Suzanne Lee Kays Detention Facility
Find messaging, video, and phone options for Suzanne Lee Kays Detention Facility. Compare providers and discover what communication services are available. Free, no account required.
- Facility Type
- County Facility
- Security Level
- Pretrial
- Inmate Capacity
- Not available
- Established
- 1993
- Operated By
- Dallas County Sheriff's Department
Suzanne Lee Kays Detention Facility Inmate Communication Overview
The Suzanne Lee Kays Detention Facility, also known as the South Tower, is part of the Lew Sterrett Justice Center complex in downtown Dallas, operated by the Dallas County Sheriff's Department. It was dedicated in 1995 in memory of Suzanne Lee Kays, a sheriff's deputy killed in the line of duty in 1989, just days after graduating from the sheriff's academy. The tower functions alongside the rest of the Lew Sterrett complex as part of Dallas County's main jail system, holding people booked by the Dallas Police Department and other agencies across the county.
Families reaching someone at the South Tower use the same provider as the rest of the Lew Sterrett complex. Smart Communications provides phone calls, video visitation, and messaging through the SmartInmate platform under the county contract. Families create a SmartInmate account at smartinmate.com to access all available services. For phone calls, fund a SmartInmate account linked to your phone number to receive inmate-initiated calls. Remote video visits are available and can be scheduled through SmartInmate. Commissary deposits use AccessCorrections, a separate system.
Because the South Tower shares the Lew Sterrett complex's high booking volume, wait times for account approval or video visit slots can run longer than at smaller jails. It helps to set up accounts early and check often for available appointment times. After conviction and sentencing to state prison, people are transferred to a Texas Department of Criminal Justice unit, where the communication provider setup is different from the county jail.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Address
111 W. Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75202
Main Phone
(214) 761-9025
Administrative line — not for inmate calls
Official Website
Visit official siteVisit and Contact Details
Inmate search, mail, visiting hours, costs, commissary, and bail information for this facility.
Inmate name and book-in number, c/o Mail Processing Center, PO Box 9226, Seminole, FL 33775-9226. Attorney confidential mail: PO Box 660334, Dallas, TX 75266
Include the inmate name and ID on all mail.
Fax
(214) 653-3420
Communication Options
Available communication services at Suzanne Lee Kays Detention Facility.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: Smart Communications
Electronic messaging via SmartInmate. Messages monitored by Dallas County Sheriff's staff.
Video Calls
Remote or in-person video visitation.
Provider: Smart Communications
Remote video visits available through SmartInmate. Schedule in advance.
Photo Sharing
Send approved digital or physical photos.
Provider: Smart Communications
Photo sharing through SmartInmate.
Phone Calls
Inmate-initiated phone calls to approved numbers.
Provider: Smart Communications
Fund a SmartInmate account to receive inmate-initiated calls.
Money Transfer
Send funds to commissary or phone accounts.
Commissary deposits via AccessCorrections, the Dallas County jail commissary system.
Communication Providers at Suzanne Lee Kays Detention Facility
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
Smart Communications
Smart Communications provides phone service, video visits, and messaging through smartinmate.com. Dallas County switched from Securus to Smart Communications in late 2025.
View Smart Communications ServicesCommunication Rules at Suzanne Lee Kays Detention Facility
- All South Tower communication goes through SmartInmate. Commissary deposits use AccessCorrections.
- The South Tower shares Lew Sterrett's booking system, so confirm the exact housing location before mailing anything.
- All calls, messages, and video visits are subject to monitoring.
- You need the inmate's full name and booking number to locate their account.
- After transfer to a Texas Department of Criminal Justice unit, a different provider setup applies.
Related Facilities
Other correctional facilities with communication guides.
Frequently Asked Questions: Suzanne Lee Kays Detention Facility
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- How do I contact someone at Suzanne Lee Kays Detention Facility?
- All communication services at the South Tower are through SmartInmate. Create an account at smartinmate.com or through the SmartInmate app. One account covers phone calls, video visits, and messaging.
- Is Suzanne Lee Kays Detention Facility the same as Lew Sterrett Justice Center?
