Mail and Photos to Piedmont CI. TextBehind Address and Rules

Personal Mail and Photos Through TextBehind

Piedmont Correctional Institution processes personal mail and photos through TextBehind. When you mail a letter or photo to the TextBehind P.O. Box, TextBehind scans it and sends a digital version to the facility for delivery. The physical paper does not go to the prison.

TextBehind address for personal mail and photos:

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

Put each line on its own line. Do not combine the name and OPUS Number on separate lines; put them together on the first line, separated by a comma.

Example:

Jane Smith, 1234567
Piedmont Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131

Your return address must include your full first and last name. Do not use initials only.

What TextBehind Accepts

TextBehind processes:

• Personal letters: standard letter-size pages, written or typed
• Photos: printed photographs that meet content guidelines

All content is subject to inspection. Do not include anything in a letter that would violate facility rules. Content that is deemed inappropriate, threatening, or that contains coded language can result in the mail being rejected and the sender flagged.

What TextBehind Does Not Accept

Do not send the following through TextBehind:

• Packages of any kind
• Books, magazines, or publications (see section below for the correct address)
• Money orders or cash
• Stamps
• Greeting cards with embedded electronics (musical cards, light-up cards)
• Anything drug-related
• Oversized envelopes

Sending prohibited items to TextBehind can delay delivery and may result in the item being returned or discarded.

Books and Publications

Books, magazines, and other publications do not go through TextBehind. Mail them directly to the facility at:

[Full Legal Name, OPUS Number]
Piedmont Correctional Institution
1245 Camp Road
Salisbury, NC 28147

Books must typically be new and sent directly from a publisher or approved retailer. Used books sent from home may be rejected. Contact Piedmont CI at (980) 407-6300 to confirm the current policy on book sources before mailing.

Legal Mail

Legal mail, including correspondence from attorneys and courts, does not go through TextBehind. Sending legal mail to the TextBehind address can result in delays, misrouting, or a breach of attorney-client privilege.

For legal mail procedures, contact Piedmont CI directly at (980) 407-6300. They can confirm the correct address and procedures for certified mail, attorney correspondence, and court documents.

Finding the OPUS Number

Every piece of mail requires the person’s OPUS Number. Find it using the NC DAC Offender Public Information search at webapps.doc.state.nc.us/opi/offendersearch.do?method=view. Search by name and write down the number. Mail without the correct OPUS Number can be delayed or returned.

See the inmate search guide for step-by-step instructions on using the OPI tool.

Mail Inspection

All mail at Piedmont CI is opened and inspected before delivery. This includes personal letters and photos processed through TextBehind. Do not include anything in a letter you would not want facility staff to read.

What Happens to Rejected Mail

If a piece of mail is rejected, the sender may be notified. The item is either returned to the sender or discarded, depending on the reason for rejection. If a letter you sent does not arrive, contact Piedmont CI at (980) 407-6300 to ask about the status.

Processing Time

TextBehind typically scans and delivers mail within 3 to 5 business days. Direct mail to the Salisbury address for books follows standard USPS delivery timelines plus facility processing, which can add 3 to 7 days.

What Happens to Mail If the Person Transfers

Piedmont CI is a reception and diagnostic facility. If the person transfers before your mail arrives, mail sent to TextBehind may be forwarded or returned, depending on timing. Use the NC OPI search to confirm their current location before mailing, especially if they are early in their sentence and still in the intake process.

Sending Photos

Photos sent through TextBehind must follow content guidelines. Prohibited photo content includes nudity, gang-related imagery, maps, facility layouts, and anything that depicts violence or weapons. Photos are scanned and reviewed before delivery. Stick to family photos, personal portraits, and appropriate scenes.

Packages

Standard packages from home are not accepted at Piedmont CI through the mail. Approved packages are available through the NC inmate package vendor at ncinmatepackage.com (Union Supply Direct). See the send money guide for more on the approved vendor system.

Send Photos and Letters with Pigeonly

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