Mail and Photos to Stanly County Detention Center. Address and Rules

Two Different Addresses. Why They Exist

Most families expect to send everything to the jail’s front door. Stanly County does it differently. Personal letters go through a scan-and-forward system, which means they are sent to a third-party address in Longview, Texas. That company opens the mail, scans it, and delivers a digital copy to the person’s NCIC tablet inside the jail.

The original letter is not passed through to the inmate. What they receive is a digital scan on their tablet screen.

Books, magazines, legal mail, and official documents go directly to the facility in Albemarle. These are handled separately because they don’t go through the scanning system.

Mixing up the two addresses will either delay your mail or cause it to be returned to you.

Personal Mail Address (Letters and Postcards)

Send all personal letters and postcards here:

[Inmate Full Name, Inmate ID#]
Stanly County Detention Center, NC
PO Box 591
Longview, TX 75606

Write the inmate’s full legal name and their booking number (inmate ID) on the first line. The Longview address is a secure mail processing center. If you leave off the inmate ID, mail may not be matched to the right person.

What this address accepts:

• Personal letters (handwritten or typed)
• Postcards (pre-metered or photo postcards with appropriate content)
• Cards without attached items, glitter, or stickers

Envelope and ink requirements:

• Plain white envelopes only
• Blue or black ink only. Colored ink or markers may cause mail to be rejected.
• Include your full name and complete return address on the back of the envelope

Direct Mail Address (Books, Legal Mail, Official Documents)

Books, legal mail, certified mail, magazines, and subscriptions go directly to the facility:

[Inmate Full Name, Inmate ID#]
Stanly County Ralph McSwain Detention Center
223 South Second Street
Albemarle, NC 28001

Note: use the formal name (Stanly County Ralph McSwain Detention Center) on books and legal mail sent to this address. The Sheriff’s Office address at 223 South Second Street is separate from the main facility entrance at 126 South 3rd Street.

What this address accepts:

• Legal correspondence (attorney letters, court documents)
• Certified mail and documents requiring a signature
• Books (see restrictions below)
• Magazines and newspaper subscriptions (from the publisher only)

Book Rules

Books are accepted but there are strict requirements. Before shipping:

• Paperback only. No hardcover books, no matter the content.
• Ship directly from the retailer or publisher. Acceptable shippers: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or the publisher. Books sent by hand or through any other service will be rejected.
• No adult content. No pornographic, sexually explicit, or violent imagery.
• No materials that promote illegal activity or gang affiliation.

Books that arrive in a way that violates these rules won’t be delivered. The person inside will be notified of the rejection.

Photo Rules

Stanly County uses the scan-and-forward system for personal mail, so physical photos sent to the Longview address are scanned and delivered digitally. For photos, follow the same rules as personal letters:

• Send photos to the Longview TX address with the inmate’s name and ID
• Avoid explicit content, images of weapons, drugs, alcohol, or gang imagery
• Standard photo print sizes generally work best for scanning (4x6 or smaller)

Do not send photos directly to the Albemarle facility address unless you are confirming this is allowed with staff at (704) 986-3739.

What Gets Rejected

Mail that does not meet the facility’s rules is rejected and either returned to the sender or destroyed. Common reasons for rejection:

• Wrong address used for the mail type
• Missing inmate name or ID number
• Colored ink or non-white envelopes
• Stickers, glitter, or attached items on cards
• Explicit, violent, or drug-related content
• Hardcover books
• Books shipped from an unapproved source
• Cash or money orders (send money through JailPackStore instead)

If your mail is rejected, the facility will notify the person inside. Call (704) 986-3739 for questions about a specific piece of mail.

Legal Mail Handling

Legal mail from an attorney is handled separately from personal mail. Legal mail sent to the Albemarle address is typically opened in front of the inmate to confirm there is no contraband, then given to them directly. It is not scanned and delivered digitally.

Make sure your attorney uses the direct facility address at 223 South Second Street, Albemarle, NC 28001, and includes the full formal name on the envelope.

When Mail Is Delivered

Mail is processed and delivered on weekdays. The scan-and-forward system means personal letters are converted to digital format before delivery, which may add a day or two to how long it takes. Physical books and legal mail delivered to Albemarle are processed on weekdays.

For time-sensitive matters, a phone call through NCIC or a video visit is faster than mail.

What to Do If Mail Doesn’t Arrive

If the person says they never received your letter:

1. Confirm you used the correct address for the mail type.
2. Confirm the inmate name and ID were on the envelope.
3. Wait a few days. Processing takes time.
4. Call the facility at (704) 986-3739 to ask about the status.

If you used the Longview TX address for a personal letter, the mail may still be in the scanning queue. Contact NCIC at 800-943-2189 if you have questions about the digital delivery system.

Send Photos and Letters with Pigeonly

The easiest way to send photos and letters to someone at Stanly County Detention 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.