Why Is My Inmate's Magazine Subscription Still in Progress?

Magazine deliveries to correctional facilities move on a different timeline than standard mail and in progress does not mean something has gone wrong.

Here is what actually happens behind the scenes. When a magazine subscription is ordered through InmateAid, the order goes to the publisher who then mails directly to the facility. Publishers operate on their own printing and distribution schedules, which do not always align with what you would expect from a standard online order. A new subscription can take several weeks to begin delivering, depending on where the publisher is in their current issue cycle. If the subscription started between issues the first delivery may not arrive until the next scheduled print run ships.

On top of that, correctional facility mailrooms process incoming publications on their own schedule. A magazine that arrives at the facility does not necessarily reach the inmate the same day. Mailroom backlogs, facility lockdowns, and incoming mail volume all affect how quickly publications get distributed to housing units.

Refunds are not available on magazine subscriptions once the order has been placed and processed with the publisher. The subscription is active, the issues are coming, and every single issue ordered will be delivered. The in-progress status reflects where things are in the distribution pipeline rather than any indication that the order has been lost or failed.

If a significant amount of time has passed beyond what is reasonable for a first issue to arrive, reaching out to InmateAid directly with your order details is the right move so the status can be investigated on the publisher end.