How to Order a Seasonal Package for Someone at Dan River (what to check and what happens if plans change)

Family and friends can order a Seasonal Package for anyone incarcerated in the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, including Dan River. The big advantage of using the official package shopping pages: everything listed is already pre-approved, so you're not guessing whether an item is allowed before you spend money. That said, "pre-approved" doesn't mean "the right fit for your person right now." Before placing an order, check the ordering window, confirm their current status, and watch for special limits - especially on footwear and electronics. Those are the areas most likely to cause delays or disappointments.

Seasonal Packages aren't open year-round. Each listing shows a specific ordering window with a first and last day to place orders. You'll see the dates right on the listing - something like "First Day to Order: Wednesday, January 7th" and "Last Day to Order: Friday, February 6th." Dates change by package and season, so double-check the current window before building your cart. Miss the last day and the system won't let you order. Worth confirming the deadline first, especially if you're timing it around a holiday or release date.

Footwear is one of the easiest places to accidentally order something your loved one can't keep. Under program rules, incarcerated people may only possess one pair each of work boots, tennis shoes, and shower shoes at any time. Try to confirm what they already have before buying shoes. If they've already got a pair in that category, ordering another can create problems - they may not be allowed to keep extras when the package arrives.

Even when an electronic item appears in the property program, you still need to confirm it makes sense for where your person is housed. The program warns that some prisons lack the infrastructure for rechargeable devices. The responsibility falls on you to verify compatibility before purchasing. Do a quick check - especially for anything rechargeable - so the item doesn't become something they can't use once it arrives.

Plans can change fast inside, and a status change can affect your order. If the incarcerated person is placed on control status (HCON, MCON, ICON) or becomes a Safekeeper before the package ships, Union Supply Direct will cancel the order. When that happens, you'll get a refund minus a $5.00 restocking fee. The key detail is timing: this applies when the status change happens before shipping.

Checklist

• ✓ Confirm you’re ordering through the statewide North Carolina Department of Adult Correction Seasonal Package program (the one that includes Dan River)
• ✓ Stick to items shown on the shopping pages, since those items are pre-approved for use by incarcerated people in the system
• ✓ Check the package listing for the current ordering window (it will show a first day and a last day to order)
• ✓ Verify the person’s current status using the North Carolina offender search (search by name or offender number and review the status shown)
• ✓ If you’re ordering footwear, confirm what they already have - offenders may only possess one pair each of work boots, tennis shoes, and shower shoes at any given time
• ✓ If you’re ordering rechargeable electronics, confirm the item is compatible with Dan River’s conditions and restrictions (some prisons may not support rechargeable devices)
• ✓ Save your order confirmation and payment details in case the order is cancelled and a refund is processed

If your order gets cancelled because the person is placed on HCON, MCON, ICON, or Safekeeper status before shipping, the vendor refunds your purchase minus a $5.00 restocking fee. Frustrating, but at least you'll know why it didn't go out. Next step is simple: keep your order confirmation handy and watch for the refund. If you plan to reorder later, check the ordering window first, then confirm the person's current status again before placing a new order.