How to send messages, photos, and packages
Catawba Correctional Institution uses ViaPath/GTL and ConnectNetwork for phone, messaging, and video services. You'll manage everything through the vendor's portal or app rather than calling the facility directly. One thing to watch: ViaPath/GTL Friends & Family accounts go inactive after 180 consecutive days without use and may be forfeited. Any account activity resets that 180-day clock. You can opt in to receive a text or email reminder at least 30 days before scheduled expiration—helpful for avoiding lost funds. Need a refund? Call ViaPath customer service at 866-516-0115. Already have a ConnectNetwork account? Sign in with the same email and password to manage services.
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
Anyone can order a Seasonal Package for someone incarcerated in the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction through the NC Inmate Package site. You don't need to live near the facility—the program handles statewide purchases.
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.
A ViaPath/GTL Friends & Family account becomes inactive after 180 consecutive days of inactivity and may be forfeited.
Use the account before 180 days passes—any use resets the 180-day inactivity period. You can also opt in to ViaPath reminders to get a text and/or email no later than 30 days before scheduled expiration.
Call ViaPath customer service at 866-516-0115 to request a refund from your ViaPath/GTL Friends & Family account.
Order through the North Carolina Department Adult Correction Seasonal Package program using the vendor shopping pages, which list only pre-approved items. The ordering window is Wednesday, January 7 through Friday, February 6. You can also mail an order using the vendor's downloadable order form.
If the incarcerated person is placed on certain control statuses before the package ships, Union Supply Direct will cancel the order and refund you minus a $5 restocking fee.
Some prisons may not have the infrastructure to support rechargeable electronic devices, so you’re responsible for confirming compatibility with the receiving facility before you buy. Packages and publications are handled differently than scanned letter mail, so verify approved vendors and facility rules before purchasing electronic items.
Need help or answers about someone at Catawba Correctional? The NCDAC contact form works well—especially when you include the exact identifiers it asks for.
When you contact NCDAC about someone at Catawba Correctional Inst. (or anyone under NCDAC supervision), staff need enough details to pull the right record. Include the required information upfront—it helps your message get routed correctly and saves you time going back and forth.
If you use a ViaPath (GTL) Friends & Family account to stay connected with someone at Catawba Correctional Inst., take a few minutes to protect your balance. Here's what you need to know: what
