is sitting next to a counterfeit $20 you picked up the week before, then do not ask the Fort Worth police officer to get your cell phone for you so you can take it to jail. Specifically, in a Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) investigation, things like bar receipts showing alcohol purchases you leave in your pocket can be used against you in court when found during the search.

Next, jail personnel will complete a medical intake form. This form will include a basic physical evaluation. If you were arrested under suspicion for DWI then whether you appear intoxicated will be included in this basic evaluation. You will be asked questions about your medical history and physical well-being. Any answers you provide could reveal potentially incriminating facts about yourself. Because these are basic identifying questions, you are not protected under the 5th Amendment during this process.

If you have never been through this process before, or it has been a while, it can be frightening. What you will want to know from the moment you are arrested is that you are going to be taken care of. The attorneys at Varghese Summersett PLLC think of every major moment from the time you are investigated through to the conclusion of your case and all the little moments in between.

Central Magistration

As of February of 2018, all the arraignments are taking place at the Tarrant County Jail instead of the local city jails. This means if you are charged with a Class B misdemeanor or higher, your bond will be set by a Tarrant County magistrate instead of a city judge. This means that most inmates get transported from the holding facilities to the downtown location for arraignment.

Where Will an Inmate be Housed in Tarrant County?

If you’re first brought to Tarrant County, you will be processed at the Tarrant County Correction Center downtown Fort Worth at 200 Taylor St. Fort Worth, Texas. However, after the booking process, you may be transferred to the Mansfield Jail or to one of the other four Tarrant County Jail System Facilities: Belknap Facility, Greenbay Facility, Cold Spring Unit, and Lon Evan Corrections Center. Where you housed will depend upon your criminal history, the type of charge for which you are booked in, your age, medical condition, and behavior while in custody. Once you are assigned to a facility, you will be assigned to a bed and provided basic hygiene items.

When Can a Person Visit an Inmate?

• Sunday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Monday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Tuesday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The signing up of visitors shall begin 30 minutes prior to the start of visiting hours. Visitors will not be processed after 8:30 p.m.

How Do You Put Money on Someone’s Books?

Money deposits for inmates are accepted:

Monday – Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Tarrant County Corrections Center

100 N. Lamar – 3rd floor

Fort Worth, TX 76196

How Do You Address Mail to a Tarrant County Inmate?

Sender’s first name and last name

Sender’s home address

City, State, Zip Code

Inmates full name and CID number

C/O Tarrant County Jail

100 N. Lamar

Fort Worth, Texas 76196

Where Can I Post a Bond for Someone in Tarrant County Custody?

Bonds may be posted at any time at the Bond Desk, Tarrant County Corrections Center, 100 N. Lamar, Fort Worth, TX 76196.  Call the Tarrant County Jail Inmate Information Line 817-884-3116, to determine if a bond has been set and the amount of the bond.

• You may check the Tarrant County Inmate Search page.
• Call Tarrant County Jail Information at (817) 884-3116 and (817) 884-3117.
• Get more information at this Tarrant County Jail information page.

TARRANT COUNTY AREA CITY JAILS

Arlington Jail

How to find out if someone is in custody in the Arlington Jail:

1. Check the Arlington Jail Inmate Search by clicking here.
2. Call the Arlington Jail at (817) 459-5648.
3. Visit the Arlington Jail at 620 West Division Street, Arlington, TX 76004

Helpful information about the Arlington Jail:

• Visitation generally occurs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday but is subject to cancellation, without notice, by the Jail Supervisor.
• Visitation is limited to 15 minutes with a maximum of 2 people allowed per visit, per inmate.
• Visitors must be appropriately dressed, be at least 17 years of age, present a valid driver’s license or state-issued identification card and have no outstanding arrest warrants.
• Children under the age of 17 may not visit an inmate and children must not be left unattended in the Jail Lobby or in a vehicle while a parent visits an inmate.
• All visitors may be searched prior to entering the visitation room. Visitors are encouraged to call (817) 459-5648 or (817) 459-5649 to verify visitation approval.

Visitation generally occurs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday but is subject to cancellation, without notice, by the Jail Supervisor. Visitation requirements are:

• Visitation is limited to 15 minutes with a maximum of 2 people allowed per visit, per inmate
• Visitors must be appropriately dressed, be at least 17 years of age, present a valid driver’s license or state-issued identification card and have no outstanding arrest warrants
• Children under the age of 17 may not visit an inmate and children must not be left unattended in the Jail Lobby or in a vehicle while a parent visits an inmate

All visitors may be searched prior to entering the visitation room. Visitors are encouraged to call (817) 459-5648 or (817) 459-5649 to verify visitation approval.

