Commissary and phone are two separate accounts. InmateCanteen handles commissary. NCIC handles phone.
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McDowell County Detention Facility uses two separate vendors for financial accounts. Commissary deposits go through InmateCanteen at team3.inmatecanteen.com. Phone account funding goes through NCIC at accounts.ncic.com. These are completely separate systems. Money you put into InmateCanteen does not carry over to the NCIC phone account, and vice versa. You need to fund both if you want the person to have access to commissary items and to make calls.
This is the most important thing to know about sending money at McDowell County Detention: commissary and phone are not the same account.
Many county jails use one vendor for both. McDowell County Detention does not. Here is how it breaks down:
| Account | Vendor | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Commissary (food, hygiene, etc.) | InmateCanteen | team3.inmatecanteen.com |
| Phone calls and video visits | NCIC | accounts.ncic.com |
If you deposit through InmateCanteen, that money is available for commissary orders only. The person cannot use it to make phone calls. If you fund through NCIC, that money pays for calls and video visits but cannot be spent in the commissary.
To make sure the person has access to both, you need to add money to each account separately.
Step 1. Go to team3.inmatecanteen.com on your phone or computer.
Step 2. Create a free InmateCanteen account or log in if you already have one.
Step 3. Search for McDowell County Detention Facility and select it.
Step 4. Search for the person by name or inmate number.
Step 5. Enter the amount you want to deposit.
Step 6. Pay by debit or credit card. A service fee applies. The fee is shown before you confirm.
Step 7. Your deposit is submitted. Processing time varies but is typically within a few hours to one business day.
If you’d rather deposit in person, there is a 24/7 lobby kiosk at McDowell County Detention Facility at 593 Spaulding Road, Marion, NC 28752. The kiosk accepts cash and card deposits for commissary. It is available any time of day or night, even outside of regular business hours.
This is a good option if you don’t have internet access at home or if you want to make a quick same-day deposit.
NCIC handles phone calls and video visits at McDowell County Detention. To fund the NCIC account:
Step 1. Go to accounts.ncic.com on your phone or computer.
Step 2. Create a free NCIC account or log in.
Step 3. Add McDowell County Detention Facility to your account.
Step 4. Find the person and add funds to their phone account.
Step 5. Pay by debit or credit card. Fees apply and are shown before you confirm.
If you prefer to do this by phone, call NCIC at 800-943-2189. They can help you set up an account and make a deposit over the phone.
InmateCanteen (commissary account):
NCIC (phone account):
If your InmateCanteen deposit is not showing up:
If your NCIC deposit is not showing up:
If the person was recently booked or transferred, accounts may take time to activate. Confirm they are still at McDowell County Detention by checking the McDowell Sheriff NC app or calling (828) 652-2236.
If the person is transferred to a different facility, contact each vendor to find out what happens to remaining funds. Policies vary. Some vendors transfer the balance, others hold it or refund it. Contact InmateCanteen and NCIC separately if a transfer happens.
Deposit limits may apply at both vendors. The specific limits depend on the facility’s rules and the vendor’s policies. Check your account or call each vendor for current limits.
6 of 12 questions
Use InmateCanteen at team3.inmatecanteen.com. Create an account, find McDowell County Detention Facility, search for the person, enter an amount, and pay by card. You can also use the 24/7 lobby kiosk at the facility.
Send MoneyPhone accounts are through NCIC, not InmateCanteen. Go to accounts.ncic.com or call 800-943-2189 to add funds to the NCIC account.
Send MoneyNo. They are completely separate accounts run by different vendors. InmateCanteen handles commissary. NCIC handles phone calls and video visits. You need to fund each one separately.
Send MoneyYes. There is a 24/7 lobby kiosk at 593 Spaulding Road, Marion, NC 28752 that accepts cash and card deposits any time of day.
Send MoneyYes. Both InmateCanteen and NCIC charge service fees. The fee amount is shown before you confirm each transaction.
Send MoneyThe commissary account through InmateCanteen covers food, snacks, hygiene items, writing materials, and other items available on the facility's commissary list.
Send MoneyThe NCIC account pays for outbound phone calls, video visits scheduled through NCIC, and digital messaging through ncic.com.
Send MoneyInmateCanteen deposits typically process within a few hours to one business day. NCIC deposits can be faster. Timing depends on the payment method and day of deposit.
Send MoneyCheck the transaction status in your account first. For InmateCanteen, contact their support through the website. For NCIC, call 800-943-2189.
Send MoneyContact each vendor separately. Policies on transfers vary. InmateCanteen and NCIC each handle this differently. Call them as soon as you know about a transfer.
Send MoneyYou may need a booking or ID number for some deposit steps. Use the McDowell Sheriff NC app to find this, or call detention at (828) 652-2236.
Send MoneyFor NCIC, yes. Call 800-943-2189 to deposit over the phone. For InmateCanteen, the easiest options are their website or the lobby kiosk.
Send MoneyFund the NCIC account and the person can call you. Here is how it works.
View ArticleConfirm they're here before sending money.
View ArticleNCIC also handles video visits. Set one up here.
View ArticleSend a letter while the commissary order processes.
View ArticleSearch for your loved one and start sending photos, letters, and messages today.
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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.