Mail and Photos to Gaston County Jail. Address and Rules

The Correct Mailing Address

Send all personal mail to:

[Full Legal Name, Global Subject Number]
Gaston County Jail
P.O. Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131

Write each item on its own line. Do not combine the name and number on the same line as the facility name.

The Global Subject Number is the unique identifier assigned to the person at Gaston County Jail. Find it on the live roster at gastoncountysheriffsoffice.com/inmate-search-disclaimer/. Without the correct number, your mail may not reach the right person. See the inmate search guide to find it.

About the Phoenix, MD Address

As of March 1, 2024, Gaston County Jail processes personal mail through a scan-and-forward service. The physical mail goes to P.O. Box 247 in Phoenix, Maryland, where it is scanned and converted into a digital file. That file is then delivered to the person’s tablet inside the jail.

Note about P.O. Box 247: This same P.O. Box is also used by the NC Department of Adult Correction’s TextBehind mail service for state prison inmates. The facility name line, “Gaston County Jail,” is what routes your letter to the correct destination. Double-check that “Gaston County Jail” is on the address every time you write it out. If you accidentally leave off the facility name, your letter could be misrouted.

Return Address Rules

Your return address must include your full first and last name. Initials alone are not accepted. Mail without a full sender name will be returned to you without being delivered.

Write your return address clearly in the upper left corner of the envelope:

[Your Full First Name Last Name]
[Your Street Address]
[Your City, State ZIP Code]

What Happens to Your Mail

After the scan-and-forward center in Phoenix receives your letter, it is inspected and scanned. The digital version is delivered to the person’s tablet. Physical letters are not forwarded to the jail. The person reads your letter on their tablet.

Delivery typically takes a few business days from when the Phoenix center receives the envelope. Standard mail transit time from your location to Phoenix, MD adds to that window.

Processing Time

Allow 5 to 7 days from the time you mail the letter for delivery. Mail sent from the Southeast reaches Phoenix within 2 to 3 postal days. Processing on the Phoenix end usually takes 1 to 2 business days. For time-sensitive messages, consider using GettingOut digital messaging at gettingout.com for faster delivery.

Sending Books

Books may be sent to people at Gaston County Jail, but they must ship directly from approved retailers only:

• Amazon
• Barnes and Noble
• Books-A-Million

No hardcover books. Paperback only.

Maximum of 3 books at a time.

Do not wrap books in a gift package or include additional items in the box. Ship straight from the retailer to the P.O. Box 247, Phoenix, MD 21131 address, using the same format (full name and Global Subject Number on the shipping label).

What Is Not Allowed

• Cash or money orders in an envelope: Do not mail money. Use Inmate Canteen at team3.inmatecanteen.com to deposit funds.
• Hardcover books: Paperback only.
• More than 3 books at a time.
• Explicit or sexually suggestive content.
• Content depicting violence, weapons, drugs, or gang imagery.
• Envelopes containing glitter, stickers, or attached decorations.
• Books or packages from non-approved retailers.

Mail that violates these rules may be rejected and not delivered. You will generally be notified if a piece of mail is rejected.

Legal Mail

The confirmed mailing address for legal mail after the March 2024 scan-and-forward transition was not published on the official Gaston County Sheriff’s Office website at the time this guide was written. Legal mail, including correspondence from attorneys and courts, may be handled differently and may not go through the Phoenix scan-and-forward address.

Call (704) 869-6868 Monday through Friday 8 AM to 5 PM to confirm the correct legal mail address before sending any attorney correspondence, court documents, or other legal materials. Mailing legal correspondence to the wrong address could cause serious delays.

Digital Messaging Through GettingOut

For faster delivery, you can send messages digitally through GettingOut at gettingout.com or the Getting Out mobile app. GettingOut delivers messages to the person’s tablet and is a faster alternative to mailing a physical letter.

IC Solutions, which handles phone calls and video visits at Gaston County Jail, also offers secure messaging and photo sending through its platform at icsolutions.com. Both options let you stay in contact without waiting for mail.

What If Your Letter Is Returned?

If your letter comes back to you, check:

1. The return address: did you include your full first and last name? Initials are not accepted.
2. The mailing address: did you include the Global Subject Number and write “Gaston County Jail” on the facility line?
3. The content: did the letter contain anything on the prohibited list above?

If the letter looks correct but was still returned, call the jail info line at (704) 869-6868 Monday through Friday 8 AM to 5 PM for help.

Send Photos and Letters with Pigeonly

The easiest way to send photos and letters to someone at Gaston County Jail 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.