How to order seasonal packages to Catawba Correctional Inst. (NC): what to buy, when to order, and refund rules
Ordering a seasonal package is one of the easier ways to send approved items into North Carolina prisons—as long as you order within the window and stick to what's allowed. Here's how to shop smart, avoid common mistakes (especially with shoes), and understand refund rules if your loved one's status changes before the package ships.
North Carolina's Seasonal Package program lets family and friends order packages for people incarcerated in the NC Department of Adult Correction - including anyone at Catawba Correctional Institution. The big advantage? The shopping pages only show pre-approved items. You're picking from what's already cleared, not guessing what might get rejected.
For the current season, the ordering window runs from Wednesday, January 7 through Friday, February 6. Miss the cutoff? Your safest bet is to wait for the next window rather than trying to send the same items another way.
Place your order through the program's website - it works statewide for anyone in the NC Department of Adult Correction. If you're ordering for someone at Catawba, shop directly within the seasonal package program so you're only selecting pre-approved items.
Mail-in option: If you prefer paper ordering, the site provides a downloadable order form you can fill out and mail in.
Want to avoid a rejected order? Shop directly from the seasonal package pages. Everything listed there is pre-approved - no guessing required. If an item isn't on those pages, assume it's not allowed.
Pay close attention to footwear. Incarcerated individuals can only have one pair each of work boots, tennis shoes, and shower shoes at any time. Before ordering, confirm your loved one actually needs what you're sending. Ordering extras when they're already at the limit creates problems.
Rechargeable electronics: Some prisons may not have the infrastructure needed to support rechargeable electronic devices. You’re responsible for confirming that anything you buy will work under the receiving facility’s conditions and restrictions.
If your loved one gets placed on control status - HCON, MCON, ICON, or Safekeeper - before the package ships, Union Supply Direct cancels the order and issues a refund minus a $5.00 restocking fee. Ordering near the end of the window? Keep this policy in mind so the fee doesn't catch you off guard.
Practical Checklist
- ✓ Confirm you’re ordering inside the current window (First Day to Order: Wednesday, January 7; Last Day to Order: Friday, February 6)
- ✓ Shop from the seasonal package shopping pages so you’re selecting only pre-approved items
- ✓ For footwear, verify what they already have - only one pair each of work boots, tennis shoes, and shower shoes is allowed at a time
- ✓ If you’re considering rechargeable electronics, confirm the receiving facility can support the device and that it fits facility restrictions
- ✓ Know the control-status refund rule: if they’re placed on HCON, MCON, ICON, or Safekeeper before shipping, the order is canceled and refunded minus a $5.00 restocking fee
- Check the dates - Make sure you’re ordering between Wednesday, January 7 and Friday, February 6.
- Pick your ordering method - Order online from the pre-approved shopping pages, or download the mail-in order form if you prefer paper.
- Double-check item fit - Stick to what’s shown as approved on the shopping pages so you don’t gamble on items outside the program.
- Place the order before the cutoff - Don’t wait until the last day if you can help it; get it in while the window is still open.
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