Azle Jail

How to find out if someone is in custody in the Azle Jail:

1. Call the Azle City Jail at (817) 444-3221.
2. Visit the Azle City Jail at 613 SE Parkway, Azle, Texas

Bedford City Jail

You can reach the Bedford Jail by:

1. Calling (817) 952-2430
2. Visiting the jail located at 2121 L Don Dodson Drive, Bedford, Texas.

The Bedford Jail Detention Facility is open 24/7.

Bedford Jail Visitation

You can visit an inmate in the Bedford Jail between 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. daily

Benbrook Jail

If you or a loved one have been arrested in Benbrook, you will want the best criminal defense available. If your loved one is in jail, your first priority will be getting them out. Your second will be finding a Benbrook criminal defense attorney whose top priority is navigating you through the court process.

How to find out if someone is in custody in the Benbrook City Jail:

1. Calling (817) 249-1610 or
2. Visiting the facility at 1080 Mercedes Street, Benbrook, TX 76126.

Blue Mound Jail

How to find out if someone is in custody in the Blue Mound City Jail:

1. Call the Blue Mound City Jail at (817) 232-0661
2. Visit the Blue Mound City Jail at 301 South Blue Mound Road, Blue Mound, Texas.

Burleson Jail

• Burleson uses the Mansfield Jail
• Call the Mansfield Jail at 817-473-8676.
• Visit the Mansfield Jail at 1601 Heritage Pkwy, Mansfield, TX, 76063.
• Get more information on Mansfield Jail.

Colleyville Jail

Inmates are housed at the Keller Regional Detention Center located at 330 Rufe Snow, Keller, TX  76248.

Inmate Search

Dalworthington Gardens Jail

1. You can contact the Dalworthington Gardens by calling 817-275-1234, option 1.
2. You can also visit the Dalworthington Gardens City Jail located at 2600 Roosevelt Drive, Dalworthington Gardens, Texas.

DFW Airport Jail

Did you know that the DFW Airport has its own jail? The facility of often used to house people who forgot they had a handgun in their suitcase or for more serious crimes such as federal drug cases. To find out of someone is being held at the DFW Airport Jail: 

1. You can contact the DFW Airport Jail by calling (972) 574-4454.
2. You can contact the Desk Sergeant at (972) 973-3533.
3. You can also visit the DFW Airport Jail located at 2900 E 28th St. DFW Airport, TX  75261.

If the person does not have a bond set, you should contact a criminal defense attorney about getting a “writ” to get them out of custody. This is a very expensive process to attempt, and may not always work out, but if your loved one is in custody on a holiday, it may be the best route to take.

Euless Jail

How to find out if someone is in custody in the Euless Jail:

• Call the Euless Jail at 817-685-1577 or 817-685-1576.
• Visit the Euless Jail at 1102 W. Euless Blvd, Euless, TX 76040. Visitation generally occurs daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Flower Mound Jail

The City of Flower Mound Jail is located at 2121 Cross Timbers Rd Flower Mound Texas.

City of Flower Mound Jail phone number: (972) 539-0525

Forest Hill Jail

How to find out if someone is in custody in the Forest Hill Jail

1. Call the Forest Hill Jail by calling (817) 535-2193.
2. Visit the Forest Hill Jail located at 3336 Horton Road, Forest Hill, Texas.

Fort Worth Jail

If you or a loved one have been arrested in Fort Worth, your first priority will be getting them out of jail. Your next priority will be finding them the best criminal defense attorney for their needs. Here is some basic information that will assist you in locating your loved or securing their release.

How to find out if someone is in custody in the Fort Worth City Jail:

First, call the Fort Worth Jail at 817-392-4055. This is the general information line. It is important to call this number first because most arrestees are transported to Mansfield Law Enforcement Center, instead of housed in the jail or police department in Fort Worth. Once they are formally charged, if they have not yet bonded out, they will be moved to the Tarrant County Jail.

Find out where your loved one is being held:

• Call the Tarrant County Jail Inmate Information Line 817-884-3116.
• Visit the Tarrant County Corrections Center, 100 N. Lamar, Fort Worth, TX 76196.
• Look them up on the Tarrant County Inmate Locator.
• Call the Mansfield Jail at 817-473-8676.
• Visit the Mansfield Jail at 1601 Heritage Pkwy, Mansfield, TX, 76063.
• Get more information on Mansfield Jail.

