What Websites Can You Use to Send Books to Inmates?

Most facilities require that books and magazines be sent directly from a publisher or approved retailer, not from an individual's home. A package of books shipped from your house will almost certainly be rejected at the mail room regardless of what is inside.

Amazon is the most practical option for most people. The selection is the largest, the prices are competitive, and delivery is reliable. When ordering, use the facility's mailing address as the shipping address and include your inmate's full name and ID number exactly as the facility requires it.

If you prefer not to use Amazon, Barnes and Noble is a legitimate alternative that ships directly and is recognized by most facility mail rooms as an approved vendor. Other major online booksellers work as well, as long as the shipment comes directly from the retailer rather than a third-party seller or private individual.

Before ordering, it is worth confirming with the specific facility that the retailer you plan to use is on their approved vendor list. Some facilities have restrictions on which sellers they will accept, and those lists vary. A quick call to the mail room can save you the frustration of a rejected package.