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.
Direct Mail: Books, Publications, and Legal Mail
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.
Certified and Legal Mail
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.
All information on this page comes directly from official government and facility sources.
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Last verified July 8, 2026.