Frisco Jail

• Call the Frisco City Jail at (972) 292-6001.
• Visit the Frisco City Jail at 7200 Stonebrook Pkwy, Frisco, TX

Grand Prairie Jail

If your loved one was arrested in Grand Prairie, the first place you will want to check is the Grand Prairie Jail. Here’s some basic information about the Grand Prairie Jail that will help you navigate this process. If they are being charged with a criminal offense, we are here to help.

Grand Prairie Jail Inmate Search

The Grand Prairie Jail houses up to 210 inmates. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Arraignments are generally held daily, between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. You can find an inmate at the Grand Prairie Jail by:

1. Calling the Grand Prairie Jail at 972-237-8947 or 972-237-8951.
2. Visiting the Grand Prairie Jail at 1525 Arkansas Ln. Grand Prairie TX 75052.

Grand Prairie Jail Visitation

Visitation is from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. You can call 972-237-8951 for visitation approval.

Haltom City Jail

How to find out if someone is in custody in the Haltom City Jail

• Call the North Richland Hills Jail by calling (817) 427-7080. (Haltom City generally does not house its own inmates.)

At the North Richland Hills Jail, arraignments are generally held daily at 7:00 a.m., but may occur at alternate times to accommodate magistrate schedules.

Visitation generally occurs daily, from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m.

Hurst Jail

The Hurst City Jail is now located inside the Hurst Justice Center located at 825 Thousand Oaks Drive, Hurst, Texas 76054.

How to find out if someone is in custody in the Hurst City Jail:

1. Call the Hurst City Jail by calling (817) 788-7135.
2. Visit the Hurst City Jail located at 825 Thousand Oaks Drive, Hurst, Texas 76054. Visitation is generally Monday through Friday, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Inmates are often transferred to a Tarrant County facility from the Hurst City Jail.

Keller Jail

How to find out if someone is in custody in the Keller City Jail

1. Call the Keller City Jail by calling (817) 743-4577.
2. Use the Keller Jail Inmate Locator.
3. Visit the Keller City Jail located at 330 Rufe Snow Drive, Keller.

Lake Worth Jail

How to find out if someone is in custody in the Lake Worth City Jail

1. Call the Lake Worth City Jail by calling (817) 237-1211.
2. Visit the Lake Worth City Jail located at 3805 Adam Grubb, Lake Worth.

Mansfield Jail

The Mansfield Jail is located inside the Mansfield Law Enforcement Center located at 1601 Heritage Parkway, Mansfield. You can call the jail between 8 and 5, Monday through Friday at 817-804-5747. You can also get inmate information for Mansfield Jail inmates by calling 817-804-5731. The backup number is 817-804-5737. Individuals arrested in Fort Worth are often housed in Mansfield Jail. Contact information for the Mansfield Jail is available below.

How to find out if someone is in custody in the Mansfield City Jail:

1. Call the Mansfield City Jail at (817) 473-1086.
2. Contact the Mansfield Bond Desk at 817-804-5731.
3. You can check the Mansfield Jail Online Inmate Locator
4. Visit the Mansfield City Jail located at 1601 Heritage Parkway, Mansfield.
5. If the person was arrested by Fort Worth, you may check the Tarrant County Inmate Search page.
6. The phone numbers for Tarrant County Jail Information are Jail Information, (817) 884-3116 and (817) 884-3117.

Mansfield Jail Phone Numbers

Jail Administration: Mon – Fri 8am – 5pm

• 817-804-5729

For Bond Information

• 817-804-5731
• 817-804-5737

For all other Inmate information, 7 days a week between the hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• 817-804-5724

After 10pm

• 817-473-8676

Visiting Mansfield Jail

Visitors must produce a valid form of identification. This can be a Driver’s License, State ID, Passport, etc.  Visitors under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult.

Visitation Hours: 2-10 p.m.

Mondays – No visits

Male Visitation Days – 2-10 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday

Female Visitation Days – 2-10 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Sunday

Each visitation day, there will be 12 visitation sessions on a first-come, first-served basis. Each session will last 30 minutes.

Seating is limited. Inmates are allowed two visits per week. The new week starts each Tuesday.

How to Get Medication to the Mansfield Jail

Contact the Mansfield Jail Medical Office at 817-804-5743. The office is open 24/7.

