Personal mail goes through TextBehind in Maryland. Include the OPUS Number on every piece.
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Sending mail to Southern Correctional Institution uses two different addresses depending on what you are sending. Personal letters and photos go through TextBehind, a mail processing service in Maryland. Books and publications ship directly to the facility in Troy. All mail must include the person’s full legal name and OPUS Number. Legal mail goes directly to the facility and is handled separately.
Southern CI uses two separate addresses for incoming mail. Using the wrong one can delay or return your mail.
All personal correspondence goes through TextBehind, a mail processing company used by NC state prisons. Do not send personal mail directly to Troy.
Address personal mail to:
[Full Legal Name, OPUS Number] Southern Correctional Institution P.O. Box 247 Phoenix, MD 21131
The OPUS Number must appear on the same line as the name. Without it, TextBehind may not be able to match the mail to the right person. Find the OPUS Number using the NC OPI search.
Books, magazines, and other publications ship directly from the publisher or an approved retailer to the facility address. Do not route books through TextBehind.
Ship books to:
[Full Legal Name, OPUS Number] Southern Correctional Institution 272 Glen Road Troy, NC 27371
Books must come directly from the publisher (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.). You generally cannot send a used book from home. Call (910) 572-3784 to confirm current book and publication rules before ordering.
TextBehind scans and digitizes incoming personal mail, then delivers it electronically or on paper inside the facility. All mail is checked for contraband, prohibited content, and safety concerns before delivery. This process typically adds a day or two to delivery compared to mailing directly to a facility.
Personal mail includes letters, cards, and photos. Write clearly and keep your return address visible on every envelope.
Photos must meet NC DAC content standards. Photos that contain any of the following will not be delivered:
Photos should be standard print sizes (4x6 is common). Polaroids and photos printed at home may or may not be accepted depending on current policy. Call (910) 572-3784 or check with the facility before sending anything beyond a standard printed photo.
Do not send photos with stickers, glitter, or attached items. They will not pass inspection.
Greeting cards go through TextBehind with your personal letters. Keep cards simple: no pop-ups, glitter, metallic finishes, or attached items. A card with a simple written message is most likely to be delivered without issue.
Legal mail does not go through TextBehind. If you are an attorney or you are sending official legal documents:
The following items will not reach the person and may be confiscated or returned:
Attempting to send contraband through the mail is a criminal offense.
If you want to send approved food, hygiene, or personal items, use ncinmatepackage.com, the NC DAC approved package vendor. Do not send personal packages through the postal service to the Troy address.
The person inside can tell you during a call or visit whether mail arrived. If a piece of mail is rejected, it is typically returned to the sender. If you do not receive a returned letter and the person says they did not get it, contact TextBehind or call (910) 572-3784 to ask about the mail’s status.
Always write your return address on every piece of mail you send. If the mail cannot be delivered for any reason, a clear return address is the only way it comes back to you. Without it, rejected mail is often discarded.
Southern CI is a close custody facility. Mail screening and inspection at close custody may be more thorough than at medium or minimum custody facilities. Allow extra processing time and avoid anything that could raise a flag during inspection.
The easiest way to send photos and letters to someone at Southern 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.
6 of 12 questions
Personal mail goes through TextBehind: [Full Legal Name, OPUS Number], Southern Correctional Institution, P.O. Box 247, Phoenix, MD 21131. For books, ship directly from the publisher to 272 Glen Road, Troy, NC 27371.
MailNC state prisons use TextBehind, a mail processing company in Phoenix, MD. TextBehind scans and inspects all personal mail before delivering it inside the facility. This is how NC DAC handles incoming mail at state prisons.
MailThe OPUS Number is the unique ID NC DAC assigns to each person in custody. TextBehind uses it to match your mail to the right person. Without it, your mail can be delayed or returned. Find it with the NC OPI search at webapps.doc.state.nc.us/opi/offendersearch.do?method=view.
MailYes. Send photos through TextBehind with your personal mail. Photos must not contain explicit content, weapons, drugs, alcohol, gang symbols, or threatening material. Standard 4x6 prints are typically accepted. Call (910) 572-3784 to confirm current photo rules before sending.
MailYes, but books and publications must ship directly from the publisher or an approved retailer (like Amazon) to 272 Glen Road, Troy, NC 27371. You generally cannot mail a book from home. Call (910) 572-3784 to confirm current policies before ordering.
MailNo. Do not mail cash. Use ViaPath/ConnectNetwork to send money to the trust account instead. See the send money guide for all deposit options.
MailLegal mail does not go through TextBehind. Contact Southern CI at (910) 572-3784 for current legal mail instructions. Legal mail is typically opened in the presence of the person inside.
MailTextBehind adds processing time on top of postal delivery. Allow a few extra days compared to regular mail. Close custody facilities may have additional inspection steps that can add time.
MailRejected mail is typically returned to the sender if you included a return address. If you do not receive the returned mail and the person says they did not get it, contact TextBehind or call (910) 572-3784.
MailYes, simple greeting cards are accepted through TextBehind. Avoid cards with glitter, metallic trim, pop-ups, or attached items. A plain card with a written message is most likely to pass inspection.
MailNo. Care packages and approved items must go through ncinmatepackage.com, the NC DAC approved package vendor. Do not send packages by mail to the Troy address.
MailWrite the person's full legal name and OPUS Number on the first address line, then Southern Correctional Institution, then P.O. Box 247, then Phoenix, MD 21131. Put your full return address on the upper left of the envelope.
MailSend funds through ConnectNetwork instead of mailing cash.
View ArticleGet the OPUS Number you need to address mail correctly.
View ArticlePlan an in-person visit while you keep up the letters.
View ArticleSet up AdvancePay so the person can call you from inside.
View ArticleSearch for your loved one and start sending photos, letters, and messages today.
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All information on this page comes directly from official government and facility sources. How we verify information › Last verified July 8, 2026.