Penmate Inmate Support Guides
foothills-cashless-canteen

How Foothills' Cashless Canteen System Works (Foothills Correctional Institution)

Foothills Correctional Institution uses a cashless system for canteen purchases. Once you understand how the debit-style card connects to the inmate trust fund, you'll know exactly what to do from the outside to keep money available.

• 2 min read • dac.nc.gov
How Foothills' Cashless Canteen System Works (Foothills Correctional Institution)

At Foothills,

The facility operates six canteens, all run by offenders and open seven days a week. The cashless card-and-account setup isn't an occasional thing - it's part of daily life inside.

The key point: canteen purchases pull directly from the inmate trust fund account. If there's money in the account, the card works. If the balance is low, purchases are limited to what's available.

For families, this means your main job is funding the trust account. NCDAC partners with ViaPath and its subsidiaries (ConnectNetwork/AdvancePay/TouchPay) to handle deposits. You can send money via web, mobile, phone, or walk-in options. Funds typically hit the account by the next business day.

How Foothills' Cashless Canteen System Works (Foothills Correctional Institution)

Family Deposit Options

  • ✓ Use NCDAC’s ViaPath/ConnectNetwork/AdvancePay/TouchPay options to send funds by web
  • ✓ Use the mobile option to send funds
  • ✓ Use the phone option to send funds
  • ✓ Use a walk-in option to send funds
  • ✓ Confirm you’re listed as an approved visitor for the offender before you try to deposit funds (only approved visitors are permitted to deposit)
  1. Get a money order and make it out correctly - Make the money order payable to TouchPay.
  2. Include the required deposit slip - Send the money order with a deposit slip.
  3. Mail it to the trust deposit address - TouchPay Holdings, LLC, PO Box 174, Houston, TX 77001-0174.
  4. Plan for processing time - Funds from mailed money orders are generally available within ten business days.

Note: This doesn't cover canteen price lists, spending limits, item availability, each canteen's hours, or how refunds and disputes work. For those details, check directly with NCDAC, TouchPay/ViaPath, or the facility.

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