Mail & Photos to Craven CI. TextBehind Address and Mail Rules

How TextBehind Works

NC DAC uses TextBehind for personal mail at Craven Correctional Institution. When you mail a letter or photo to the TextBehind address, TextBehind receives it at their processing facility in Phoenix, MD, scans it, and delivers it electronically to the person inside. The person reads the mail on a tablet or through the facility’s messaging system rather than receiving a physical envelope.

This means you mail to Phoenix, MD, not to Vanceboro, NC. Anything mailed directly to the facility address will likely be returned or rejected.

The Correct Mailing Address

Use this exact format for all personal mail through TextBehind:

Craven Correctional Institution
[Full Legal Name, OPUS Number]
P.O. Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131

Example:

Craven Correctional Institution
Jane Smith, 0012345
P.O. Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131

The OPUS Number is the unique NC state ID. Find it with the NC OPI inmate search at webapps.doc.state.nc.us/opi/offendersearch.do?method=view. See the inmate search guide for help.

Your Return Address

Your return address must include your full first and last name. Do not use initials only. Mail with an incomplete or initial-only return address will be returned undelivered.

Write your return address in the standard position in the upper-left corner of the envelope.

What TextBehind Accepts

TextBehind scans and delivers:

• Standard letters on white paper
• Photos (check TextBehind’s current guidelines for size and content rules at textbehind.com)
• Cards (standard, non-electronic)

Write the person’s full legal name and OPUS Number on every piece of mail, not just the envelope. If the envelope gets separated, the contents still route correctly.

What TextBehind Will NOT Accept

Do not send the following through TextBehind. These items will be rejected and returned or discarded:

• Packages
• Books or magazines
• Money orders or cash
• Stamps or stationery
• Credit cards
• Oversized envelopes
• Electronic or pop-up greeting cards
• Drugs or any contraband

Attempting to send contraband through mail is a criminal offense under North Carolina law.

Sending Books and Publications

Books and publications do not go through TextBehind. Ship them directly to the facility from a publisher or retailer:

[Full Legal Name, OPUS Number]
Craven Correctional Institution
600 Alligator Road
Vanceboro, NC 28586

Books must come from an approved publisher or retailer. Do not send used books or books with handwritten notes from home. Contact the facility at (252) 244-3337 to confirm current book policies before ordering.

Legal Mail

Legal mail, including correspondence from attorneys and court documents, does not go through TextBehind. Contact the facility directly at [email protected] for guidance on how to send legal mail and address it properly. Legal mail typically requires special handling to preserve confidentiality.

Mail Inspection and Processing Time

TextBehind scans mail for prohibited content before delivery. Allow a few days for processing after TextBehind receives your mail. Mail that contains prohibited content will not be delivered and may be returned. Contraband in mail results in criminal charges.

What Happens to Mail After a Transfer

Because Craven CI is an intake facility, your loved one will likely transfer to a permanent facility within 3 to 4 weeks. The TextBehind address format stays the same after the transfer. Update the facility name on the envelope to the new facility. The OPUS Number does not change. See the inmate search guide to track when and where they move.

Rejected Mail

If mail is rejected, TextBehind or the facility will typically notify you or return the item. Common reasons for rejection include a missing or incomplete return address, prohibited content, an incorrect OPUS Number, or use of an unapproved format. Correct the issue and resend.

Send Photos and Letters with Pigeonly

The easiest way to send photos and letters to someone at Craven Correctional Institution 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.