Mail and Photos to Sanford Correctional Center. TextBehind Address and Rules

How TextBehind Works

NC DAC routes most incoming personal mail through TextBehind, a third-party mail processing company. Here is what happens after you mail a letter:

1. Your letter arrives at the TextBehind facility in Phoenix, Maryland.
2. TextBehind inspects and scans the letter and any photos.
3. A digital copy is delivered to the person at Sanford.
4. The original is held at TextBehind for 30 days.
5. After 30 days, the original is shredded unless you pay $2.50 to request its return.

This system speeds up delivery and reduces contraband risk. The person receives the content quickly, often faster than traditional mail would arrive at the facility. The tradeoff is that the person cannot hold the physical original unless it is forwarded through special circumstances.

Mailing Address for Personal Mail

Send personal letters and photos to:

[Full Legal Name] #[OPUS Number]
Sanford Correctional Center
P.O. Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131

Use the person’s full legal name. Nicknames or shortened names may cause the letter to be undeliverable. Include the OPUS number on the envelope every time. If you do not have the OPUS number, look it up using the NC DAC OPI search at webapps.doc.state.nc.us/opi/offendersearch.do?method=view.

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

What You Can Send Through TextBehind

• Standard letters (on white or light-colored paper)
• Photos (standard photo prints that meet the size and content guidelines)
• Cards (standard greeting cards with no metallic elements, no pop-up features, no musical components)

Keep letters simple. Plain white paper is the safest choice. Most standard greeting cards are fine as long as they do not have special features that violate the prohibited items list.

What Is Not Allowed Through TextBehind

TextBehind will not forward items that violate NC DAC or facility mail rules. Prohibited items include:

• Stamps or self-adhesive stickers of any kind
• Money orders or cash
• Oversized or padded envelopes
• Packages of any kind
• Medications or supplements
• Credit cards, debit cards, or gift cards
• Metallic items (foil, metallic ink, metallic decorations)
• Musical greeting cards or cards with sounds
• Pop-up cards or cards with 3D elements
• Fabric, cloth, or clothing
• Electronics of any kind

Letters or items containing any of these will be rejected and not delivered. The sender may or may not receive notification of the rejection.

Sending Books and Publications

Books and publications do not go through TextBehind. They ship directly to the facility at:

417 Advancement Center Rd., Sanford, NC 27330

Order books from a publisher or authorized retailer (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.) and have them shipped new and directly to the facility address above. The facility may not accept used books or books shipped by an individual rather than a publisher or retailer. Call (919) 895-7000 to confirm the current book policy before ordering.

Magazines should also be ordered by subscription or from a publisher and shipped directly.

Legal Mail from Attorneys

Legal mail from attorneys ships directly to the facility, not through TextBehind:

417 Advancement Center Rd., Sanford, NC 27330

Mark the envelope clearly as “Legal Mail” or “Attorney-Client Privileged.” Legal mail is handled separately from regular mail and should be opened only in the presence of the inmate. If you have questions about how legal mail is handled at Sanford, call (919) 895-7000.

Processing Time

TextBehind typically processes and delivers the digital scan within 1 to 2 business days of receiving the letter. The delivery speed depends on when your letter reaches Phoenix, MD. Mail sent from North Carolina usually arrives at the processing center within 1 to 3 days through USPS. Add that to the scan time, and most letters are delivered digitally within a few business days of when you send them.

What Happens to Rejected Mail

If TextBehind rejects your letter for a prohibited item or content violation, the original may be held, returned, or destroyed depending on the nature of the violation. NC DAC policy does not guarantee return of rejected mail. If you think a letter was incorrectly rejected, contact TextBehind or call (919) 895-7000.

Requesting Return of Your Original

TextBehind holds originals for 30 days. If you want the physical original back (for sentimental value, a photo, or any other reason), you can request return for a $2.50 fee. Contact TextBehind directly to arrange this within the 30-day window.

Tips for Writing Letters

At a minimum-security reentry facility like Sanford, letters from family matter. Here are a few practical tips:

• Write clearly and legibly. TextBehind scans everything, and a messy scan can make letters hard to read.
• Keep ink dark on light paper. Blue or black ink on white paper scans best.
• Number your pages so the person can tell if something is missing.
• Do not include cut-out images or items that could look like contraband.
• Write in simple, direct language. The person receiving your letter is probably dealing with a lot; a warm, focused letter lands better than a long, rambling one.

Photo Rules

Photos are allowed through TextBehind and are scanned along with letters. A few things to keep in mind:

• Standard print sizes work best (4x6 is common).
• Content must be appropriate and not depict anything prohibited (nudity, weapons, drug use, gang signs, etc.).
• Photos that violate content rules will not be forwarded.
• Do not include Polaroids or photo paper types that are hard to scan.

What Happens to Mail If the Person Transfers

If the person transfers to another NC DAC facility while you are using TextBehind, mail sent to the TextBehind address with their name and OPUS number will typically follow the updated location in the system. However, always confirm the person’s current location through the NC DAC OPI search and ask the new facility if TextBehind is used there as well. Call (919) 895-7000 if you have questions about mail forwarding.

Send Photos and Letters with Pigeonly

The easiest way to send photos and letters to someone at Sanford Correctional Center 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.