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, Texas, this comprehensive guide will help you navigate the process of finding an inmate, understanding bond procedures, and securing release from custody. We’ve compiled all the essential information about Tarrant County’s jail system, local city jails, and the legal processes involved.

How Long Does It Take to Bond Someone Out of Jail in Tarrant County?

Short answer: Generally 24-48 hours.

Detailed timeline: Several factors affect the release timeline. When arrested, a person may be taken to a city jail or directly to the Tarrant County Jail in downtown Fort Worth. The booking process typically takes 4-6 hours and includes identification, fingerprinting, iris scanning, and photographing. After booking, the arrestee waits for magistration, where a judge sets bond—this takes another 4-6 hours.

Once bond is set, it can be posted through a bondsman or as a cash bond. Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 17, defendants have the right to reasonable bail in most cases. The booking-out process after bond is posted can take 4-24 hours. Due to current staffing challenges at the Tarrant County Jail, processing times may be longer than historical averages.

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

1. Check the Tarrant County Inmate Search
2. Check local city jails (Arlington, Mansfield, Keller, etc.)
3. Hire a criminal defense attorney
4. Follow the attorney’s advice regarding bond and next steps

Tarrant County Jail Information

If an arrested individual is not in custody at a local city jail, they may have been transported to a Tarrant County facility. Tarrant County operates five jail facilities with a combined capacity of approximately 5,000 inmates.

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 online
2. Call Tarrant County Jail Information: (817) 884-3116 or (817) 884-3117
3. Visit the Tarrant County Jail at 100 N. Lamar St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
4. Check the Mansfield Jail Inmate Search (Fort Worth arrestees are often housed here)
5. Call Mansfield Jail at (817) 804-5731

What Happens When You Are Booked into Tarrant County?

The booking process involves several steps under Texas law. When you arrive at the jail, you will be asked to identify yourself, then questioned, fingerprinted, given an iris scan, and photographed for jail records. Your fingerprints may be run against state and federal databases to check for additional warrants or outstanding cases.

A unique County Identification Number (CID) is assigned during this process, which will identify you in all future Tarrant County criminal matters. You will be searched, and personal items will be inventoried. Depending on the offense type, you may undergo a more thorough search.

Important: Everything you bring into jail can be searched, and personal items will be placed in storage. Prosecutors can request property inventories to use as evidence. Under Texas Penal Code § 38.11, bringing contraband into a correctional facility is a felony offense.

Jail personnel will complete a medical intake form, including a basic physical evaluation. If you were arrested for DWI, whether you appear intoxicated will be noted. Answers to medical questions could reveal potentially incriminating information, and the Fifth Amendment does not protect you during basic booking questions.

Standard jail-issued items include: a jail uniform, sandals, mattress, mattress cover, towel, and blanket.

Central Magistration

All arraignments for Class B misdemeanor or higher offenses take place at the Tarrant County Jail in downtown Fort Worth, rather than at local city jails. A Tarrant County magistrate sets bonds according to guidelines established under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 17.15. This means most inmates are transported from local holding facilities to the downtown location for arraignment.

Where Will an Inmate be Housed in Tarrant County?

New arrestees are initially processed at the Tarrant County Corrections Center at 200 Taylor St, Fort Worth. After booking, inmates may be transferred to one of the following facilities based on criminal history, charge type, age, medical condition, and behavior:

• Tarrant County Corrections Center – 100 N. Lamar St, Fort Worth, TX 76196
• Mansfield Law Enforcement Center – 1601 Heritage Parkway, Mansfield, TX 76063
• Greenbay Facility – 2500 Urban Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76106
• Cold Springs Unit – 1815 Cold Springs Road, Fort Worth, TX 76106
• Lon Evans Corrections Center

Tarrant County Jail Visitation Schedule

Visitation is organized by the first letter of the inmate’s last name. Each inmate is permitted one 30-minute visit per day, with a maximum of three visits per week. No more than two adults may visit at one time. Visitor sign-up begins 30 minutes before visiting hours.

Last Names A-L:

• Saturday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Monday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Friday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Last Names M-Z:

• Sunday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Friday: 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Note: Visitors will not be processed after 8:30 p.m. (or 2:30 p.m. for early Friday sessions). Visitors who were incarcerated in a Tarrant County detention facility within the past six months will not be approved for visitation. Out-of-town visitors residing more than 150 miles from Fort Worth may receive 40-minute visits.

How Do You Put Money on Someone’s Books?

