Send Money to Bertie CI. ConnectNetwork Deposits and All Options

Who Can Send Money

NC DAC requires that only people on the inmate’s approved visitor list may deposit funds to their trust account. If you have not been approved as a visitor yet, complete that process first. See the visitation guide for how to get on the list.

If you are already approved, you can send money using any of the methods below.

What You Always Need

Every deposit method asks for two things:

1. The person’s full legal name (as it appears in the NC DAC system)
2. Their OPUS Number (find it using the NC OPI search)

Do not skip the OPUS Number. Deposits without it can be delayed or returned, which means the person goes without access to commissary or phone funds until the issue is resolved.

Option 1. Online Through ConnectNetwork

Go to ConnectNetwork.com and log in or create a free account. Search for Bertie Correctional Institution, enter the person’s name and OPUS Number, choose a deposit amount, and pay with a debit or credit card.

Fees (online):

• $2.48 to $8.16 depending on deposit amount

Deposits typically post within a few hours.

Option 2. ConnectNetwork App

Download the ConnectNetwork app on your phone. The process is the same as the website: find Bertie CI, enter the OPUS Number, and complete the payment. The app also lets you manage AdvancePay for phone calls in one place.

Option 3. Phone

Call the trust line at 888-428-1845 to make a deposit by phone. Have the person’s full legal name and OPUS Number ready, along with a payment card.

Fees (phone):

• $3.27 to $8.95 depending on deposit amount

Option 4. Western Union

Send money through Western Union using the payment code NCDAC TRUST. You can do this at any Western Union location or online at westernunion.com.

Fee: $3.00 flat

Use the exact payment code NCDAC TRUST. The wrong code sends the money to the wrong place, and recovering it can take time.

Option 5. Money Order (Free)

This is the only option with no fee. Make the money order payable to TouchPay and mail it to:

TouchPay Holdings LLC PO Box 174 Houston, TX 77001-0174

Write the person’s full legal name and OPUS Number on the memo line of the money order. Money orders take longer than electronic deposits, so allow extra time.

What the Money Covers

Funds deposited to the trust account can be used for:

• Commissary: Food, hygiene products, and other approved items from the facility store
• Phone calls: The person pays for calls from their trust account through the ViaPath/ConnectNetwork phone system
• Other authorized purchases: Some facilities allow approved purchases through the trust account. Call (252) 509-0158 to confirm what applies at Bertie CI

Bertie CI holds 1,504 people. The commissary options available may differ between the close custody building and the medium custody dormitory. If you have questions about what is available, contact the facility directly.

Package Ordering

If you want to send approved items such as food or hygiene products, go through ncinmatepackage.com. This is NC DAC’s approved package vendor. Do not send personal packages directly to the facility.

Troubleshooting a Deposit

If a deposit does not appear on the person’s account within a day or two:

• Check that you entered the OPUS Number correctly
• Confirm you selected Bertie Correctional Institution and not a different facility
• Contact ConnectNetwork support at ConnectNetwork.com or through the app
• Call the trust line at 888-428-1845 for help tracing the deposit
• Call ConnectNetwork customer support at 877-650-4249

The most common cause of a failed deposit is a wrong OPUS Number or name mismatch. Double-check the name using the NC OPI search and try again.

What Happens to Funds on Transfer or Release

If the person transfers to another NC state facility, their trust account follows them. If they are released, any remaining balance is returned to them per NC DAC policy. Contact the facility at (252) 509-0158 or ConnectNetwork for specific questions about balances after a transfer or release.

Trust Deposits vs. AdvancePay

ConnectNetwork handles both trust account deposits and AdvancePay phone accounts. These are separate. Funding the trust account gives the person money to spend from inside. Funding AdvancePay sets up a balance so when they call your number, the call connects and the charges come from your account rather than theirs. The phone calls guide covers how to set up AdvancePay.