Mail and Photos to Moore County Detention Center. Address and Rules

Mailing Address

Use this exact format for all mail:

[Inmate Full Name and Inmate ID#]
Moore County Detention Center
PO Box 159
Carthage, NC 28327

Do not use the physical address (302 S McNeil Street) for inmate mail. All inmate mail routes through the PO Box.

Always include:

• The person’s full legal name (first and last, exactly as it appears in jail records)
• Their inmate ID number (get this from the Moore County roster at webapps.moorecountync.gov/dcn/)
• Your full return address with your first and last name

Mail without a complete return address or missing the inmate ID may be delayed or returned.

What to Write With

Use blue or black ink only. Pencil is not accepted. Keep your writing clear and legible.

What’s Accepted

Letters and cards:

• Standard letters and envelopes
• Postcards
• Greeting cards (store-bought or handwritten)
• No glitter, stickers, confetti, or embellishments added to cards or envelopes

Photos:

• Standard printed photos are generally accepted
• Keep photos appropriate: no sexual content, no gang-related imagery, no content depicting weapons or violence
• Call (910) 947-2980 to confirm current photo size limits before mailing

Books:

• Paperback books only, no hardcover
• Must ship directly from an approved retailer: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Books-A-Million
• Do not include books inside a package with other items: ship books on their own directly from the retailer

Magazines and newspapers:

• Must arrive directly from the publisher or a magazine subscription service
• Do not send back-issues you already own in an envelope

What Is Not Allowed

• Cash or coins (send money through JailATM instead: see the send money guide)
• Personal checks or money orders inside an envelope (money orders should go to the PO Box address only if mailing a deposit, not with a letter)
• Sexually explicit content
• Violent or threatening content
• Gang-related imagery or symbols
• Hardcover books
• Books not shipped directly from an approved retailer
• Stickers, glitter, confetti, or anything attached to cards
• Packages or padded envelopes that are not pre-approved

Attempting to send contraband through the mail is a criminal offense and can result in prosecution.

How Mail Is Inspected

All mail at Moore County is opened and inspected by staff before it reaches the person in custody. This is standard practice at county jails. Inspections look for contraband, prohibited content, and items that violate the facility’s mail rules.

If something in your letter causes concern, the mail may be held, returned, or forwarded to investigators. Keep your letters personal and appropriate.

Legal and Attorney Mail

Legal mail from attorneys is handled separately from regular mail. If you are an attorney mailing legal documents, contact Moore County Detention Center at (910) 947-2980 to ask about certified or legal mail procedures. Legal mail may be opened in front of the inmate but not read by staff.

What to Do If Mail Is Rejected

If your mail is returned or the person tells you they did not receive it:

1. Check the return envelope for a rejection reason
2. Make sure you used the correct PO Box address and included the inmate ID
3. Confirm the person is still at Moore County by checking the Moore County roster
4. Call (910) 947-2980 and ask about the specific piece of mail

Rejected mail may be returned to you or held at the facility depending on the reason.

Sending Books from Amazon

To send a book through Amazon:

1. Search for the book on Amazon and confirm it is available in paperback
2. Add it to your cart and proceed to checkout
3. Enter the mailing address exactly as shown above (PO Box 159, Carthage, NC 28327)
4. Enter the person’s full name and inmate ID in the name field or delivery note
5. Choose standard or economy shipping (express or priority may cause inspection delays at some facilities)

The package will arrive from Amazon directly, which satisfies the “must ship from approved retailer” rule. Do not re-ship a book you already received: the facility checks where the package originated.

Staying Connected Between Letters

Letters take time. While you wait, NCIC phone calls and remote video visits let you connect faster. See the phone calls guide and the visitation guide for those options.

Send Photos and Letters with Pigeonly

The easiest way to send photos and letters to someone at Moore County Detention 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.