How to Address Mail to Someone at NCCW: The Phoenix, MD Scanning Process Explained

For personal letters to someone at the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women (NCCW), you don’t mail directly to the prison. NDCS requires you to address personal correspondence to the contracted scanning vendor in Phoenix, Maryland, using this exact format: Facility Name (place the incarcerated individual is assigned) State of Nebraska Department of Correctional Services Incarcerated Individual’s Committed Name or Legally Changed Name and Institutional Number Box 247 Phoenix, MD 21131 Here’s what that looks like with NCCW as the facility name: Nebraska Correctional Center for Women State of Nebraska Department of Correctional Services [Committed or legally changed name] [Institutional number] Box 247 Phoenix, MD 21131

Starting November 12, 2024, NDCS routes all incoming personal correspondence through a contracted scanning vendor. Once your letter reaches the vendor, it’s scanned in full color, saved as a single PDF, and then sent through the tablet system so the incarcerated person can read it on their tablet.

If the person you’re writing to doesn’t have an assigned tablet, the facility can still get them the approved correspondence. In that situation, staff may photocopy the approved scanned letter and deliver it to them.

After your letter is approved, delivery to the incarcerated person’s tablet normally happens within 24 hours. That “after approval” part is key - anything that slows approval will slow delivery.

• ✓ If the scan isn’t readable, it won’t be scanned again.
• ✓ Unreadable mail is returned to the sender.
• ✓ The intended recipient is not notified when mail is returned.
• ✓ Avoid things that can scan poorly, like unusual ink colors or colored paper.

The Phoenix, MD address is for personal correspondence. Incoming funds, publications, and packages are received at the facility instead, and they must be addressed using the incarcerated person’s committed (or legally changed) name plus their institutional number, along with the facility’s mailing information.

Tips to Avoid Problems

• ✓ Use the Phoenix, MD vendor format for personal letters, including the facility name line and “State of Nebraska Department of Correctional Services.”
• ✓ Write the incarcerated person’s committed name (or legally changed name) and their institutional number clearly.
• ✓ Stick to easy-to-scan materials (plain white paper and common ink colors like blue or black).
• ✓ Double-check the name/number before you seal the envelope - small mistakes can mean big delays.

Before you mail anything, pause and sort it into the right lane: personal correspondence goes to the Phoenix, MD vendor address, while funds, publications, and packages go to the facility using the person’s name and number plus the facility’s mailing info. That one decision prevents most “returned to sender” surprises.