How to Send Books and Magazines to an Inmate

As you could imagine, most inmates have little to look forward to but the passing of time. Mail is often the biggest part of the day. Most facilities have very strict rules regarding mail received by the inmates. But most prisons will allow soft cover books and non-spiraled magazines to be sent if directly from the publisher, including magazine subscriptions.

Instructions

1. Determine weather or not your inmate can receive books and magazines if sent from the publisher. You can often find this information on the Department of Corrections website. You can also call the facility and speak with the mail room. Your inmate can find out the information regarding permission as well.

2. Next you can go to a number of book stores which offer an inmate mail program in which you shop from the store and purchase your selections. For an additional fee, the book store will send the books to the prison directly. This can be done at many large chain books stores such as Borders, Waldenbooks, and Barnes and Nobles. Be sure to avoid staples, spirals, and hard covers as well as additional items like bookmarks, etc.

3. Magazine subscriptions are included as well. They can be ordered in a variety of ways, including online, so long as they are sent directly from the publisher. Prison facilities vary in their rules regarding graphics. It is best to avoid pictures that contain nudity, weapons, or gang related content.