Mail & Photos to Richmond CI. TextBehind Rules and Direct Mail Address | Pigeonly
← Back to Richmond Correctional Institution, NC

Mail & Photos to Richmond CI. TextBehind Rules and Direct Mail Address

Personal mail goes through TextBehind. Direct mail for books and legal mail ships to Hoffman, NC 28347.

Stay Connected

Connect with inmates in Richmond Correctional Institution, NC

Send letters and photos in minutes

Overview

Personal mail for Richmond Correctional Institution goes through TextBehind, a scan-and-forward service. You send your letter to TextBehind’s address in Phoenix, MD, and they scan and deliver it to the facility. Books, publications, and legal mail go directly to the facility at 1573 McDonald Church Road, Hoffman, NC 28347. Use Hoffman, not Rockingham, for direct mail. All mail is inspected before delivery. Include the person’s full legal name and OPUS Number on everything you send.

Quick Facts

  • Personal mail: TextBehind scan-and-forward service.
  • TextBehind address: [Full Name] #[OPUS Number] / Richmond Correctional Institution / P.O. Box 247 / Phoenix, MD 21131.
  • Your return address must include your full first AND last name or the letter will be returned.
  • Books and publications: ship directly to 1573 McDonald Church Road, Hoffman, NC 28347.
  • Legal mail: send directly to the facility at the Hoffman address.
  • All mail is inspected before delivery to the person inside.
  • Do not send cash, money orders, stamps, stickers, glitter, or scented items.
  • Photos must meet facility content guidelines. Explicit or gang-related images are rejected.
  • Rejected mail is returned to sender when a valid return address is included.
  • Packages go through ncinmatepackage.com, not direct mail to the facility.

How to Send Personal Mail

Personal letters and photos to Richmond Correctional Institution go through TextBehind. You send the mail to TextBehind’s processing address, and they scan and forward it to the facility.

TextBehind mailing address:

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

Put each part on its own line exactly as shown. The OPUS Number goes on the same line as the name, after a comma or following a # symbol. Find the OPUS Number using the NC OPI inmate search.

Your return address must include your full first name and last name. If you write only a first name or a nickname, the letter will be returned undelivered.

Why TextBehind

NC DAC uses TextBehind so that all personal mail passes through a scanning process before reaching anyone inside the facility. This helps the facility screen for prohibited content while letting letters and photos get through faster than traditional mail sorting.

Books, magazines, and other publications go directly to the facility, not to TextBehind:

Direct mail address:

[Full Legal Name, OPUS Number] Richmond Correctional Institution 1573 McDonald Church Road Hoffman, NC 28347

Use Hoffman, NC 28347 for all direct mail. Do not use Rockingham. Using the wrong city can delay or misroute the mail.

Legal mail, including court documents and attorney correspondence, also ships directly to the facility address above. Legal mail receives separate handling and must be clearly marked as legal correspondence on the outside of the envelope.

What You Can Send

  • Handwritten or typed letters on plain paper
  • Printed photos (see photo guidelines below)
  • Cards without pop-up features, glitter, or attached items
  • Books and publications sent directly from a publisher or retailer
  • Legal documents via direct mail

What Is Not Allowed

Do not include any of the following or the mail will be rejected:

  • Cash or checks
  • Money orders
  • Stamps
  • Stickers, glitter, or metallic elements
  • Scented items or perfume
  • Staples or paper clips
  • Polaroid or instant-print photos
  • Photos with sexually explicit content
  • Images with gang-related symbols or imagery
  • Blank envelopes enclosed inside
  • Written content that threatens facility security or constitutes a criminal communication

Photo Guidelines

Photos are allowed, but they must follow facility content rules:

  • Standard print sizes (4x6 is typical)
  • No explicit nudity
  • No gang-related imagery or symbols
  • No photos depicting weapons, drugs, or alcohol
  • Printed photos only, not Polaroid or instant prints

If you are not sure whether a photo will be accepted, send it through TextBehind and keep a copy. Rejected photos are typically returned with a notice explaining the reason.

Sending Books and Magazines

Books and magazines must ship directly from a publisher, retailer, or distributor. The facility does not accept books mailed from a personal address. Order from Amazon, a bookstore, or a publisher and ship to the facility at 1573 McDonald Church Road, Hoffman, NC 28347. Include the person’s name and OPUS Number in the shipping address.