- The Suzanne Lee Kays Detention Facility, also called the South Tower, is part of the Lew Sterrett Justice Center complex in downtown Dallas. It shares the same address, booking system, and communication providers.
- Is video visitation available at Suzanne Lee Kays Detention Facility?
- Yes, remote video visits are available through SmartInmate. Because the complex holds a large population, available time slots can fill up fast, so check often and book as early as you can.
- How do I check if someone is in custody at Suzanne Lee Kays Detention Facility?
- Dallas County provides an online inmate search tool. You can also call the jail's information line at (214) 761-9025, which is staffed 24 hours a day.
- What happens after someone is sentenced to state prison from Dallas County?
- People sentenced to state time are transferred to a Texas Department of Criminal Justice unit. Communication providers at TDCJ units differ from the county jail, so check the new facility's setup right after any transfer.
- How do I send mail to someone at Suzanne Lee Kays Detention Facility?
- Address personal mail with the person's full legal name and booking number to c/o Mail Processing Center, PO Box 9226, Seminole, FL 33775-9226. Attorney and confidential legal mail goes to PO Box 660334, Dallas, TX 75266. Do not send mail to the facility street address. Mail is inspected before delivery.
- What do I need to look someone up at Suzanne Lee Kays Detention Facility?
- You need the person's full legal name and booking number. With those, you can use the Dallas County inmate search or call the jail information line to confirm custody and housing.
- Why did a call from Suzanne Lee Kays Detention Facility not go through?
- Calls are outgoing only, so the person inside must place the call. If a call did not connect, confirm that your number is on the approved list and that the calling account has funds. A block on the receiving number or an unapproved number will stop the call.
- What should I do if someone is moved to a different tower or facility?
- Housing can change within the Lew Sterrett Justice Center complex, so confirm the current housing location before mailing anything. After sentencing to state prison, the person is transferred to a Texas Department of Criminal Justice unit with a different communication setup.
- How do I send a message through SmartInmate to someone at Suzanne Lee Kays Detention Facility?
- Create a SmartInmate account, search for the person by name, and purchase message credits. Messages are reviewed by facility staff before delivery, so allow time for review.
Troubleshooting at Suzanne Lee Kays Detention Facility
Fix the most common problems families hit with calls, video visits, money, and messaging.
- Why am I not receiving calls from an inmate?
- Inmates can only call out, so you cannot call an inmate directly. If expected calls are not coming through, check your phone's spam or silence-unknown-callers setting, since carriers often block jail numbers. Save the facility's number as a contact, confirm your number is on the inmate's approved list, and check whether your carrier blocks collect or prepaid calls. If several expected calls fail, contact the facility's phone provider support.
- Why is my inmate not showing up in search?
- New arrivals can take 24 to 72 hours to appear in search results, and people in transfer may temporarily disappear from listings. Try alternate spellings and name variations, and make sure you are searching the right system: the federal BOP locator only covers federal inmates, while county and state searches are separate. Some records are withheld for protective custody or sealed cases. If it has been more than a few days, call the facility's records office.
- I sent money but it is not showing in the inmate's account. What should I do?
- Allow processing time first. Electronic deposits can take hours and money orders can take much longer. Check your receipt and confirm the inmate's name and ID matched. Do not send a second payment until the first one is traced, since duplicate payments are hard to reverse. Contact the money-transfer provider's support with your receipt or confirmation number. If the inmate was recently transferred, funds may follow after a delay.
- Why was my video visit cancelled or cut off?
- Most cancellations come from connection problems or conduct-rule violations. Stay in frame, keep your ID ready, follow the dress code, keep other people off camera, and avoid profanity. Visits can also be cancelled for facility lockdowns or schedule changes. For refunds, contact the video provider's support with your visit details.
- What should I do if the facility changed its communications provider?
- Create an account with the new provider, since old accounts and balances do not transfer automatically. Ask the old provider whether refunds are available for unused balances. Confirm the new provider's phone, video, and messaging setup before your next visit or call.
Stay Connected with Suzanne Lee Kays Detention Facility
Compare all available providers, search for other Texas facilities, and find the right communication options for your family. Free, with no account required.