Money deposits for inmates are accepted Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at:

Tarrant County Corrections Center
100 N. Lamar – 3rd Floor
Fort Worth, TX 76196

Note: The detention bureau no longer accepts cash by mail or in person. Only U.S. Postal and Western Union money orders are accepted by mail.

How Do You Address Mail to a Tarrant County Inmate?

Format your mail as follows:

[Sender’s Full Name]
[Sender’s Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]

[Inmate’s Full Name] [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?

Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 17.02, a bail bond is a written undertaking for the appearance of the defendant before the court. Bonds may be posted 24 hours a day at:

Bond Desk
Tarrant County Corrections Center
100 N. Lamar
Fort Worth, TX 76196

Call (817) 884-3116 or (817) 884-3117 to confirm bond amount and status.

Tarrant County Area City Jails

Arlington Jail

How to find out if someone is in custody:

1. Check the Arlington Jail Inmate Search
2. Call (817) 459-5648
3. Visit: 620 West Division Street, Arlington, TX 76011

Visitation: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday (subject to cancellation). Limited to 15 minutes with maximum 2 visitors per inmate. Visitors must be at least 17 years old with valid ID.

Azle Jail

1. Call (817) 444-3221
2. Visit: 613 SE Parkway, Azle, TX

Bedford City Jail

1. Call (817) 952-2430
2. Visit: 2121 L Don Dodson Drive, Bedford, TX

Visitation: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. daily. Open 24/7.

Benbrook Jail

1. Call (817) 249-1610
2. Visit: 1080 Mercedes Street, Benbrook, TX 76126

Blue Mound Jail

1. Call (817) 232-0661
2. Visit: 301 South Blue Mound Road, Blue Mound, TX

Burleson Jail

Burleson uses the Mansfield Jail:

1. Call (817) 804-5731
2. Visit: 1601 Heritage Pkwy, Mansfield, TX 76063

Colleyville Jail

Inmates are housed at Keller Regional Detention Center:

• Address: 330 Rufe Snow, Keller, TX 76248
• Inmate Search

Dalworthington Gardens Jail

1. Call (817) 275-1234, option 1
2. Visit: 2600 Roosevelt Drive, Dalworthington Gardens, TX

DFW Airport Jail

The DFW Airport has its own detention facility, often used for weapon violations under Texas Penal Code § 46.03 and federal drug cases.

1. Call DFW Airport Jail: (972) 973-3210
2. Call Desk Sergeant: (972) 973-3533
3. Visit: 2900 E 28th St, DFW Airport, TX 75261

Euless Jail

1. Call (817) 685-1577 or (817) 685-1576
2. Visit: 1102 W. Euless Blvd, Euless, TX 76040

Visitation: Daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Flower Mound Jail

• Address: 2121 Cross Timbers Rd, Flower Mound, TX
• Phone: (972) 539-0525

Forest Hill Jail

1. Call (817) 531-5250
2. Visit: 3336 Horton Road, Forest Hill, TX

Fort Worth Jail

The Fort Worth Police Department does not maintain its own jail facility. Arrestees are transported to Mansfield Law Enforcement Center.

To locate someone arrested in Fort Worth:

1. Call Fort Worth Jail Information: (817) 392-4055
2. Call Tarrant County Jail: (817) 884-3116
3. Check the Tarrant County Inmate Locator
4. Call Mansfield Jail: (817) 804-5731
5. Visit Mansfield Jail: 1601 Heritage Pkwy, Mansfield, TX 76063

Frisco Jail

1. Call (972) 292-6001
2. Visit: 7200 Stonebrook Pkwy, Frisco, TX

Grand Prairie Jail

The Grand Prairie Jail houses up to 210 inmates and is open 24/7. Arraignments are generally held daily between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.

1. Call (972) 237-8947 or (972) 237-8951
2. Visit: 1525 Arkansas Ln, Grand Prairie, TX 75052

Visitation: Sundays 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Call (972) 237-8951 for approval.

Haltom City Jail

Haltom City contracts with North Richland Hills for inmate housing:

• Call North Richland Hills Jail: (817) 427-7080
• Arraignments: Daily at 7:00 a.m.
• Visitation: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m.

Hurst Jail

1. Call (817) 788-7135
2. Visit: 825 Thousand Oaks Drive, Hurst, TX 76054

Visitation: Monday through Friday, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Inmates are often transferred to Tarrant County facilities.

