Mailing Letters to Someone at a CRV Center: Address Format and What’s Different

Non-legal mail to someone at a CRV center doesn't go directly to the facility. Instead, you address it to TextBehind's Maryland P.O. Box. On the envelope, include the person's name and OPUS number, then the full CRV facility name (written out completely, no abbreviations), followed by: P.O. Box 247, Phoenix, MD 21131. The facility line is key. For example: (Burke/North Piedmont/Robeson) Confinement in Response to Violation Center.

Why the different routing? TextBehind scans everything you send (letters, greeting cards, photos, artwork, and similar items) and forwards scanned images to the facility. The person you're writing to receives the content on an electronic tablet. It's worth taking an extra minute to follow TextBehind's addressing rules so your mail actually gets through.

Here are copy-and-paste examples you can follow: John Doe #1234567 North Piedmont Confinement in Response to Violation Center P.O. Box 247 Phoenix, MD 21131 Jane Doe #7654321 Burke Confinement in Response to Violation Center P.O. Box 247 Phoenix, MD 21131

A couple types of mail skip the TextBehind process. Materials for religious correspondence courses (including sacred texts) cannot go through TextBehind. If the course and materials are pre-approved, the vendor must ship them directly to the prison using the facility's physical street address, not the TextBehind P.O. Box.

• ✓ Do not mail books, magazines, or other publications yourself. Individuals are not allowed to send publications directly to an offender.
• ✓ Order publications from the publisher or an online retailer instead.
• ✓ Have the order shipped to the facility’s street (physical) address, not through TextBehind (items shipped through TextBehind can be returned).

Before you seal the envelope, double-check two things that commonly cause returns. First, confirm you used the required TextBehind format, including the person's OPUS number and the full, non-abbreviated CRV facility name. Second, your return address must include your full first and last name (no initials). Mail that doesn't meet these standards can be sent back to you.

1. Write the person’s name and OPUS number - match what the facility has on file.
2. Spell out the full CRV center name - do not abbreviate the facility line.
3. Fix your return address - use your full first and last name (no initials) so your letter is not rejected.