Reviewed on: April 04,2026

Why Would Amazon Reject a Book Sent to an Inmate?

I read the fInmates will tell you that boredom is the biggest issue for them to deal with. There is a huge amount of idle time and one of the best ways to occupy one's time and mind is through reading. Even people who were never big readers on the outside can get distracted with a good book. All inmates have interests of some kind and a good story that grabs hold of you can literally help you "escape" from life in prison. Reading relaxes you, reading educates you, reading makes you really think and reading allows you to dream. Browse through their selections and pick out the perfect book. Amazon.com is one of the ONLY approved methods of sending books into the prison system. Amazon.com has the latest titles from their favorite authors and you may buy them new or used. There are many price points to choose from. Buy a book today!! following on sending inmate books: the amazon delivery was not accepted, said I cannot send books, can you explain?

Asked: October 12, 2013
Author: Joyce
Ask the inmate answer
1

Amazon is one of the only approved methods for sending books into most prison and jail facilities, but not every book listed on Amazon qualifies. This is where a lot of people run into problems.

The issue is almost always third-party sellers. Amazon's marketplace includes both items sold and shipped directly by Amazon and items listed by independent third-party sellers. When a book ships from a third-party seller rather than directly from Amazon, the facility's mail room does not consider it to come from a publisher or approved retailer. It looks like a package from a private individual, and that gets rejected the same way a book mailed from your home would be.

When ordering books for an inmate through Amazon, you need to confirm that the item is sold and fulfilled directly by Amazon, not a third-party seller. On the product listing page, look for "Ships from and sold by Amazon.com." If it says anything else, do not order that copy. Find the same title from a listing that ships directly from Amazon, or check whether the book is available new from Amazon's own inventory.

Reading is one of the most valuable things an inmate can have access to. Boredom is one of the hardest parts of incarceration, and a good book is one of the few things that genuinely helps pass the time, keeps the mind active, and gives a person something to look forward to. Getting the ordering process right is worth the extra attention.

If you continue having trouble, InmateAid can also help send books through our publisher partnerships. Reach out and we will find a solution.

https://www.inmateaid.com/ask-the-inmate/why-would-amazon-reject-a-book-sent-to-an-inmate#answer
Accepted Answer Date Created: October 13,2013

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