How to Get to the Mansfield Jail

From Fort Worth, take 287 south to the Heritage Parkway exit. Then turn right on Commerce Dr. Next take a right onto Heritage Parkway and the facility will be on your right.

From Arlington, travel south down Cooper St. / Highway 157 until you reach Mansfield. Once you cross US Hwy 287, turn left and then merge onto US Highway 287 southbound. Take the exit towards Heritage Parkway and then turn right on Commerce Dr. Next take a right onto Heritage Parkway and the facility will be on your right.

From Dallas, travel south down US HWY 67 until you reach Midlothian. Exit and turn right on Old Fort Worth Rd./US HWY 287 BUS. Turn right and merge onto US HWY 287 northbound towards Fort Worth. Exit Heritage Parkway and turn right to loop around and go over the bridge. Turn left onto Heritage Parkway and the facility will be just over the bridge on your right.

Federal Inmates at Mansfield Jail

The Mansfield Jail typically does not release information regarding federal inmates or their charges. You will need to contact the U.S. Marshalls or any other agency that is holding the inmate at the Mansfield facility. To learn more about federal charges

North Richland Hills Jail

How to find out if someone is in custody in the North Richland Hills Jail:

• Call the North Richland Hills City Jail at (817) 427-7080.
• Call North Richland Hills Detention Services at (817) 427-7000 and select option #3. Detention Officers can provide information on a limited basis.
• Visit the North Richland Hills Jail located at 4301 City Point Drive in North Richland Hills, TX 76180.
• The North Richland Hills Jail also houses inmates for Richland Hills, Haltom City, and Watauga.

Arraignments generally take place at 7 a.m. each day. However, this is subject to change based on the magistrate’s availability.

Visitation generally occurs daily from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Pantego Jail

How to find out if someone is in custody in the Pantego Jail:

1. Call the Pantego City Jail at (817) 274-2511.
2. Visit the Pantego City Jail located at 2600 Miller Lane, Pantego.

Richland Hills Jail

How to find out if someone is in custody in the North Richland Hills Jail

• Call the North Richland Hills Jail at (817) 427-7080. (Richland Hills does not house its own inmates.)

At the North Richland Hills Jail, arraignments are generally held daily at 7:00 a.m., but may occur at alternate times to accommodate magistrate schedules.

Visitation generally occurs daily, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Saginaw Jail

The Saginaw Jail is located at  505 W McLeroy Blvd, Saginaw, TX 76179.

Their phone number is (817) 232-0311

Southlake Jail

If you have a loved one arrested in Southlake, your first goal will be locating them and getting them out of custody. We’ve put together the following information to get you started.

How to find out if someone is in custody with Southlake:

• Southlake regularly uses the City of Keller Jail. Contact the City of Keller Jail at 817-743-4577.
• Use the City of Keller Inmate Locator.
• Visit the City of Keller Jail at 330 Rufe Snow Drive, Keller, Texas 76248.
• Call Southlake Detention at (817) 481-5581.
• Visit the Southlake Police Station located at 600 State Street, Southlake, Texas.

Trophy Club Jail

How to find out if someone is in custody in the Trophy Club City Jail:

1. Call the Trophy Club Jail at the Police Department at (972)-434-5500.
2. Visit the Trophy Club Jail at the Police Department at 100 Municipal Drive Trophy Club, TX 76262

Watauga Jail

The City of Watauga does not use a Watauga Jail. Instead, the City of Watauga contracts with the city of North Richland Hills to house its inmates.

If your loved one is in jail, your first priority will be getting them out. Here are some tips to get you started:

North Richland Hills Jail Inmate Search

Call the North Richland Hills Jail at (817) 427-7080.

At the North Richland Hills Jail, arraignments are generally held daily at 7:00 a.m., but may occur at alternate times to accommodate magistrate schedules.

Visitation generally occurs daily, from 1:00 p.m. to  5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

White Settlement Jail

How to find out if someone is in custody in the White Settlement City Jail:

1. Call the White Settlement Jail at (817) 246-7070.
2. Visit the White Settlement Jail located at 8900 Clifford Street, White Settlement.

Should You Hire an Attorney or Bondsman First?

Here are some reasons you should hire an attorney before you hire a bondsman if you are charged with a serious criminal offense:

The bond may be set too high.

You will have no idea if the bond that was set on your loved one’s case is reasonable or not. An attorney will be able to determine whether the bond is within the range customary to your location. A bondsman has little incentive to tell you that the bond is set high because a higher bond translates to a higher fee.

