What NOT to Put in a Letter to Someone in NC Prisons (so it isn't returned)

The fastest way to get a letter returned from an NC state prison? Address it incorrectly. If it's not in the required TextBehind format, it goes straight back to you.

• ✓ Materials and texts for religious correspondence courses (including sacred texts)
• ✓ Publications like books, magazines, and newspapers
• ✓ Money orders, cash, payment checks, or IRS checks
• ✓ Original passports, Social Security cards, or original birth certificates
• ✓ Postage stamps, stationery, blank envelopes, or pre-stamped envelopes

All non-legal mail has to be addressed to TextBehind's Maryland P.O. Box using an exact format: the person's name and OPUS number, the full name of the prison (don't abbreviate it), then "P.O. Box 247, Phoenix, MD 21131." Shortening the prison name or leaving off the OPUS number can get your mail rejected before it's even processed.

Your return address needs your full first name and full last name. No initials. TextBehind will return mail that doesn't meet this standard, even if everything else about your envelope is perfect.

Religious correspondence course materials (including sacred texts) are handled differently than regular letters. These items can't go through TextBehind, so including them with your letter will likely get the whole mailing rejected and returned.

1. Confirm the material is approved: Only approved religious correspondence course materials and sacred texts should be sent.
2. Have the vendor, school, or religious institution ship it directly: Approved items must be sent straight to the correctional facility (not through TextBehind) and must come directly from the vendor, school, or religious institution.

Don't tuck a book, magazine, or newspaper into an envelope and mail it yourself. Individuals aren't allowed to send publications directly to someone incarcerated in an NCDAC prison. Instead, order the publication from the publisher or an online retailer and have it shipped to the prison's street address. Don't ship publications through TextBehind. They'll be returned to the sender.

Small Items and Checklist

• ✓ Money orders, cash, payment checks, or IRS checks
• ✓ Original passports, Social Security cards, or original birth certificates (only copies are acceptable)
• ✓ Postage stamps, stationery, blank envelopes, or pre-stamped envelopes

Want to help financially? Don't put money orders, cash, or checks in the envelope. Use the approved electronic options for sending funds instead. For identity documents, send copies only, not originals like a passport, Social Security card, or birth certificate. And if you're hoping to help them write back, skip the stamps and envelopes. People incarcerated in NCDAC facilities can purchase stamps and mailing supplies through the prison canteen.

• ✓ Address it to TextBehind exactly as required: name + OPUS number, full prison name (no abbreviations), P.O. Box 247, Phoenix, MD 21131
• ✓ Include your full first name and full last name in the return address (no initials)
• ✓ Do not include any prohibited enclosures (cash/checks, originals of key documents, stamps or extra envelopes, publications, or religious course/sacred-text materials)
• ✓ Remember non-legal mail is scanned and delivered electronically, and app-submitted letters can be processed within one business day