Inmate Mail

 

All non-legal, paper-based inmate mail must be sent to the mail processing center at the following address:

 

Pitt County Detention Center

Inmate Name, Inmate ID number, Facility ID 5159

PO Box 18247

Greensboro, NC 27419

 

The envelope must have a complete, legible return address including the senders first and last name or the mail will NOT be scanned.  

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The envelope must be addressed to the Pitt County Detention Center and include the inmate's name, inmate's ID number, facility ID number (Pitt County Detention Center is 5159) and the following address; PO Box 18247 Greensboro, NC 27419.  If the envelope is not correct it will not be scanned or delivered.  An example is shown below.

 

 

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As soon as mail is received by the inmate, the inmate can respond immediately by sending an instant message through the secure messaging application on the inmate tablets.  To start messaging with an inmate today, ask the inmate to take the first step and send a message to a valid cell phone number. When the inmate sends the message, you will receive a text notification on your cell phone with a link to set up an account. Once an account is set-up, you will be able to view and send messages. 

 

MAIL PROCESSING CENTER REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS:

 

• Mail arriving with postage due will be refused and returned to sender if possible.

• Mail must be 10 pages or less per envelope.

• Page size must be no larger than 8.5” x 11”.

• Mail can include written or typed pages, photos, drawings or greeting cards.

• Do not send mail or greeting cards with glitter, glue, tape, 3D elements, or electronic components (lights, music, animation).

• Do not send any items containing, depicting, or relating to sexually explicit activity, illegal activity, violence, drug, or alcohol use, etc. 

• Do not send illegal substances or any other items considered to be contraband.

• Do not send magazines, books, or packages to processing center (see below).

• Do not send cash, personal checks, or money orders to the mail processing center (see below).

• Do not mail originals of important documents such as Birth Certificates, Driver’s Licenses, Social Security Cards, Green Cards, etc., as they will not be returned.

• Do not send original photos or other irreplaceable or valuable items, as they will not be returned.

• Do not mail legal/privileged mail to the mail processing center.  See instructions below for Legal/Privileged Mail.

 

Mail meeting these requirements will be scanned within 24 hours of receipt and the physical mail will be destroyed.  Scanned mail will be reviewed by facility staff in a timely manner.

 

FACILITY SCANNED MAIL POLICIES:

 

ALL scanned mail will be inspected by facility personnel for the following:

• Threats of physical harm against persons or threats of criminal activity.

• Threats of blackmail or extortion.

• Plans for escape.

• Plans for activities in violation of facility rules.

• Letters written in code.

• Gang symbols and colors are prohibited.

• Envelopes may not be decorated with hand-drawn art.

• Information, which if communicated, would create a clear and present danger of violence and physical harm to a human being.

• Photographs, drawings, or cartoons displaying nudity or sexually graphic content or sexually explicit reading material.

 

Rules for items that can be sent directly to facility:

• No hard cover books will be accepted.

• No more than two paperback books will be received, and they can be no larger than 7” x 9” x 2”.

• Items from individual persons or walk-in bookstores will be returned to the sender.

• ONLY paperback books, magazines, and newspapers will be received if they are from a book club, mail order bookstore, or directly from a publisher.

• Any book or material that contains obscene pictures, racist, “hate” materials, incites violence, rape, homosexual sex or sodomy, or that otherwise compromises the safety, security or proper order of this facility will be confiscated and/or returned to the sender.

• DO NOT SEND CASH OR PERSONAL CHECKS.

• If you need to send money please send CERTIFIED CHECKS OR MONEY ORDERS.

 

All scanned mail containing any of the above listed items will be turned over to the proper authorities for investigation.  Any threats of criminal activity will not be permitted in any correspondence and may result in criminal charges.

 

Approved scanned mail will be saved and can be accessed by the inmate via the inmate tablets.

 

LEGAL MAIL / PRIVILEGED MAIL:

 

Legal mail must be mailed directly to the detention center and NOT the scanning facility.  

 

Address legal mail as follows:

 

Pitt County Detention Center

INMATE FULL NAME, inmate system ID number

124 New Hope Road

Greenville, NC 27834

 

Privileged mail must be marked as “Legal Mail” and will be opened by the inmate in the presence of facility staff. All legal mail will be opened, copied and the copy will be returned.  Inmates will NO longer receive original documents. All originals will be destroyed in the presence of the inmate.

 

SCANNED MAIL AFTER RELEASE:

 

After release an inmate can request digital copies of his or her scanned mail.  Submit the request to lisa.mercer@pittcountync.gov, and must include the following:

 

• Inmate’s Full Name

• Pitt County Detention Center

• Inmate system ID Number

• Email Address

 

Once the information is verified, an email with the postal scans attached will be sent to the email address provided.

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Inmate Telephone Usage

• Inmates cannot receive incoming telephone calls. 

 

• Under normal circumstances, inmates are allowed to make phone calls through the Inmate Telephone System. 

 

• Calls are generally allowed during an inmate’s recreation time. 

 

• Inmate phones are not owned or operated by the Pitt County Detention Center. An outside vendor provides this service. 

 

• The Pitt County Detention Center monitors and records all telephone calls made on the inmate telephone system. 

 

• All calls are “collect” and three-way calling is prohibited. 

 

• Calls are limited to ten minutes. 

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• To report billing problems, poor service, to block a number or to troubleshoot a blocked number, call Pay-Tel Communications toll free at 1-800-729-8355. 

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• All charges are consistent with N. C. Utilities Commission regulations. If you find the inmate telephone system too expensive, we encourage you to use the U.S. Mail. Most inmates enjoy receiving mail and having frequent contact with family members and friends.

 

Messages to Inmates

• Except in the case of verified life or death emergencies, staff members will not pass messages to inmates. 

 

• All information will be verified before any message is delivered. A supervisor will contact doctors, hospitals, funeral homes, etc. before passing a message to an inmate. To speed the process, please have this information (contact persons, phone numbers, etc.) available before you call. 

 

• For emergency messages, call (252) 902-2670, explain your dilemma and ask for the Shift Lieutenant.