Personal mail goes through TextBehind. Send to P.O. Box 247, Phoenix, MD 21131 with the OPUS Number.
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Personal mail to Marion Correctional Institution goes through TextBehind, a mail scanning service used by NC DAC. You send letters and photos to a TextBehind processing center in Phoenix, Maryland. TextBehind scans them and delivers the content electronically to the person’s tablet inside the facility. Physical originals can be retrieved within 30 days for a $2.50 fee. Books and publications ship directly to the facility in Marion. Legal mail does not go through TextBehind. You do not need to be an approved visitor to send mail.
Marion Correctional Institution uses TextBehind for personal mail. You do not send letters directly to 355 Old Glenwood Road in Marion. Instead, you mail them to a TextBehind processing center in Phoenix, Maryland. TextBehind staff scan each piece of mail and deliver the content electronically to the person’s tablet inside the facility.
This system lets NC DAC review mail for contraband without delaying delivery. Most content arrives electronically within one to two business days of TextBehind receiving your letter.
Use this exact format for every piece of mail:
[Full Legal Name, OPUS Number] Marion Correctional Institution P.O. Box 247 Phoenix, MD 21131
Use the person’s full legal name exactly as it appears in the NC OPI system. Include their OPUS Number on the same line as the name. Find the OPUS Number using the NC OPI inmate search. An incorrect format can delay or return your mail.
Your return address must include your full first and last name. No initials, no nicknames. Mail that arrives without a complete return address will be returned to you unopened. Write your full name and mailing address clearly in the upper left corner of every envelope.
TextBehind accepts standard letters and personal photos. Photos are scanned just like letters and displayed on the person’s tablet. Standard print photo sizes work best.
TextBehind does NOT accept:
Sending any of these items to the TextBehind address will cause the mail to be returned or rejected.
Standard 4x6 print photos work well. Do not send Polaroids or photos that are part of a card containing prohibited materials. If there is any doubt about whether a photo meets the rules, send it alone in a plain envelope with nothing else included.
If you want your original letter or photo returned, you can request it within 30 days for a $2.50 fee. Check TextBehind’s website for the retrieval request process and current instructions.
Books, magazines, and other publications do NOT go through TextBehind. Order them from a publisher or retailer and have them shipped directly to:
Marion Correctional Institution 355 Old Glenwood Road Marion, NC 28752
The facility may have rules about which publishers or retailers are accepted and whether publications must be new. Call Marion CI at (828) 803-6300 to confirm current rules before ordering.
Legal mail does NOT go through TextBehind. Attorney correspondence, court documents, and any other legal mail should go directly to:
Marion Correctional Institution 355 Old Glenwood Road Marion, NC 28752
Call Marion CI at (828) 803-6300 for specific guidance on legal mail procedures.
If a piece of mail is rejected, TextBehind or the facility will return it to you. Common reasons include a missing or incomplete return address, prohibited content, or an incorrect mailing address format. Check the format carefully every time before you drop the envelope in the mail.
TextBehind typically scans and delivers mail electronically within one to two business days of receiving it. Allow extra time around holidays or if you are sending from a remote location. If a letter does not seem to have arrived, contact TextBehind or call Marion CI at (828) 803-6300 to check on delivery.
You do not need to be on the approved visitor list to send mail. Mail through TextBehind is a good way to stay connected while your visitor application is being processed. See the visitation guide for how the approval process works.
The easiest way to send photos and letters to someone at Marion 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.
6 of 15 questions
Personal mail goes through TextBehind. Send to: [Full Legal Name, OPUS Number], Marion Correctional Institution, P.O. Box 247, Phoenix, MD 21131. Do not send personal letters directly to 355 Old Glenwood Road in Marion.
Mail & PhotosTextBehind is a mail scanning service used by NC DAC. You mail letters and photos to their processing center in Phoenix, Maryland. TextBehind scans each piece and delivers the content electronically to the person's tablet inside Marion CI.
Mail & PhotosTextBehind typically scans and delivers mail electronically within one to two business days of receiving it. Allow extra time around holidays.
Mail & PhotosYes. Photos are scanned like letters and delivered electronically to the person's tablet. Standard 4x6 print sizes work best. Do not attach photos to cards that contain prohibited materials. You can also send photos through Pigeonly, which prints and mails them for you.
Mail & PhotosNo. You can send mail through TextBehind regardless of your visitor approval status. Mail is a good way to stay connected while waiting for your visitor application to be processed.
Mail & PhotosYour full first and last name. No initials or nicknames. Mail that arrives without a complete return address will be returned to you unopened.
Mail & PhotosNot through TextBehind. Books and publications must be ordered from a publisher or retailer and shipped directly to Marion Correctional Institution, 355 Old Glenwood Road, Marion, NC 28752. Call (828) 803-6300 to confirm which vendors and formats are accepted.
Mail & PhotosNo. TextBehind does not accept stamps, stationery, paper, or envelopes. Only the letter or photo content is scanned and delivered.
Mail & PhotosYes. You can request retrieval within 30 days for a $2.50 fee. Check TextBehind's website for the current retrieval process.
Mail & PhotosLegal mail does not go through TextBehind. Send attorney correspondence and court documents directly to Marion Correctional Institution, 355 Old Glenwood Road, Marion, NC 28752. Call (828) 803-6300 for guidance on legal mail procedures.
Mail & PhotosTextBehind or the facility will return it to you. Common reasons include a missing return address, prohibited content, or an incorrect address format. Check the format carefully before mailing.
Mail & PhotosNo. Electronic cards, musical cards, and pop-up cards are not accepted through TextBehind.
Mail & PhotosNo. Money orders, cash, gift cards, and credit cards are not accepted through TextBehind. Use ConnectNetwork to send funds. See the send money guide for all deposit options.
Mail & PhotosThe OPUS Number is the unique ID assigned to each person in NC state custody. Find it with the NC OPI inmate search at webapps.doc.state.nc.us/opi/offendersearch.do?method=view. You must include it on every piece of mail.
Mail & PhotosPersonal packages are not accepted through TextBehind or the regular mail. For approved items, check ncinmatepackage.com (NC Inmate Package Program). Call (828) 803-6300 to confirm current package rules.
Mail & PhotosBook an in-person or video visit once your application is approved.
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View ArticleDeposit funds through ConnectNetwork or order items at ncinmatepackage.com.
View ArticleGet the OPUS Number you need for mail and deposits.
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All information on this page comes directly from official government and facility sources. How we verify information › Last verified July 7, 2026.