How To Send Books to Federal Inmates
- thatbopguy
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 1 hour ago
So you want to send books to someone in federal prison? Well, you can and it's easy! You can send books to inmates from Amazon and other Booksellers, but you must follow specific steps or your order will get returned. Here is a complete guide how to send books to someone incarcerated
How to send books to federal inmates from Amazon + other booksellers
Sending books to federal inmates from Amazon or any other online booksellers is about understanding facility rules, and making the process as smooth as possible. In this guide, you’ll find a clear steps to ship books from any online booksellers or publisher accepted by the Federal Bureau of prisons.
1. Choose The Right Book
Choosing good books for people in prison may be difficult for some of you. Plus, some books hit different inside. They circulate, inspire, and help people change. First you should determine what type of book. Would they prefer fiction or non-fiction. Could they benefit from a book on credit repair or does he/she have a interested in starting a business?
Be sure to choose a book that you're loved one is actually interested in or something that aligns with their future goals. If you can't think of any right now that's ok we have a list of popular books in prison. These are classics in nearly every compound so use this list to spark some ideas for you.
As a Man Thinketh by James Allen — short and timeless.
The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren — steady encouragement for the long stretch.
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki — real lessons about mindset and money.
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz — small book, big shift in perspective.
View a our curated list of the 20 most popular books in prison. These are powerful books that move through nearly every federal compound. From self-growth and credit repair to financial freedom and success.
Tip: Don't buy NEW books. Get the gently used books.
Pro Tip: Buy Used Paperbacks
A brand new soft cover book on average costs $19. A used book costs $7 on average. So if you know that book will likely not get brought home can you justify spending almost 3x as much?
With the money you saved from not buying a brand new book you can get 1-3 additional books. As a inmate trust me we would be much happier with MORE books than newer
Books get shared, borrowed, and lost. Save your money — buy used paperback copies when possible.
Paperback books clear mailroom inspection faster because hardcovers and spiral bindings can hide contraband and are often refused
2. Booksellers who ship to inmates
Books must come directly from the publisher or bookstore, never from home. Before you place your order, check our Approved Booksellers for best places to order books according to inmates. Use this list to avoid returns and save time and discover best websites to order books for inmates.
3. Verify Mailing Address
Don’t assume the physical prison address is the mailing address (because it often isn't). Prison facilities prefer mail goes to a P.O. Box.
To verify the mailing address use our Federal Inmate a locator tool. When you enter their name you can see the address and use that to ship the book order. Some prisons forward mail to centralized inspection facilities. Always verify, especially since transfers happen without notice.
4. How To Ship Books Correctly
Use USPS (not UPS or FedEx) — most institutions prefer regular mail. Skip express shipping, it doesn’t speed up inspection. Include the following info on the package label. Keep your tracking number and confirm delivery with your loved one.
REQUIRED INFO (example):
John Doe - 12345-678
FCI Leavenworth
Federal Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 190
Leavenworth, KS 55534
5. Check the Prison Facility’s Rules
This is so important Barnes and noble has a dedicated page for placing orders to correctional facilities where they say "to ensure delivery, it is best to contact the correctional facility to which you will be shipping to"
Every federal prison has its own mailroom policy. Have your loved one go to Receiving & Discharge (R&D) office and ask directly about the current procedure.
Book limits, addresses, and approved vendor lists can all change. Some facilities also post their mail and policies in the A&O (Admissions & Orientation) handbook but who reads that?
Sending magazines & newspapers
Magazine and newspaper subscriptions are allowed for federal inmates just like most states prisons. You can subscribe to any magazines that don't show nudity, violence or gang material. The process for sending either of these is the same for books. Make sure they come directly from the publisher.
Bureau of Prisons Official policy
In summary, basically following the instructions I've laid out above and everything will be ok. You can view the Federal mail Policy.
6. Why Books Get Rejected
As an inmate to date, I’ve had over 37 books delivered to me at different federal prisons and three deliveries got returned. Books and deliveries get rejected. It's happens, take note of these simple mistakes so you can avoid them and ensure your order makes it through:
Sent from an unapproved or third-party marketplace seller
Contain additional items (bookmarks, notes, etc.)
Shipped from home instead of a bookstore
Hardcover or spiral-bound editions
More than 5 books ordered
Books with prohibited content
When in doubt, call the facility mailroom and ask. A 30-second call can save weeks of delay.
7. Why Sending Books Matters
There is few better feelings than hearing your name called for mail. It's a reminder that somebody still cares.
Inside, a book isn’t just paper — it’s a lifeline.
It breaks monotony, builds structure, and brings hope. Even sending one book every month can make a massive difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send an e-book or Kindle?
No, only physical media.
What happens if I mess up the address?
It will likely be returned to sender or destroyed.
Can I write a message inside the book?
It's generally not recommended as it may be considered contraband. I suggest writing a separate letter instead.
How many books can I send at once?
The BOP's limit (nationwide) on personal property, is often a 5 book limit at a time. But this isn't always enforced, be sure to check with your LO first. Definitely don't ship more than 5 books at once.
Ready to send your book? Double-check the facility's address one more time on the BOP's inmate locator And if you found this guide helpful, please explore our other helpful articles for more ways to support your loved one during this time."
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Amazon ship to inmates policy referenced for this article here
