Dallas County TX Jail Details & Overview
If you or a loved one are incarcerated in the Dallas County Jail, you likely have questions and are looking for information. We have compiled the facts about the Dallas County Jail and what you can expect if you are an inmate or have a loved one in jail.
Dallas County Jail Detention Centers
Dallas County is home to five detention centers. The Dallas County Sheriff’s Department oversees the operation of all five detention centers, which house the following.
- Inmates who have not posted bail and are awaiting their trial
- Inmates who have gone through their trial and are awaiting transfer to a state or federal prison
- Individuals summoned to a hearing by a judge
The five detention centers in Dallas County have a maximum capacity of 7,100 inmates with 900 staff members. These detention centers are self-sufficient and operate 24/7, even on federal holidays.
Dallas County Jail Contact Information
- Lew Sterrett Justice Center
(214) 875-2460
111 Commerce St
Dallas, TX 75207
- North Tower Detention Facility
(214) 761-9025
111 West Commerce Street
Dallas Texas 75202
- West Tower Detention Facility
(214) 761-9025
111 West Commerce Street
Dallas Texas 75202
- Suzanne Lee Kays Detention Facility
(214) 962-5800
111 West Commerce Street
Dallas Texas 75202
- George Allen
214-653-6092
600 Commerce Street
Dallas, TX 75202
Dallas County Jail Inmate Information
The Dallas County Sheriff’s Department operates a website that allows friends and family members to look up information on Dallas County jail inmate search online. You can access this information 24/7 by typing in the full name, race, date of birth, and sex of the inmate. If you cannot find information on an inmate or view jail mugshots in Dallas county, you may call the Sheriff's Office at (214) 749-8641.
Inmate Telephone Privileges
The Dallas County Jail has partnered with Securus Technologies™ to connect inmates with their friends and loved ones. You can set up an account to speak with an inmate by visiting the website. Securus allows family and friends to talk to inmates through Apple and Android smartphones, tablets, and PCs.
Dallas County Jail Visitation Information
The Dallas County Jail offers video visits for inmates. It is important to note that these visits are a privilege, not a right. Any inmate or visitor who does not follow the rules will lose their privileges.
All video visits must be scheduled 72 hours in advance and are recorded. All visitors must register and must be over the age of 17. The jail offers both on-site and off-site video visits. You can schedule a video visit by visiting www.securustech.net.
Inmates are not restricted in the number of off-site video visits they can have in a week, but they can only have two on-site visits. Each video visit may last up to 20 minutes.
Rules for Video Visits
- No nudity, tight-fitting clothing, or provocative clothing (the first violation of this rule results in a ban of on-site and off-site video visits for 30 days, the second violation leads to 60-day bans, and a third violation leads to a permanent ban)
- No display of contraband, including gang signs, weapons, drugs, gang colors, or drug paraphernalia
- Video visits will be canceled if visitors appear under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- No pictures are allowed
- Do not cause damage to the video equipment
- Provocative and disruptive behavior will not be allowed
On-Site Video Visitation Hours
- Monday: 8:00 am – 8:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am – 8:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am – 8:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am – 8:30 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am – 8:30 pm
- Sunday: 8:00 am – 8:30 pm
Children under the age of 17 cannot visit during the week. Video visits are not available on Wednesdays.
Dallas County Jail Inmate Programs and Services
The Dallas County Jail offers multiple programs and services for inmates.
- Home for Hounds Program
- The Religious Services Section
- Educational Programs, including GED, ESL Classes, and College Classes
- Law Libraries
- Television and Radio Programs
- Personal Hygiene Kits for Indigent Inmates (Those having less than $5 in their accounts)
- HIV/AIDS Education
- Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous
- Anger Management
- Employment
- Substance Abuse
- Male Parenting Classes
- Male Family Violence
How to Send Mail to a Dallas County Jail Inmate
Inmates can receive mail at any time. Make sure to include the inmate’s name and book-in number.
Example: John Doe #05123456
Next, fill in the inmate’s location.
Example: Tank #11 S 14
P.O. Box # 660334
Dallas, Texas 75266-0334
Mail is never forwarded to the inmate once they are released and gets returned to the sender.
If you want to send an inmate a book, magazine, or newspaper, it must come from a bookstore, such as Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Lifeway, etc. Inmates may only possess five books at a time. Hardback books are prohibited.
The following cannot be mailed to inmates:
- Anything considered illegal material by the Texas Penal Code
- Glue, paper clips, staples, magnets, stickers, glass, plastic, metal, electronic devices, wood, cloth, or any like material
- Writing materials such as stamps, blank paper, pencils, pens, or stationary
- Unsigned greeting cards
- Greeting cards that are larger than 8” X 10”
- Greeting cards that contain ribbons, strings, beads, glitter, padding, music, clasps, metal, or confetti
- Photos larger than 8” X 10”
- Photos that depict pornography, violence, or obscenity
- Polaroid photographs
- Profanity on the envelope
- Calling cards, bookmarks, and bus passes
- Clothing
- Perishable items
- Writing or drawings in crayon, colored pencils, or markers
- Mail with stains or unidentifiable marks
- Jewelry
- Glued surfaces
- Any items that are unidentifiable
You may send money orders to an inmate by making them payable to the “Inmate Trust Fund.” The jail will also accept social security checks and general checks made payable to the inmate.
How to Send Money to Dallas County Jail Inmates
Inmates in the Dallas County Jail can obtain an Inmate Trust Fund and access their funds through a barcode on their bracelets. Any cash on the inmate’s person will be deposited into their trust fund account after arrest.
If you would like to deposit money into an inmate's trust fund, you have a few options, including the following.
- Cash can be deposited into the inmate’s account at kiosks located in the jail.
- You can find retailers that allow you to make deposits at www.CashPayToday.com. This deposit requires a flat fee of $5.00.
- You can also make deposits online at www.inmatedeposits.com. Fees for these deposits are as low as $2.95.
- Friends and family can also make deposits by calling 1-866-345-1884. Fees for these deposits are as low as $3.95.
Dallas County Jail Health Services
Health services are available at the inmate's request and are subject to appropriate fees that may be deducted from the trust fund, so long as the deduction does not cause the balance to drop below $6.00. The schedule of fees is as follows.
- $10.00 for each requested visit
- $10.00 for each health record request
Exceptions to Health Services Fees
- Inmates are not charged for intake nursing assessments.
- Inmates are not charged for mental or medical health assessments within the MAP or PAP programs.
- Inmates are not charged fees for closed behavioral observation.
- Inmates are not charged fees for crisis stabilization services.
- Inmates are not charged fees for participating in mental health therapy groups.
- Inmates are not charged fees for physician-scheduled follow-up appointments.
- Inmates are not charged for STD testing or TB testing.
Inmates will not be refused medical services because of an inability to pay.