Tarrant County Belknap Facility

You can support your loved ones at Tarrant Co Belknap on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 817-884-3000.

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 Tarrant Co Belknap is a detention center located at 350 W Belknap St Ft Worth, TX which is operated locally by the Tarrant 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. Tarrant County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Ft Worth 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.

The Tarrant County Jail at 300 West Belknap, a towering 11-story facility, officially became a key part of Tarrant County's detention system in 1963. This facility was constructed in response to the growing need for adequate jail space as the county faced an increasing backlog of criminal cases and inmate overcrowding. The new jail, designed to house up to 600 inmates on floors five through ten, featured a modern kitchen on the 11th floor to cater to both prisoners and jail staff, while floors one through four were dedicated to various county courts and offices.

The basement of the 300 West Belknap Jail became the hub for the Sheriff's Office, accommodating almost all its offices. As the 1980s progressed, the facility experienced a surge in inmate population due to a rise in crime rates and delays in transferring prisoners to the Texas State Prison system. By 1990, the jail population had swelled to over 3,000 inmates, far exceeding the facility's intended capacity.

To address the overcrowding, Tarrant County and the City of Fort Worth reached an agreement in the early 1980s to centralize the jail system in downtown Fort Worth, thereby eliminating the need for separate facilities operated by each agency. The Tarrant County Jail at 300 West Belknap was supplemented by additional jail space at the newly constructed Fort Worth Police Department Building at 350 West Belknap. However, despite these efforts, overcrowding remained a persistent issue, prompting further expansions and the eventual construction of the Tarrant County Corrections Center at 100 North Lamar Street.

Following the intake process, which includes property inventory, medical screening, and booking, inmates are assigned to the general population. Housing assignments are based on the classification of their charges, whether felony or misdemeanor, to ensure proper management and safety within the facility.

After processing, inmates are assigned to a housing area based on classification. Compliance with jail rules typically results in a lower classification and more privileges, while rule violations or additional charges lead to a higher classification and fewer privileges. Inmates serving as trustees within the jail undertake various tasks, including cooking, laundry, and commissary management, often receiving minimal compensation or sentence reduction for their services.

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.