Send Money to Southern CI. ConnectNetwork Deposits and All Options

Who Can Send Money

NC DAC requires that only people on the inmate’s approved visitor list may deposit funds to their trust account. If you have not yet been approved as a visitor, complete the visitor application process first. See the visitation guide for step-by-step instructions on getting approved.

Once you are on the approved list, you can send money by any of the methods below.

What You Always Need

Every deposit method asks for the same two things:

1. The person’s full legal name (as it appears in the NC DAC system)
2. Their OPUS Number (find it with the NC OPI search)

A missing or wrong OPUS Number can delay the deposit or cause it to be returned. Double-check the number before submitting any payment.

Option 1. Online Through ConnectNetwork

Go to ConnectNetwork.com and create a free account or log in. Search for Southern Correctional Institution, enter the person’s name and OPUS Number, choose an amount, and pay by debit or credit card.

Fees (online):

• $2.48 to $8.16 depending on deposit amount

Deposits typically post within a few hours.

Option 2. ConnectNetwork App

Download the ConnectNetwork app on your phone. The steps are the same as the website: find Southern CI, enter the OPUS Number, and complete the payment. The app also lets you manage your AdvancePay phone account in one place.

Option 3. Phone

Call the trust deposit line at 888-428-1845. Have the person’s full legal name and OPUS Number ready, along with a payment card.

Fees (phone):

• $3.27 to $8.95 depending on deposit amount

Option 4. Western Union

Send money through Western Union using the payment code NCDAC TRUST. You can do this at any Western Union location or online at westernunion.com.

Fee: $3.00 flat

Use the exact payment code NCDAC TRUST. The wrong code will send the money to the wrong place. Recovering a misdirected Western Union payment takes time.

Option 5. Money Order (Free)

This is the only deposit option with no service fee. Make the money order payable to TouchPay and mail it to:

TouchPay Holdings LLC PO Box 174 Houston, TX 77001-0174

Write the person’s full legal name and OPUS Number on the memo line. Money orders take longer than electronic deposits, so plan ahead.

What the Money Covers

Funds deposited to the trust account at Southern CI can be used for:

• Commissary: Food, hygiene products, clothing, and other approved items from the facility store
• Phone calls: The person pays for calls from their trust account through the ViaPath/ConnectNetwork phone system
• Other authorized purchases: Contact Southern CI at (910) 572-3784 to confirm what else is available

Southern CI holds 664 people at close custody. Commissary access and purchase limits may vary based on a person’s housing unit and status. If you have questions about what the person can buy, contact the facility directly.

Package Ordering

If you want to send approved items such as food or hygiene products, use ncinmatepackage.com, the NC DAC approved package vendor. Do not send packages directly to the facility address.

Trust Account vs. AdvancePay

ConnectNetwork manages two separate types of accounts:

• Trust account: Money the person uses from inside to buy commissary items and pay for phone calls.
• AdvancePay: A prepaid balance on your account that covers calls when the person dials your number. When they call you, the cost comes from your AdvancePay balance instead of their trust account.

Both are managed through ConnectNetwork.com. See the phone calls guide for how to set up AdvancePay.

Troubleshooting a Deposit

If a deposit does not appear on the person’s account within a day:

• Check that you entered the OPUS Number correctly
• Confirm you selected Southern Correctional Institution and not a different facility
• Contact ConnectNetwork through ConnectNetwork.com or the app
• Call the trust line at 888-428-1845
• Call customer support at 877-650-4249

The most common cause of a failed deposit is a wrong OPUS Number or a name mismatch. Re-run the NC OPI search to verify the exact name and OPUS Number, then try again.

What Happens After a Transfer or Release

If the person transfers to another NC state facility, their trust account moves with them. If they are released, any remaining balance is returned to them per NC DAC policy. Call (910) 572-3784 or contact ConnectNetwork for questions about a balance after a transfer or release.