Personal mail goes through TextBehind. Always include the OPUS number or your mail may not reach them.
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NC DAC routes personal mail for Mountain View Correctional Institution through TextBehind, a third-party mail processing service. You do not send letters directly to the facility. Instead, you address personal mail to the TextBehind processing center in Phoenix, Maryland, and they forward it. Books and approved publications mail directly to the facility in Spruce Pine. Legal mail follows a different process and does not go through TextBehind. Always include the person’s full legal name and OPUS number on every piece of mail.
NC DAC uses TextBehind to process personal mail for many of its facilities, including Mountain View Correctional Institution. TextBehind receives your letter, scans it for contraband, and delivers it to the facility. This means the physical mail you send goes to Phoenix, Maryland, not to Spruce Pine. Do not send personal letters directly to the Spruce Pine address or they may not be processed correctly.
TextBehind handles letters and cards. Books, publications, and packages follow different rules, covered below.
Address personal letters and cards to:
[Full Legal Name, OPUS Number] Mountain View Correctional Institution PO Box 247 Phoenix, MD 21131
The OPUS number is critical. Without it, staff may not be able to match your mail to the right person. Find the OPUS number using the NC OPI inmate search. Write your return address clearly on the envelope.
Books and approved publications do not go through TextBehind. Send them directly to the facility at:
[Full Legal Name, OPUS Number] Mountain View Correctional Institution 545 Amity Park Road Spruce Pine, NC 28777
Books must come from an approved publisher or vendor. Do not send used books from home or books purchased at a secondhand store. Call (828) 592-3000 to confirm current book rules before sending.
Mountain View accepts inmate packages through the NC inmate package program at ncinmatepackage.com. This website lets you order approved items to be shipped directly to the person. Orders must come through this vendor. Do not attempt to mail packages directly unless the facility has specifically approved it.
Visit ncinmatepackage.com and search for Mountain View Correctional Institution to see the current approved item list and order.
Legal mail (correspondence with attorneys, courts, and government agencies) does not go through TextBehind and is handled separately. Legal mail is opened in front of the person to confirm there is no contraband, but the contents are kept private. Contact the facility at (828) 592-3000 for the correct address and procedures for legal mail.
Photos are subject to NC DAC rules and can be rejected if they do not meet requirements. General guidelines for NC DAC facilities:
Always call (828) 592-3000 to confirm current photo rules before sending. Rules can change, and a rejected photo means a delay and an extra trip for the person to deal with the rejection paperwork.
Cards can be sent through the TextBehind address. Keep them simple: no pop-ups, no attached items, no glitter, no foil, and no stickers. A plain greeting card with a handwritten message is the safest option.
Mail can be rejected for several reasons:
If mail is rejected, the facility will typically send it back to the return address. Include your return address on every envelope.
Never put cash in a letter. Cash is not accepted and will be confiscated. To put money on the person’s account, use ViaPath/ConnectNetwork.
Mail sent through TextBehind typically takes a few days longer than direct mail because of the additional processing step. Plan accordingly if you are sending something for a specific date.
The easiest way to send photos and letters to someone at Mountain View 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.
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Personal mail goes through TextBehind. Address it to: [Full Legal Name, OPUS Number], Mountain View Correctional Institution, PO Box 247, Phoenix, MD 21131. Books and publications mail directly to 545 Amity Park Road, Spruce Pine, NC 28777.
MailNC DAC routes personal mail through TextBehind, a third-party mail processing service in Phoenix, MD. TextBehind scans mail for contraband and forwards it to the facility. Do not send personal letters directly to the Spruce Pine address.
MailOPUS stands for Offender Population Unified System. It is the unique ID NC DAC assigns to each person. Without it, staff may not be able to match your mail to the right person. Find it with the NC OPI inmate search.
MailYes, but photos must meet NC DAC requirements: standard print size (typically 4x6), no explicit content, no weapons or drug imagery, no Polaroids, no glitter or stickers. Call (828) 592-3000 to confirm current photo rules before sending. You can also send photos through Pigeonly, which prints and mails them for you.
MailBooks must come from an approved publisher or vendor and mail directly to 545 Amity Park Road, Spruce Pine, NC 28777 with the person's name and OPUS number. Do not send used books from home. Call (828) 592-3000 to confirm current book rules.
MailYes, through the NC inmate package program at ncinmatepackage.com. Order approved items through that website and they ship directly to Mountain View. Do not mail packages on your own unless the facility has specifically approved it.
MailLegal mail does not go through TextBehind. Contact the facility at (828) 592-3000 for the correct address and procedures for attorney correspondence, court documents, and government agency mail.
MailNo. Cash is not accepted and will be confiscated. Use ViaPath/ConnectNetwork to deposit money to the person's trust account instead.
MailCommon reasons include a missing or incorrect OPUS number, prohibited content (explicit material, drug or gang references, coded messages), photos that do not meet size or content rules, books from non-approved sources, or envelopes with excessive tape or wrapping. Include your return address so rejected mail can be returned to you.
MailMail through TextBehind takes a few days longer than direct mail because of the extra processing step. Plan ahead if you are sending something for a specific occasion.
MailYes. Send it through the TextBehind address. Keep it simple: no pop-up elements, no glitter, no foil, no stickers, and no attached items. A plain card with a handwritten message is the safest option.
MailIf you send personal mail to 545 Amity Park Road instead of the TextBehind address, it may not be processed correctly or could be delayed. Always use the TextBehind address (PO Box 247, Phoenix, MD 21131) for personal letters and cards.
MailSend funds through ConnectNetwork instead of mailing cash.
View ArticleGet the OPUS number you need to address every letter correctly.
View ArticlePlan an in-person visit when a letter is not enough.
View ArticleSet up ConnectNetwork so the person can call you from inside.
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.