Keller Jail

1. Call (817) 743-4577
2. Use the Keller Jail Inmate Locator
3. Visit: 330 Rufe Snow Drive, Keller, TX

Lake Worth Jail

1. Call (817) 237-1211
2. Visit: 3805 Adam Grubb, Lake Worth, TX

Mansfield Jail

The Mansfield Law Enforcement Center serves as the primary detention facility for Fort Worth Police Department arrests and several surrounding cities.

Address: 1601 Heritage Parkway, Mansfield, TX 76063

Phone Numbers:

• Jail Administration (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm): (817) 804-5729
• Bond Information: (817) 804-5731 or (817) 804-5737
• General Inmate Information: (817) 804-5724
• After 10pm: (817) 804-5724

How to find an inmate:

1. Check the Mansfield Jail Online Inmate Locator
2. Call (817) 804-5731
3. Check the Tarrant County Inmate Search (if arrested by Fort Worth PD)

Mansfield Jail Visitation

Visitation hours: 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. (12 sessions, 30 minutes each, first-come first-served).

• Male Visitation: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
• Female Visitation: Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
• Monday: No visitation

Visitors must present valid ID. Visitors under 17 must be accompanied by an adult. Inmates are allowed two visits per week (week starts Tuesday). Visitation office: (817) 804-5724.

How to Get Medication to Mansfield Jail

Contact the Medical Office at (817) 804-5743 (open 24/7).

Driving Directions to Mansfield Jail

From Fort Worth: Take 287 South to Heritage Parkway exit. Turn right on Commerce Dr, then right onto Heritage Parkway.

From Arlington: Take Cooper St/Highway 157 south to US-287 southbound. Exit Heritage Parkway, turn right on Commerce Dr, then right onto Heritage Parkway.

From Dallas: Take US-67 south to Midlothian. Exit Old Fort Worth Rd/US-287 BUS and merge onto US-287 northbound. Exit Heritage Parkway, turn left onto Heritage Parkway.

North Richland Hills Jail

1. Call (817) 427-7080
2. Call Detention Services: (817) 427-7000, option 3
3. Visit: 4301 City Point Drive, North Richland Hills, TX 76180

Also houses inmates for Richland Hills, Haltom City, and Watauga.

Arraignments: Daily at 7:00 a.m.
Visitation: Daily 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m.

Pantego Jail

1. Call (817) 274-2511
2. Visit: 2600 Miller Lane, Pantego, TX

Saginaw Jail

• Address: 505 W McLeroy Blvd, Saginaw, TX 76179
• Phone: (817) 232-0311

Southlake Jail

Southlake regularly uses the City of Keller Jail:

1. Call Keller Jail: (817) 743-4577
2. Use the City of Keller Inmate Locator
3. Visit: 330 Rufe Snow Drive, Keller, TX 76248
4. Call Southlake Detention: (817) 481-5581

Trophy Club Jail

1. Call (972) 434-5500
2. Visit: 100 Municipal Drive, Trophy Club, TX 76262

Watauga Jail

Watauga contracts with North Richland Hills for inmate housing. See North Richland Hills Jail information above.

White Settlement Jail

1. Call (817) 246-7070
2. Visit: 8900 Clifford Street, White Settlement, TX

Note: This is a temporary holding facility with no visitation. Detainees are transferred to Tarrant County Jail daily.

Should You Hire an Attorney or Bondsman First?

For serious criminal offenses, consider hiring an attorney before a bondsman for these reasons:

The bond may be set too high. Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 17.15, bail must be set high enough to ensure appearance but not used as punishment. An attorney can evaluate whether the bond is reasonable and file a motion for bond reduction if necessary.

The bond may not have been set. If charged with a criminal offense but no bond has been set, an attorney can approach a judge directly or file a writ of habeas corpus under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 11 to secure release.

The attorney advantage. Early attorney involvement may result in reduced or dismissed charges. For felony cases that must go through the Grand Jury process, a skilled defense attorney can present evidence favorable to the defendant before indictment.

You may not need a bondsman. Alternatives include posting a cash bond directly, Tarrant County Pretrial Release (personal bond), mental health bond conditions, or personal recognizance bonds under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 17.03.

Posting a Cash Bond

Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 17.02, defendants may deposit cash equal to the bond amount directly with the court in lieu of using a bondsman. Cash bonds may be posted 24 hours a day at the Bond Desk, Tarrant County Corrections Center, 100 N. Lamar, Fort Worth, TX 76196. Cash bonds are fully refundable upon case completion, minus any court costs or fees.