The bond may not have been set.

If you are charged with a criminal offense but bond has not been set, you will want to talk to a criminal defense attorney immediately who can approach a judge on your behalf to get a bond set or to file a writ of habeas corpus for your release.

The attorney advantage.

The sooner an experienced criminal defense attorney is working on your case, the sooner the charges may be reduced or dropped. It is even more important on a felony case to involve a criminal defense attorney early in the process because felony cases must go through the Grand Jury process. A skillful criminal defense attorney can use the grand jury process to your advantage.

You may not need a bondsman.

You may be able to post a cash bond or their might be other ways to secure you loved one’s release. For instance, Tarrant County Pre-Trial Release is a way for qualified prisoners to be released without paying a bond. Pre-trial release is a personal bond, or promise, to appear. Tarrant County Pre-Trial Release is responsible for gathering and reviewing information about a prisoner to determine whether to release the prisoner from custody. Your loved one may also be eligible for release on mental health bond conditions or a personal recognizance bond.

Posting a Cash Bond

Bonds may be posted at any time, 24 hours a day, at the Bond Desk of the Tarrant County Corrections Center, 100 N. Lamar, Fort Worth, TX 76196. Learn more about cash bonds and bonding someone out of jail.

Pretrial Release: A Bond Alternative in Tarrant County

Tarrant County Pretrial Services provides a way for an inmate to be released from custody without putting up a cash bond or going through a bondsman. Pretrial Services is available to individuals charged with:

• Class A and B misdemeanors and
• Non-violent felonies.

To be eligible for release through pretrial services, the defendant:

• Must be a resident of Tarrant County or reside within a 50-mile radius.

• Must be in jail on a Tarrant County offense
• Must provide positive identification
• Must not be on parole or probation nor have any previous felony convictions
• Must be willing to appear in court for all scheduled court appearances until the case is disposed
• Defendants who have first degree felonies or who have a history of bond forfeitures are excluded from consideration unless ordered by a judge.

Contact Tarrant County Pretrial Release at 817-884-1465 if you believe you or a loved one may be eligible for Pretrial release. The fee is $20 or 3 percent of the amount of the bond, whichever is greater.

What does it mean when a person is “booked” into jail?

This is an administrative process documenting a prisoner’s entrance into the jail. The process includes collecting information such as the person’s name, address, reason for the arrest (criminal charge(s)), and inventorying personal property. A photograph and fingerprints are taken as well.

What occurs during an arraignment?

An arraignment is a formal meeting between a judge and a prisoner. The judge informs the prisoner of his or her charge(s), reads the prisoner his or her rights, and advises the prisoner of the bond amount. If the prisoner qualifies, an attorney is also appointed during arraignment.

How may I get a prisoner’s property?

Prisoner property can only be released after the prisoner grants written permission authorizing the release. To claim prisoner property it is necessary to:

• Complete a property release form
• Present a driver’s license or a state-issued identification card

May a prisoner make free phone calls?

Prisoners are allowed to place limited free telephone calls once the booking process has been completed. A prisoner also has the opportunity to make collect phone calls from inside a cell block.

What is an Alias Warrant?

This is a warrant where no plea has been entered. A prisoner, bail bond company, or an attorney can post a bond for this type of warrant. The bond assures that the prisoner will appear in court.

What is a Capias Warrant?

This is a warrant where a plea has been entered and the prisoner did not follow through with the court agreement. The only way to resolve a Capias warrant is to pay the fine in full or be released “time served” by remaining in jail until enough jail credit has been earned.

Texas State Jail Facilities

State Jail Facilities were designed to ease the growing prison populations. There are 20 State Jail facilities in Texas today, including the private facilities.

Texas State Jail Locations and Phone Numbers

Locate an Inmate in Texas State Jail

You can locate a loved one in by checking the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Inmate Locator

What’s the Difference between Jail and Prison?

Technically, there are three types of lock-ups in Texas: county jail, state jail and prison. None are ideal places to live, of course, but there are distinct differences between the three. Where an inmate ends up primarily depends on the length of their stay. Here’s a look at the difference between jail and prison in Texas, including which ones have air conditioning:

County Jail

In general, county jail is a temporary facility for individuals who have been charged with a crime but are unable to post bail. They are housed in the county jail with other inmates while awaiting trial or resolution of their case, which can sometimes take weeks or months.

