Will a Magazine Subscription Forward If an Inmate Transfers?

Subscriptions do not automatically forward when an inmate is transferred. The postal system and the prison mail room are two separate things, and neither one is responsible for tracking down a subscriber who has moved facilities.

Here is what typically happens: if your friend is transferred within the same state prison system, some mail will follow for a short window while the forwarding order is active. But that window is short, inconsistent, and not guaranteed for publications. Magazines and newspapers are bulk-rate mail in many cases, and bulk-rate mail does not forward.

The safest move is to contact InmateAid, who will notify the publisher directly as soon as you know about the transfer. You will need the new facility name, full mailing address, and your friend's inmate ID number, which should appear on the subscription exactly as the facility requires it. 

A few practical notes:

• Do not wait to see if issues show up at the new address. Publishers may skip issues during an address change, and missed issues are rarely replaced.
• If you do not yet know the permanent address because the transfer is to a reception or classification center, hold off on restarting the subscription until placement is confirmed. Reception centers are short-term, and you do not want to restart a subscription at a temporary stop.
• Some facilities have approved vendor lists for publications. Before renewing at the new location, verify that the publication is on the approved list for that specific facility.

InmateAid can help you send magazines to your friend once you have a confirmed address. Check the current approved vendor options for the facility before ordering.