Personal mail goes through TextBehind in Phoenix MD, not to the facility in Newport. Include the full legal name and OPUS number on every piece.
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NC DAC routes personal mail and photos through TextBehind, a mail processing vendor. You mail your letter or photos to a TextBehind address in Phoenix, MD. TextBehind scans and forwards the content to the facility. Do not mail personal letters directly to Carteret Correctional Center in Newport. Books and publications are an exception: those go to the facility address. Legal mail also goes directly to the facility, not through TextBehind.
NC DAC processes all personal mail through TextBehind. Mail your letter or photos to:
[Full Legal Name, OPUS Number] Carteret Correctional Center P.O. Box 247 Phoenix, MD 21131
TextBehind scans the content and forwards it to the facility in Newport. Do not mail personal letters to the physical facility address on Orange Street.
Books, magazines, and other publications are mailed directly to the facility, not through TextBehind:
[Full Legal Name, OPUS Number] Carteret Correctional Center 1084 Orange Street Newport, NC 28570
Books must come from a publisher or approved retailer. A book mailed directly from a personal address may be rejected. Contact the facility at (252) 223-5100 to confirm current book and publication rules before sending.
Legal mail goes directly to the facility. Do not route it through TextBehind. Contact Carteret at (252) 223-5100 for the correct legal mail address and handling procedures. Certified or attorney mail should be addressed to the facility directly with appropriate markings.
The approved vendor for packages is ncinmatepackage.com. Do not send personal packages directly to the facility or through the postal system. Items that arrive outside the approved vendor channel will be rejected. Visit ncinmatepackage.com to see what is available and place an order.
Always write on the outside of the envelope:
Inside the envelope, plain letters and cards are accepted. Personal photos are accepted through TextBehind: include them in the envelope with your letter.
Mail that contains prohibited items or does not follow address rules may be rejected. The resident is notified of rejected mail. If you are unsure whether something is allowed, call (252) 223-5100 before mailing.
TextBehind scans and forwards mail, which adds one to three business days to the delivery timeline on top of regular postal transit. Plan for letters to take up to a week from the time you mail them.
If mail is rejected, NC DAC notifies the resident. The rejected mail may be returned to the sender or destroyed, depending on the content. You will not always receive a notification. If a letter or package does not arrive after two weeks, call (252) 223-5100 to check.
Keep your letters personal and supportive. The people at Carteret are working toward release, and letters from family matter. Do not include information about legal proceedings that could be used against the resident. All mail is subject to inspection by facility staff. Write clearly so the scan is readable when forwarded.
The easiest way to send photos and letters to someone at Carteret Correctional 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.
6 of 12 questions
Personal mail goes through TextBehind: [Full Legal Name, OPUS Number], Carteret Correctional Center, P.O. Box 247, Phoenix, MD 21131. Books go to the facility: 1084 Orange Street, Newport, NC 28570. Legal mail: send directly to 1084 Orange Street, Newport, NC 28570.
MailNC DAC routes all personal mail through TextBehind, a mail processing vendor in Phoenix, MD. TextBehind scans the mail and forwards it to the facility. Sending personal mail directly to Newport may result in it being rejected or delayed.
MailThe OPUS number is the unique ID NC DAC assigns to each person in custody. Find it using the NC OPI search at webapps.doc.state.nc.us/opi/offendersearch.do?method=view. You need it on every piece of mail.
MailYes. Include photos in the same envelope as your letter and mail it to the TextBehind address. TextBehind scans and forwards both the letter and photos. You can also send photos through Pigeonly, which prints and mails them for you.
MailMail books directly to the facility at 1084 Orange Street, Newport, NC 28570. Books must come from a publisher or approved retailer, not from a personal address. Call (252) 223-5100 to confirm current book rules before sending.
MailLegal mail goes directly to the facility. Do not use TextBehind for legal mail. Call (252) 223-5100 for the correct address and handling procedures.
MailPackages must be ordered through ncinmatepackage.com. Do not send personal packages by mail. Packages that arrive outside the approved vendor channel will be rejected.
MailNo. Cash, checks, money orders, and gift cards inside envelopes are not allowed. To send money, use ConnectNetwork. See the send money guide for details.
MailTextBehind adds one to three business days for scanning and forwarding, plus regular postal transit time. Plan for letters to take up to a week from the day you mail them.
MailNC DAC notifies the resident of rejected mail. The mail may be returned to you or destroyed depending on the content. You will not always receive a notification. If a letter does not arrive after two weeks, call (252) 223-5100.
MailPlain cards are accepted. Avoid cards with glitter, heavy perfume, or anything glued or attached to the paper, as those may be rejected. When in doubt, call (252) 223-5100 to confirm.
MailYes. All mail is subject to inspection by NC DAC staff. Do not include information about legal proceedings or anything you would not want read by facility personnel.
MailGet the OPUS number you need before addressing any mail.
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All information on this page comes directly from official government and facility sources. How we verify information › Last verified July 8, 2026.