Mail & Photos to Western Correctional Center for Women. TextBehind Address and Rules

TextBehind: How Personal Mail Works

WCCW uses TextBehind for personal mail. Instead of mailing letters directly to 55 Lake Eden Road in Black Mountain, you send them to a TextBehind processing center in Phoenix, Maryland. TextBehind staff scan each piece of mail and deliver the content electronically to the person’s tablet inside the facility.

This system lets NC DAC inspect mail for contraband without holding up delivery. Most content arrives electronically within one to two business days of TextBehind receiving it.

Mailing Address for Personal Mail

Use this exact format for every piece of mail:

[Full Legal Name, OPUS Number] Western Correctional Center for Women P.O. Box 247 Phoenix, MD 21131

Use the person’s full legal name as it appears in the NC OPI system. Include their OPUS Number on the same line as the name. Find the OPUS Number with the NC OPI inmate search. An incorrect format can delay or return the mail.

Return Address Rules

Your return address must include your full first AND last name. No initials, no nicknames. Mail that arrives without a proper return address will be returned to you unopened. Write your full name and mailing address clearly in the upper left corner of the envelope.

What TextBehind Accepts

TextBehind accepts standard letters and personal photos. Photos are scanned like letters and displayed on the person’s tablet. Standard print photo sizes work best.

TextBehind does NOT accept the following:

• Packages or boxes
• Books, magazines, or publications
• Money orders or cash
• Postage stamps
• Stationery, paper, or envelopes
• Credit cards or gift cards
• Oversized envelopes (larger than standard letter size)
• Fabric or clothing
• Electronic cards, musical cards, or pop-up cards
• Drugs or any controlled substance

Sending any of these items to the TextBehind address will result in the mail being returned or rejected.

Getting the Physical Original Back

If you want your original letter or photo returned, you can request it within 30 days for a $2.50 fee. Check TextBehind’s website for the retrieval request process.

Books and Publications

Books, magazines, and other publications do NOT go through TextBehind. Order them from a publisher or retailer and have them shipped directly to:

Western Correctional Center for Women 55 Lake Eden Road Black Mountain, NC 28711

The facility may have rules about which publishers or retailers are accepted and whether publications must be new. Contact WCCW at (828) 259-6000 to confirm current rules before ordering.

Legal Mail

Legal mail does NOT go through TextBehind. Attorney correspondence, court documents, and other legal mail goes directly to:

Western Correctional Center for Women 55 Lake Eden Road Black Mountain, NC 28711

Contact the facility directly at (828) 259-6000 for guidance on legal mail procedures.

What Happens to Rejected Mail

If a piece of mail is rejected, TextBehind or the facility will return it. Common reasons include a missing or incomplete return address, prohibited content, or an incorrect mailing address format. Double-check the format every time.

Processing Time

TextBehind typically scans and delivers mail electronically within one to two business days of receiving it. Allow extra time around holidays or if you are sending from a remote area. If a letter does not arrive, contact TextBehind or call WCCW at (828) 259-6000 to check on delivery.

Sending Mail While Waiting for Visitor Approval

You do not need to be an approved visitor to send mail through TextBehind. Mail is a good way to stay in contact while your visitor application is being processed. See the visitation guide for how the approval process works.

Send Photos and Letters with Pigeonly

The easiest way to send photos and letters to someone at Western Correctional Center for Women 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.