Dallas County - West Tower Detention Center

You can support your loved ones at West Tower Detention on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 214-653-2902.

When someone you care about gets locked up, it's tough to figure out all the ins and outs of jail life. From sending mail to visiting, there are a lot of things to sort out. And getting info about the arrest? Not always easy. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get a handle on how things work here so that you can stay connected and support your loved one behind bars.

The West Tower Detention is a detention center located at 111 W Commerce St Dallas, TX which is operated locally by the Dallas County Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing or both. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. Dallas County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Dallas Police Department, and the US Marshal's Service.

New detainees arrive at the jail regularly, with some being released on bail, placed under pretrial services caseloads, supervised by probation agencies, or released on recognizance with a court appearance agreement. Those who are not released await their court appearances at the jail, receiving accommodations including bedding and meals.

You can see all the arrest records for Texas here.

Located within the Lew Sterrett Justice Center, the West Tower comprises 132 tanks and 25 single cells, accommodating up to 1,530 male inmates. This facility is a mental housing unit that encompasses a wide range of classifications beyond medium and maximum custody inmates. These classifications include Class "C" misdemeanors, trustees, infirmary patients, those with lower bunk medical restrictions, individuals under close behavioral observation, those at risk of suicide, HIV positive inmates, homosexuals, accused child molesters, those needing crisis stabilization, individuals in protective or administrative custody, participants in the psychological assessment program, and those dealing with substance abuse. Inmates are housed according to these specific needs.

The Dallas County Sheriff's Department is tasked with the care, control, and custody of individuals who have committed crimes, ranging from Class "C" misdemeanors, such as outstanding traffic citations, to capital murder. There are three primary categories of individuals incarcerated in the Dallas County Jail: those who did not post bail and are awaiting court, those who have had their court proceedings and are awaiting transfer to state or federal prison, and individuals summoned by a judge to appear in court from another detention facility.

The Dallas County Sheriff's Department operates six detention facilities, capable of housing over 7,100 inmates, with a detention staff of 900 employees. These facilities are self-sufficient and function around the clock, 365 days a year.

Adjacent to the Frank Crowley Courts Building, the Lew Sterrett Justice Center includes the West Tower, the North Tower, and the Suzanne L. Kays Detention Facility. This comprehensive complex underscores the Sheriff's Department's commitment to maintaining a secure and efficient correctional system in Dallas County.

The jail is designed with "pods," featuring a large common area with affixed tables and attached seats, and individual cells typically on two levels. Inmates spend certain times in their cells and other times congregating in the pod for activities like playing cards, games, reading, or watching television. Movement outside the pod, such as trips to the commissary, library, or recreation area, occurs under the constant supervision of unarmed correctional officers. The environment in the county jail is considered less stressful than that of a prison because the sentences are much shorter.

The jail offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Alternatively, setting up an account through a third-party phone company may entail high fees per minute of usage. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

Books and magazines ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. The Jail enforces this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

Inmate workers are chosen based on conduct and cooperation with staff. Participation in the community service program can sometimes reduce sentences. Commissary is available weekly, with orders submitted via kiosk two days in advance. On holidays, there may be increased spending limits. Upon receiving commissary items, inmates must present their ID, check their order, and sign for it in the presence of the commissary employee. Indigent inmates are provided with all essential basic hygiene items including USPS stamps and writing materials.