Pretrial Release: A Bond Alternative in Tarrant County

Tarrant County Pretrial Services provides release without a cash bond or bondsman for eligible defendants charged with Class A and B misdemeanors and non-violent felonies.

Eligibility requirements:

• Must be a Tarrant County resident or reside within 50 miles
• Must be in jail on a Tarrant County offense
• Must provide positive identification
• Must not be on parole or probation
• Must not have any prior felony convictions
• Must agree to appear at all court dates until case disposition
• First degree felonies or history of bond forfeitures generally excluded

Contact: Tarrant County Pretrial Release at (817) 884-1465
Fee: $20 or 3% of bond amount, whichever is greater

Jail Process Terminology

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

Booking is the administrative process documenting a prisoner’s entrance into jail. It includes collecting the person’s name, address, reason for arrest (criminal charges), and inventorying personal property. A photograph (mugshot) and fingerprints are taken.

What occurs during an arraignment?

Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 15.17, the judge informs the prisoner of charges, reads their rights (including the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney), and sets bond. If the defendant qualifies financially, counsel may be appointed.

How may I get a prisoner’s property?

Property can only be released with written permission from the prisoner. You must complete a property release form and present a valid driver’s license or state-issued ID.

May a prisoner make free phone calls?

Prisoners may place limited free local calls after the booking process. Collect calls to numbers outside the local area are available from inside cell blocks.

What is an Alias Warrant?

An alias warrant is issued when no plea has been entered. A prisoner, bail bond company, or attorney can post bond to resolve this type of warrant.

What is a Capias Warrant?

A capias warrant is issued when a plea has been entered but the defendant failed to comply with court requirements. Resolution requires paying the fine in full or remaining in jail until enough “time served” credit is earned.

What’s the Difference Between Jail and Prison in Texas?

County Jail

County jails are locally operated, short-term facilities housing individuals who have been charged but are unable to post bail, or those convicted of misdemeanors with sentences under one year. Run by the local sheriff’s department, county jails hold both pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates. Importantly, not everyone in county jail has been or will be convicted.

State Jail

Texas state jails are minimum-security facilities for offenders serving 6 months to 2 years for state jail felonies under Texas Penal Code § 12.35. Operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), the 18 state jails in Texas house approximately 9,500 offenders. State jail inmates cannot earn good conduct time or parole, though some may qualify for diligent participation credit.

Prison

State prisons are long-term, high-security facilities for inmates convicted of first, second, or third degree felonies. Texas state prisons house over 135,000 inmates. Federal prisons, operated by the Bureau of Prisons, house those convicted of federal crimes. State inmates may become eligible for parole; federal inmates convicted of crimes after November 1, 1987, are not eligible for parole but may earn “good time” credit.

Key difference: County jails and federal prisons have air conditioning; most Texas state prisons do not.

Texas State Jail Facilities

Texas has 18 state jail facilities operated by TDCJ, plus several private facilities. For complete information, use the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Inmate Locator.

Texas Prison Inmate Locator

To locate an inmate in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system, use any of the following:

• Last name AND at least the first initial of the first name
• TDCJ number
• SID (state identification) number

Access the Texas Prison Inmate Locator

Tarrant County Juvenile Detention Center

1. Call (817) 838-4610
2. Visit: 2701 Kimbo Road, Fort Worth, TX 76111

Visiting hours: Noon to 7:45 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. on weekends. Visitors must be immediate family, the attorney representing the juvenile, or clergy.

Federal Prison Inmate Locator

Click here to locate an inmate in a federal prison

Texas County Inmate Locators

• 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
• Collin County Inmate Locator
• Nueces County Inmate Locator
• El Paso County Inmate Locator
• Brazoria County Inmate Locator
• Hidalgo County Inmate Locator

Contact Our Tarrant County Criminal Defense Attorneys

Varghese Summersett PLLC handles all levels of state and federal criminal offenses, including DWI cases, white collar crimes, drug crimes, and crimes against persons or property. Our team of former prosecutors and Board Certified Criminal Lawyers understand what’s at stake when facing criminal charges.

We will:

• Discuss the facts of your case
• Explain the legal issues, including direct and collateral consequences
• Discuss applicable defenses and our approach to your case

View our recent results

Everything you need to know about Bail Bonds

Related Resources

• Texas Code of Criminal Procedure – Chapter 17 (Bail)
• Texas Penal Code – Chapter 12 (Punishments)
• Texas Department of Criminal Justice
• Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office – Detention Bureau