How to send messages, photos, and packages
Marion Correctional Institution uses a ViaPath/GTL tablet system for phone calls, texts, digitized mail, educational content, and entertainment. Video visits run through the GettingOut Visits app—either from the incarcerated person's tablet or a facility kiosk. Only approved visitors can participate, and visits may be on-demand or scheduled through the vendor system. To add phone and tablet funds, use ViaPath's ConnectNetwork deposit portal (not the facility directly). Incarcerated people can also use trust account funds to buy entertainment minutes at the prison canteen. One important note: ConnectNetwork/Friends & Family accounts become inactive after 180 consecutive days. If you're outside the U.S., set up international deposits through AdvancePay International.
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- A money order (maximum $300.00) issued in U.S. dollars - Money order made payable to “TouchPay Holdings” - The detached NCDAC deposit form included in the envelope (the form must accompany the money order) - Offender’s full name and the correct OID number filled in (double-check the OID before you mail)
Before buying a money order or filling out the deposit slip, confirm the inmate's full legal name and OID number. Getting these exactly right prevents delays or misapplied deposits. You can verify this information through North Carolina's offender search—just search by name or offender number. The tool includes filters for status, gender, race, ethnic group, birth date, and age range to help you find the correct record.
Video visits are provided through the GettingOut Visits app from the incarcerated person’s tablet or a facility kiosk. Visits are limited to approved visitors and can be started on-demand or scheduled through the vendor system.
Add phone or tablet funds through ViaPath's ConnectNetwork deposit portal, not through the facility. Keep your account active—ConnectNetwork/Friends & Family accounts go inactive after 180 consecutive days and may be subject to forfeiture. Contact customer service for refund options if needed.
Yes. If you’re outside the United States, use AdvancePay International to set up an account for international deposits.
Non-legal incoming mail is screened and scanned by TextBehind and delivered as digital copies to the offender’s tablet. You can submit letters and photos through the TextBehind app, or mail items that meet the vendor’s formatting requirements.
Packages aren’t processed through TextBehind—packages are returned to the sender. Books and publications should be ordered from the publisher or an online retailer and shipped to the facility’s street address, not through TextBehind.
To get your original mailed item back, contact info@textbehind.com within 30 days and pay the $2.50 service fee. Unrequested originals are shredded after 30 days. If your return address doesn't include your full first and last name, TextBehind will return the mail to you.
Three ways to send money to Marion CI trust deposits under NCDAC: mail a money order, use ConnectNetwork (online or by phone), or pay cash at Western Union with a specific payment code. The tradeoff? Cost vs. convenience. Mailed money orders have no fees, while ConnectNetwork and Western Union are faster when you don't want to deal with printing and mailing paperwork.
Money order hasn't posted yet? Hold off before you start tracking it down. The vendor recommends waiting at least one week from the date you mailed it before reporting a problem. That window gives the mail time to arrive and the deposit time to process—and saves you from a frustrating loop of "wait and check back later" responses.
If your money order gets rejected for Marion CI, the reason might have nothing to do with the amount or how you filled it out. North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC) only allows trust-account deposits from people already listed as the offender's approved visitors. ViaPath/TouchPay processes these deposits, and when a money order arrives from someone not on that list, they reject it outright. This surprises a lot of families. You can be a real, supportive person in someone's life and still not be "approved" in the system. Before mailing anything, make sure the sender is on the approved visitor list. Otherwise, you're looking at delays while the payment bounces back.