Approved reading material must not contain content that poses a security risk or that the facility has specifically prohibited.

Processing Time

TextBehind typically processes mail within a few business days of receipt. From there, the facility distributes mail during regular mail call. Total delivery time depends on how quickly you send the letter and how quickly TextBehind processes it. Budget about one week from mailing to delivery.

What Happens to Rejected Mail

If mail is rejected, the facility or TextBehind returns it to the sender if a valid return address is included. This is why your full first and last name must appear on the return address. If mail disappears without being delivered, contact TextBehind or call Richmond CI at (910) 281-3161.

Court orders, attorney letters, and other official legal documents go directly to the facility. Mark the envelope clearly as legal mail. Legal mail typically receives separate handling and may be opened in front of the person inside rather than inspected without them present.

Sending Packages

Packages do not go through TextBehind or direct facility mail. Use the NC Inmate Package program at ncinmatepackage.com. This program lists approved vendors and item categories. Do not send packages directly to the facility; they will not be accepted.

Send Photos and Letters with Pigeonly

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

Families Also Ask

6 of 13 questions

Q

What is the mailing address for Richmond Correctional Institution?

Personal mail goes through TextBehind. Send to: [Full Legal Name, OPUS Number], Richmond Correctional Institution, P.O. Box 247, Phoenix, MD 21131. Books and legal mail go to: [Full Legal Name, OPUS Number], Richmond Correctional Institution, 1573 McDonald Church Road, Hoffman, NC 28347.

Mail
Q

Why does my letter go to Phoenix, MD instead of Hoffman, NC?

NC DAC uses TextBehind, a scan-and-forward service. You send the letter to TextBehind in Phoenix, MD, they scan it, and forward it to the facility. It is the required method for all personal mail in the NC state prison system.

Mail
Q

Do I need to include the OPUS Number on the envelope?

Yes. Include the person's full legal name and OPUS Number on every piece of mail. Find the OPUS Number using the NC OPI inmate search at webapps.doc.state.nc.us/opi/offendersearch.do?method=view.

Mail
Q

My letter was returned. Why?

The most common reasons are a missing or incomplete return address (full first and last name required), missing OPUS Number, or prohibited content. Check all three and resend.

Mail
Q

Can I send photos?

Yes. Send printed photos through TextBehind with your letter. Standard 4x6 prints work well. No explicit content, gang imagery, or Polaroid prints. Keep a copy before sending. You can also send photos through Pigeonly, which prints and mails them for you.

Mail
Q

Can I send books or magazines?

Yes, but ship directly from a publisher or retailer to 1573 McDonald Church Road, Hoffman, NC 28347. Do not mail books from your home address. Include the person's name and OPUS Number.

Mail
Q

Why can't I use Rockingham as the address?

The facility's city is Hoffman, not Rockingham. Using the wrong city can cause the mail to be delayed or misrouted. Always use Hoffman, NC 28347 for direct mail.

Mail
Q

Can I send cash or a money order in the mail?

No. Cash and money orders sent through the mail will be rejected. Use ConnectNetwork for money deposits. See the send money guide for all options.

Mail
Q

Can I send stamps?

No. Stamps are not allowed in mail to Richmond CI. The person inside purchases stamps through commissary.

Mail
Q

How long does mail take to arrive?

Budget about one week from mailing to delivery. TextBehind typically processes mail within a few business days, and then the facility distributes it during mail call.

Mail
Q

How do I send a package?

Packages go through the NC Inmate Package program at ncinmatepackage.com. Do not send packages directly to the facility or through TextBehind. Only approved vendors and items are accepted.

Mail
Q

How do I send legal documents?

Legal mail goes directly to 1573 McDonald Church Road, Hoffman, NC 28347. Mark the envelope clearly as legal mail. Legal mail receives separate handling and may be opened in the person's presence.

Mail
Q

What happens if my mail is rejected?

Rejected mail is returned to you if your return address includes your full first and last name. You will also receive a notice explaining why it was rejected. If you do not hear back, call Richmond CI at (910) 281-3161.

Mail

Other Guides for This Facility

Start Staying Connected

Search for your loved one and start sending photos, letters, and messages today.

Search for Your Loved One

Free Inmate Search

All information on this page comes directly from official government and facility sources. How we verify information › Last verified July 8, 2026.