Mail & Photos to Pasquotank CI. TextBehind Address & Rules

Why Pasquotank Uses TextBehind

NC DAC uses TextBehind to reduce contraband introduced through the mail. When you mail a letter to the TextBehind address, their staff scans it and sends a digital copy to the facility. The person inside receives a printed page, not the original envelope or paper. This process means the original physical letter does not enter the facility, which eliminates paper-based contraband risk.

Because of this, the address on your envelope must be the TextBehind P.O. Box, not the facility’s physical address in Elizabeth City. Mail sent to the Elizabeth City address will likely be returned or delayed.

Address for Personal Mail (TextBehind)

Send personal letters and photos to:

Pasquotank Correctional Institution [Full Legal Name, OPUS Number] P.O. Box 247 Phoenix, MD 21131

Write each line separately. Put the person’s full legal name and OPUS number on the same line, or on adjacent lines, in the address block. Use the name exactly as it appears on their NC DAC record.

Find their OPUS number with the NC OPI inmate search if you do not already have it.

Address for Books and Publications

Books, magazines, and other publications do not go through TextBehind. They mail directly to the facility:

[Full Legal Name, OPUS Number] Pasquotank Correctional Institution 527 Commerce Drive Elizabeth City, NC 27906

NC DAC requires that books and publications come from a publisher, bookstore, or approved vendor. They cannot arrive from a private individual. Softcover books are generally acceptable. Hardcover books may be restricted. Call (252) 331-4881 to confirm the current policy before sending any book or magazine.

Address for Legal Mail

Legal mail, including mail from an attorney, courts, or government agencies, does NOT go through TextBehind. Legal mail is handled separately under stricter rules. Contact the facility at (252) 331-4881 to ask how to properly address legal mail and confirm the current process before sending.

Legal mail is typically opened and inspected in front of the inmate to verify it is actually legal correspondence and contains no contraband. The content is not read by staff.

Sending Photos Through TextBehind

Photos are included with your TextBehind letter. When you mail photos to the TextBehind address, they are scanned along with your letter and delivered as a printed page. Keep the following in mind:

• Photos should be standard print size (4x6 is common and safe).
• Do not send photos with explicit content, nudity, weapons, drugs, alcohol, or gang-related imagery. These will be rejected.
• Do not tape or staple photos to your letter. Place them loose inside the envelope.
• TextBehind delivers a scanned copy, not the original photo, so photo quality in the printed version may vary.

What to Write on the Envelope

The outside of your envelope should show:

• Your full return address in the upper left corner
• The TextBehind P.O. Box address (for personal mail) in the center
• The person’s full legal name and OPUS number as part of the address

Do not seal anything inside the envelope that could interfere with scanning: no stickers, glitter, tape across the letter, spiral notebooks, or items attached to the paper.

Processing Time

TextBehind processes mail and delivers it digitally to the facility. The full process from when you mail the letter to when the person receives the printed copy typically takes several business days. Allow extra time for holidays and weekends.

Mail sent directly to the facility in Elizabeth City instead of the TextBehind address will likely be returned to you, adding days or weeks to the process.

What Gets Rejected

Your mail will be rejected and returned, or the person will not receive it, if it contains:

• Explicit sexual content or nudity
• Photos or drawings of weapons, drugs, or alcohol
• Gang symbols or gang-related content
• Threatening or harassing language directed at staff or other inmates
• Cash, checks, gift cards, or anything of monetary value
• Stickers, glitter, or items that cannot be scanned cleanly
• Anything that appears to be coded or contain hidden messages

If mail is rejected, the facility is supposed to notify the person inside. Ask them to let you know if something you sent did not arrive so you can resend it correctly.

Do Not Mail Cash

Never put cash in a letter. It will be confiscated and will not be credited to the person’s account. Use ConnectNetwork or Western Union to add money to their trust account.

Packages

NC DAC restricts packages sent to state prisons. Most personal items and packages from family members are not accepted at Pasquotank CI. Approved items must come through the NC Inmate Package Program at ncinmatepackage.com. Call (252) 331-4881 to confirm what is available and how to order before purchasing anything.

Keeping Contact While You Plan a Visit

Mail is a good way to stay connected between phone calls and visits. Once you have confirmed the person’s OPUS number and mailed your first letter through TextBehind, it typically takes a few days for them to receive it. If they do not mention receiving your letter after 10 to 14 days, call (252) 331-4881 to ask if there was a mail processing issue.

Send Photos and Letters with Pigeonly

The easiest way to send photos and letters to someone at Pasquotank 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.