Detention Bureau

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards sets rules and procedures, establishes minimum standards for the construction, maintenance, and operation of county jails. The Tarrant County Detention Bureau has passed this certification every year since 1995. In October 2012, Tarrant County received certification on the Lon Evans Correction Center, a 207,700 square foot, five-story maximum-security facility. This facility is classified by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Leader in Energy Environment Design (LEED) as a gold certified facility.  A gold certification, the USGBC’s second highest certification, was awarded for the efficient use of energy, water and material.

The Detention Bureau is staffed with approximately 1,000 men and women certified as detention officers or peace officers (sheriff's deputies) by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). The Tarrant County Jail has a capacity of approximately 5,000 prisoners and is comprised of five  facilities.

The Tarrant County Jail Industries is located inside the Tarrant County Corrections Center. This unit is supervised by one officer and consists of 15 - 18 female volunteer inmate trustees who would like to learn a profession in the sewing industry. This unit produces items such as inmate mattresses, mattress covers and inmate clothing. They also make bedding for inmates classified as needing special precautions. The unit also produces specialized clothing and leather goods for the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office. Besides saving taxpayers money by manufacturing items in-house, the unit is able to turn repaired uniforms and bedding items around quicker and more efficiently than out-sourcing the items.

The Detention Bureau offers inmates the opportunities to improve their education while in custody. Courses offered are General Educational Development (G.E.D.) and English as a Second Language. All facilities provide a full spectrum of inmate counseling services, medical and psychological services.

Inmates have access to the Law Library, to prepare their own legal documents, and the Recreational Library.

The Detention Bureau books in approximately 35,000 inmates a year. All inmates are centrally received at the Corrections Center where they are booked, photographed and enrolled by their iris.

The Detention Bureau serves approximately 10,250 hot meals per day. The kitchen is located in the Lon Evans Corrections Center and has approximately 14,000 square feet.  It prepares food for all five jail facilities. A registered dietician makes up each day's menu to ensure inmates receive a proper diet. Special meals are prepared for inmates with medical, dietary or religious requirements.

Approximately 600 inmates are transferred to various courts each week.

If after you have reviewed the web site and still have questions, please feel free to contact us at  817-884-3000.