Sending Messages and Photos Through NCIC: The Faster Alternative to Mailing Letters

Lewis and Clark County Detention Center uses NCIC's Inmate Messaging system for electronic delivery of documents, photos, and mail. The setup reduces contraband risk while giving families a faster way to stay in touch. Your message arrives instantly rather than sitting in a mail queue for days.

Most incoming mail goes through central processing: it's received, scanned at a central location, then delivered electronically through the same messaging system. Your loved one reads it on kiosks or tablets in their living area. Legal and medical mail are handled differently - those still go through traditional mail. As of July 1, 2023, all other inmate mail must be sent to PO Box 591, Longview, Texas 75606 for processing.

Costs

• ✓ Messages: $0.25 per message
• ✓ Picture messages / documents: $0.35 each
• ✓ Video visits: $0.25 per minute
• ✓ No posted limit on how many messages and photos you can send

Send a message, photo, or document through NCIC and it arrives electronically - instantly. If you mail something instead, it gets scanned at the central processing location and delivered the same way. Either route, inmates view everything on kiosks or tablets in their living areas. The facility says there's no limit on how many messages and photos you can send.

1. Create your NCIC prepaid account - Go to https://account.ncic.com to set up your account.
2. Add funds - Fund the prepaid account so you can pay for messages, pictures/documents, and other available communication services.
3. Use the call center if you get stuck - Call 1-800-943-2189 for help with account creation or funding.
4. Use the Spanish option if needed - Para Español, you can use https://cuenta.ncic.com.

Go with NCIC messaging when speed matters. Messages cost $0.25 each; photos and documents are $0.35 each. Delivery is instant - often cheaper and faster than buying stamps, envelopes, and waiting on the postal service. Mailed letters still work, but at this facility they're routed through scanning for electronic viewing anyway. The exception? Legal and medical mail. Those must be mailed and handled through the traditional process.