Setting Up Phone & Tablet Accounts for Someone at Bertie Correctional (AdvancePay vs PIN Debit)

North Carolina's Department of Adult Correction uses ViaPath/GTL for prison tablets. These tablets handle phone calls, text messaging, and digitized mail, plus educational content, self-help programs, and entertainment. So the same system powering calls also runs other features your loved one uses daily.

ConnectNetwork is where you'll manage everything for Bertie Correctional. It's ViaPath's official portal for deposits and account management. Use the website or download the mobile app - either works for adding funds and handling account basics.

• ✓ AdvancePay prepaid - you put money on *your phone number*, and when the incarcerated person calls you, the cost is deducted from your prepaid balance.
• ✓ PIN Debit - you deposit money to the incarcerated person’s *PIN-debit phone account*, and they can use that balance to call allowed phone numbers.

AdvancePay is usually the simplest choice if your goal is receiving their calls. The money ties to your phone number, not their account. When they call you, charges pull from your prepaid balance. Set up and fund AdvancePay through ConnectNetwork. You can manage everything there - website or app, whichever you prefer.

1. Create or sign into your ConnectNetwork account - use ConnectNetwork (website or mobile app) to access ViaPath’s authorized deposit and account management portal.
2. Choose AdvancePay prepaid funding - this option places funds on your phone number so charges come out of your balance when your loved one calls you.
3. Confirm you’re approved to deposit - only approved visitors for the incarcerated person are permitted to deposit funds to that person’s account.

PIN Debit works differently. You're depositing money into their phone account. Once credited, they use that balance to call approved numbers. Setup and deposits happen through ConnectNetwork, same as AdvancePay. The key difference? With PIN Debit, the balance sits on their end - they control when and where to spend it.

ConnectNetwork is your hub for adding funds. Deposit through the website, or grab the mobile app (available for iPhone and Android) to add money from your phone.

Watch out for inactivity fees. Your ConnectNetwork Friends & Family account can be forfeited after 180 consecutive days without activity (unless different rules apply under governing law or contract). Any account use resets that clock. Need a refund after forfeiture? Call ConnectNetwork customer service at 866-516-0115.