County jails also house people who have been convicted of a misdemeanor and received a sentence of less than a year. Good time credit is often available for those serving time in county lockup, which could lessen their time behind bars.

County jails are usually run by the local sheriff’s department, which is tasked with the custody and care of inmates, including getting them and to and from court. Depending on the size of the facility, county jails can house a few inmates or several thousand, according to a recent population report from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards. It’s important to point out that not everyone in county jail has been or will be convicted of a crime.

State Jail

Unlike county jails, all inmates in a state jail facility have been convicted of a crime. A state jail facility is basically a minimum-security prison for low-level offenders who are serving six months to two years for committing a state jail felony. State jail facilities also temporarily house other inmates awaiting transfer to prison.

State jail facilities, which are under the control of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, were created in the early 1990s to reduce prison overcrowding. Currently, there are 18 state jails in Texas, which house about 9,500 offenders. State jails are geared for inmate rehabilitation and offer educational, vocational and substance abuse programs for non-violent offenders.

Interestingly, inmates in state jail facilities cannot earn good conduct time or parole, which is different than inmates in county lock-up or prison. However, some state jail offenders may be eligible for diligent participation credit, which will allow them to earn time credit by diligently participating in work, education or treatment programs.

Prison

Generally speaking, prison – which is also commonly referred to as the penitentiary —are long-term, high-security facilities. State prisons, which are operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, are reserved for inmates who have been convicted of first, second or third degree felonies for breaking a state law. Currently, more than 135,000 inmates are housed in Texas’ prison units. Unless an inmate has been sentenced to death or life in prison without parole, inmates in a state prison will become eligible for parole in Texas – that is, eligible for release before completion of their entire sentence.

Federal prisons, which are run by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, house inmates who have been convicted of a federal crime. There are more than 191,579 federal inmates across the country. There is no parole for federal defendants convicted of crimes committed after November 1, 1987, although some prisoners may be able to shave time off their sentences with “good time credit” for exemplary behavior.

Difference between Jail and Prison

The fundamental difference between jail and prison in Texas is the length of stay for inmates. Jails are locally operated, short-term facilities that house inmates accused of a crime or convicted of a low-level offense. Prisons are long-term lockups that are operated by the state or federal government and house inmates convicted of a serious crime or a felony. Another important difference between jail and prison is air-conditioning. County jails and federal prisons have it; most state prisons do not.

So while the differences between jail and prison in Texas are distinct, one thing is the same: Most people would rather not see the inside of any of them.

Texas Prison Inmate Locator

If you are looking for an inmate in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, you can find an inmate using any of the following:

• the last name AND at least the first initial of the first name, or
• the TDCJ number, or
• the SID (state identification) number.

Click here for the Texas Prison Inmate Locator

Texas Prison Locations, Addresses, and Phone Numbers

Tarrant County Juvenile Detention Center

1. Call Tarrant County Juvenile Detention Center at (817) 838-4610
2. Visit the Tarrant County Juvenile Detention Center at 2701 Kimbo Road, Fort Worth, TX 76111.

Federal Prison Inmate Locator

Click here to locate an inmate inside a federal prison.

Inmates in County Facilities in Texas

Tarrant County Inmate Locator

Harris County Inmate Locator

Denton County Inmate Locator

Dallas County Inmate Locator

Fort Bend County Inmate Locator

Montgomery County Inmate Locator

Bexar County Inmate List

Williamson County Inmate Locator

Travis County Inmate Locator

Cameron County Inmate List

Collin County Inmate Locator

Nueces County Inmate Locator

El Paso County Inmate Locator

Brazoria County Inmate Locator

Hidalgo County Inmate Locator

Tarrant County Criminal Defense Attorneys

Varghese Summersett PLLC is here to assist you when you have been arrested or charged with a criminal offense. We handle all levels of state and federal criminal offenses. This includes driving while intoxicated cases, white collar crimes, drug crimes, and crimes against persons or property.

Contact Our Tarrant County Criminal Defense Lawyers

Our team of former prosecutors and Board Certified Criminal Lawyers understand what is at stake when you are facing a criminal charge. Don’t go at it alone. Contact us or have a loved one contact us to:

• Discuss the facts of your case;
• Discuss the legal issues involved, including the direct and collateral consequences of the allegation; and
• Discuss the defenses that apply to your plan and in general terms discuss our approach to your case.

View our recent results.

Everything you need to know about Bail Bonds