Mail & Photos to Alamance County Detention Center

Mailing Address

Send all letters and photos to:

[Full Legal Name, Booking Number]
Alamance County Detention Center
109 S Maple St
Graham, NC 27253

Put the booking number on the same line as the name, or directly below it. Do not omit it. Mail without a booking number can be delayed or returned if multiple people share a similar name.

If you don’t have the booking number, look it up on the Alamance County P2C roster at apps.alamance-nc.com/p2c/jailinmates.aspx. See the inmate search guide for step-by-step instructions.

What to Write in Your Return Address

Always include your return address on the envelope. If the facility cannot deliver a piece of mail, it returns it to you. Without a return address, rejected mail is discarded.

What Happens to Your Mail

All mail at county jails goes through an inspection process before it reaches the person. Staff open every envelope, read or scan the contents, and check for contraband. This is standard procedure at all county jails in North Carolina.

Expect a few business days from the date you mail something for it to arrive and pass through inspection. Mail sent from out of state may take longer.

Letters

Standard letters on plain paper are accepted. Use blue or black ink. Pencil is typically allowed as well. Content rules at county jails generally prohibit:

• Sexually explicit material
• Gang-related content or symbols
• Threats or language that could be considered harassment
• Instructions for illegal activity

Write your letter as you would anything that might be read by a third party, because it will be.

Photos

Photos are permitted at most county jails, but the specific rules at Alamance County Detention Center are not published online. Call (336) 570-6317 before you send photos to confirm:

• Accepted formats: Standard print photos (4x6 or similar) are typically allowed. Ask whether Polaroids or non-standard sizes are accepted.
• Content rules: No nudity, sexually explicit content, gang imagery, or photos of weapons.
• How many per envelope: Some facilities cap the number of photos per mailing.
• Printed from home: Ask whether home-printed photos are accepted or only photos from a developer.

When in doubt, send only what you know is allowed. Rejected photos are typically returned to the sender or destroyed, not held for later pickup.

Cards and Greeting Cards

Greeting cards are typically allowed at county jails. They must be plain cards without glitter, stickers, envelopes within envelopes, or pop-up elements, as these can conceal contraband. Call (336) 570-6317 to confirm whether the facility accepts standard store-bought cards.

Books and Magazines

Book and magazine policies vary by facility. Many county jails only accept books or publications sent directly from a publisher or approved vendor such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or a prison book program. Call (336) 570-6317 to ask before you send anything.

Packages

Personal packages from family members are typically not accepted at county jails. Items must come through approved commissary channels (Oasis/JailCanteen) or approved vendors. Attempting to send a personal package that is not authorized will result in it being returned or destroyed. See the send money guide for how to order commissary through JailCanteen.

Legal and Certified Mail

Mail from attorneys, courts, and legal organizations is treated differently from personal mail. It is typically marked as legal mail and opened only in the presence of the inmate. If you are sending legal documents, use certified mail with a return receipt so you have proof of delivery, and mark the envelope clearly as legal mail.

What Is Not Allowed

Do not send the following:

• Cash (use JailATM deposits instead)
• Money orders inside envelopes (mail money orders separately to the facility’s general address with the person’s name and booking number)
• Contraband of any kind
• Perfume or scented letters
• Stickers, glitter, or decorations attached to letters or envelopes
• Multi-layered or multi-envelope mailings
• Photographs with prohibited content

Sending contraband through the mail to a jail in North Carolina is a felony. Don’t attempt it.

What Happens to Rejected Mail

If your mail is rejected, it is typically returned to you at the return address on the envelope. If it cannot be returned (no return address or undeliverable), it may be destroyed. Call (336) 570-6317 or email [email protected] if you believe mail was rejected in error.

Sending Money by Money Order

If you are mailing a money order to fund the person’s account, that is a separate process from personal mail. See the send money guide for the correct money order format and address. Do not put a money order inside a personal letter envelope.

Digital Messaging as an Alternative

If you want to stay in touch without worrying about postal delays or mail rules, digital messaging is available through JailATM at deposits.jailatm.com. Messages cost approximately $1.00 each and are delivered electronically to the person’s tablet. This is a good option for quick notes, and some platforms also allow digital photo sharing.

Send Photos and Letters with Pigeonly

The easiest way to send photos and letters to someone at Alamance County Detention Center is through Pigeonly. Upload your photos or write your letter online, and Pigeonly prints and mails everything to the facility for you, following the mail rules listed above.