Tarrant County TX Jail Details & Overview

Once you or a loved one become arrested, learning about the Tarrant County Jail and its rules and regulations will make life easier and less stressful. We have compiled a directory of information to help you understand what to expect when visiting the jail, sending money to an inmate, or depositing funds into an inmate’s account. 

History of the Tarrant County Jail

The old Tarrant County Jail finished construction in 1963, with staff members and inmates moving in on May 1, 1963. The old Tarrant County Jail was 11 stories and housed up to 600 inmates on floors 5 through 10. 

In the 1980s, a new Sheriff’s office was constructed, and three floors of this new building were dedicated to housing inmates, bringing the capacity to over 1,000. Today, the Tarrant County Jail can hold a maximum of 5,000 inmates and features 15 floors.

Contact Information for the Tarrant County Jail

The phone number for the Tarrant County Jail is (817) 884-3000, and the jail is located at the following address. 

100 N Lamar St.

Fort Worth, TX 76196

How to Look Up Information on Inmates in the Tarrant County Jail

If you need to look up information on inmates in the Tarrant County Jail, you can visit the website or perform a Tarrant County jail inmate search online. Search by first and last name, sex, race, and CID. This website is operated by the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office and is available 24 hours daily. Also, you can view jail mugshots in Tarrant County.

If you have difficulties finding information on an inmate, you can contact the following phone number: (817) 884-3000. While inmate information is updated regularly, delays may occur, especially during the intake process. 

Health Services Provided to Inmates in Tarrant County Jail

The Tarrant County Jail offers full medical services for inmates. These services are provided to all inmates, regardless of their ability to pay fees. The following are the medical services provided by the County Jail. 

Medical Services

  • Emergency medical services
  • Assessment of new illnesses
  • Monitoring of chronic conditions

Vision Services

  • Eye examinations are provided
  • Eyeglasses are not provided

Dental Services

  • Triage services for acute dental complaints
  • Treatment for oral trauma and abscesses
  • Tooth extraction services

Medication Services

  • Medications are administered by licensed staff members and according to doctor’s orders.
  • Inmates may purchase some over-the-counter medications from the commissary.

Inmates must fill out a medical release form to allow family members to learn information about their health records. 

Inmate Phone Privileges

Inmates have access to free phone calls during the booking process only. Inmates may use the free phones to call family or friends, arrange bail, or contact an attorney. Local calls are free, and inmates may call collect outside of the local area.

Recreational Library and Law Library

There are two libraries in the Tarrant County Jail. The recreational reading materials are distributed to inmates weekly via a mobile book cart. 

Inmates are allowed to have magazines, newspaper subscriptions, and books, but these must be shipped directly from the bookstore. 

The following reading materials are forbidden in the Tarrant County Jail

  • Sexually explicit reading material
  • Obscene photographs or drawings
  • Deviant sexual intercourse, including bestiality
  • Exhibition of male or female genitals

Inmates will have access to religious materials upon request of the chaplain. Visitors cannot bring newspapers, books, or magazines and present them to inmates.

The law library offers a collection of legal reference materials for inmates. Legal materials cannot be removed from the law library, and inmates must schedule a visit. 

How to Write Inmates in Tarrant County Jail

Inmates are allowed to write and receive mail, but some rules apply. Failure to follow these rules could result in the mail being returned to the sender or confiscated. Letters to inmates can be no larger than 12 X 16 inches. 

Inmates can purchase writing supplies from the commissary. In the case of indigent inmates, writing supplies are provided free of charge, including paper, envelopes, pens, and stamps.

Photographs can be sent with letters. Each letter can contain up to 10 photographs no larger than 4 X 6 inches. Polaroid photographs are not allowed. 

Photographs deemed inappropriate will not be delivered to the inmate. Photos depicting sexual acts, violence, and nudity are forbidden.

If any contraband is mailed to an inmate, it will be returned to the sender. The Tarrant County Jail will only accept mail shipped via the United States Postal Service or UPS. Mail from third-party courier services will not be accepted, including those used by retailers like Amazon.

To send mail to an inmate, use the following address:

Inmate’s Full Legal Name and CID Number

C/O Tarrant County Jail

100 N. Lamar St.

Fort Worth, Texas 76196

Senders must ensure they provide their full name and mailing address. The mail will not be accepted without this information. 

How to Deposit Money into an Inmate’s Account

Inmates have access to personal fund accounts, and family members and friends can contribute to these accounts in three ways. 

  1. You can mail a money order or cashier’s check, and the money will be deposited into the inmate’s account.
  2. You can bring cash to one of the Tarrant County Jail kiosks and deposit money into the inmate’s account. You can also use credit or debit cards at these kiosks.
  3. You can also deposit money into an inmate’s account online by visiting https://www.accesscorrections.com/#/. You may also call 866-345-1884. 

Rules and Regulations for Visitation at the Tarrant County Jail

All jails and detention facilities in Tarrant County have the same schedule for visitation. Visitation schedules are based on inmates’ last names and include the following. 

A Through L

Sundays and Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (No visitors will be processed after 8:30 p.m.)

Fridays 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (No visitors will be processed after 2:30 p.m.)

M Through Z

Sundays and Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (No visitors will be processed after 8:30 p.m.)

Fridays 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (No visitors will not be processed after 8:30 p.m.)

Inmates are limited to one 30-minute visit a day. Inmates may have a maximum of three visits per week. A maximum of two adults and two children are allowed at each visit. 

Children under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult. Individuals incarcerated in the Tarrant County Jail in the last six months are not allowed to visit current inmates. 

Visitors are expected to follow all rules and conduct themselves in an orderly fashion. The following dress code applies to all visitors and is strictly enforced. 

The following are NOT allowed:

  • Revealing shorts
  • Sundresses and short skirts
  • Bathing suits
  • Halter tops
  • Low-cut blouses and dresses
  • Leotards
  • Hats and caps
  • Backless tops
  • See-through clothing
  • Pajamas
  • Skirts shorter than two inches above the knee
  • High-cut or split dresses and skirts
  • Military-style clothing, including khaki or green 
  • Spandex or tight-fitting pants
  • Sleeveless clothing

Do NOT bring the following:

  • Tobacco products, lighters, or matches
  • Cameras, cell phones, or electronic recording devices
  • Backpacks, handbags, or other bags
  • Unlabeled prescription medication
  • Food or drink

Parents may bring the following:

  • One diaper bag
  • One blanket that fits inside the diaper bag
  • Bottles that fit inside the diaper bag
  • One infant carrier (the carrier will be visually inspected by a staff member)

All visitors must present a valid photo ID upon visitation. Failure to follow any of the rules above will result in the visitor being turned away from visitation. 

Additional Resources

Tarrant County Sheriff Website

Tarrant County Court Records