Send Money to Pender CI. ConnectNetwork Deposits and All Options

Who Can Send Money

NC DAC requires that only people on the inmate’s approved visitor list may deposit funds to their trust account. If you are not yet approved as a visitor, complete the visitor application process first. See the visitation guide for details on how to get approved.

If you are already approved, you can send money using any of the methods below.

What You Always Need

Every deposit method asks for two things:

1. The person’s full legal name (as it appears in the NC DAC system)
2. Their OPUS Number (find it using the NC OPI search)

Do not skip the OPUS Number. Deposits without it can be delayed or returned, which means the person goes without commissary or phone funds until the issue is resolved.

Option 1. Online Through ConnectNetwork

Go to ConnectNetwork.com and log in or create a free account. Search for Pender Correctional Institution, enter the person’s name and OPUS Number, choose a deposit amount, and pay with a debit or credit card.

Fees (online):

• $2.48 to $8.16 depending on deposit amount

Deposits typically post within a few hours.

Option 2. ConnectNetwork App

Download the ConnectNetwork app on your phone. The process is the same as online: find Pender CI, enter the OPUS Number, and complete the payment. The app also lets you manage AdvancePay for phone calls in the same place.

Option 3. Phone

Call the trust line at 888-428-1845 to make a deposit by phone. Have the person’s name and OPUS Number ready, along with a payment card.

Fees (phone):

• Vary by deposit amount; generally higher than online rates

Option 4. Western Union

Send money through Western Union using the payment code NCDAC TRUST. You can do this at any Western Union location or online at westernunion.com.

Fee: $3.00 flat

Use the exact payment code NCDAC TRUST. A wrong code sends the money to the wrong place and can be hard to recover.

Option 5. Money Order (Free)

This is the only fee-free option. Make the money order payable to TouchPay and mail it to:

TouchPay Holdings LLC PO Box 174 Houston, TX 77001-0174

Write the person’s full legal name and OPUS Number on the memo line. Allow extra time for mail delivery and processing. Money orders do not post as fast as electronic deposits.

What the Money Covers

Funds deposited to the trust account cover:

• Commissary: Food, hygiene products, and other approved items available through the facility store
• Phone calls: The person pays for calls from their account through ViaPath/ConnectNetwork
• Other authorized purchases: Contact the facility at (910) 259-8735 to confirm what applies at Pender CI

Men at Pender CI may be enrolled in vocational programs through Cape Fear Community College, the ACDP, or the horticultural therapy program. Trust funds help cover day-to-day needs while they are in those programs.

Package Ordering

To send approved items (food, hygiene, clothing), go through ncinmatepackage.com. This is NC DAC’s approved package vendor. Do not send personal packages directly to the facility.

Troubleshooting a Deposit

If a deposit does not appear on the person’s account within a day or two:

• Check that you entered the OPUS Number correctly
• Confirm you selected Pender Correctional Institution and not a different facility
• Contact ConnectNetwork support through ConnectNetwork.com or the app
• Call the trust line at 888-428-1845 or ViaPath support at 877-650-4249

If the deposit was returned, the most common cause is a wrong OPUS Number or name mismatch. Double-check the name using the NC OPI search and try again.

What Happens to Funds When the Person Transfers or Is Released

If the person transfers to another NC state facility, their trust account goes with them. If they are released, any remaining balance is returned to them per NC DAC policy. Contact the facility at (910) 259-8735 or ConnectNetwork for specific questions about account balances on transfer or release.

Trust Account vs. AdvancePay

ConnectNetwork handles both trust account deposits and AdvancePay phone accounts, but they are separate. Funding the trust account gives the person money to spend inside on commissary and phone charges debited from their account. Funding AdvancePay sets up a balance on your end so when the person calls your number, the charges come from your account. The phone calls guide covers how to set up AdvancePay.