How To Send Magazines & Books To Inmates Through Amazon in 2023
As an experienced Amazon seller, one of the most common questions I receive is if Amazon can be used to send books and magazines to incarcerated loved ones. The short answer is yes! With some simple steps, you can brighten an inmate‘s day with thoughtfully chosen reading materials.
In this detailed guide, I‘ll draw on my insider knowledge as an FBA seller to explain how to successfully send magazines, books, and publications to prisons via Amazon. You‘ll also learn key policies around inmate mail, tips to avoid rejected packages, and recommendations for uplifting content.
Sending reading materials provides essential intellectual stimulation. Let‘s dive in on how to share the power of books using everyone‘s favorite online retailer!
Why It‘s Important to Send Reading Material to Inmates
There are over 2 million adults behind bars in America according to 2022 Bureau of Justice Statistics. This represents a 500% increase in incarceration over the last 40 years.
While debates around prison reform continue, most agree that reading offers immense benefits to people who are incarcerated:
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Education | Reading materials provide valuable education given limited classroom opportunities in prisons. Books and magazines help inmates work towards high school equivalency and other learning goals. |
| Wellbeing | Reading boosts mental health by reducing boredom and providing positive escapism. With depression and other issues affecting up to 37% of inmates, reading materials offer much-needed support. |
| Rehabilitation | The right books and magazines can aid prisoners‘ personal growth and progress towards rehabilitation. Positive, inspiring stories help shift perspectives. |
| Connection | Sharing reading materials forges social connection and reminds inmates they aren‘t forgotten. This connection to loved ones is a protective factor improving outcomes. |
Though jails provide access to reading, selection is extremely limited. That‘s why sending supplemental magazines and books is so impactful.
As an Amazon seller, it brings me joy to facilitate delivering the gift of knowledge using my favorite platform. Now let‘s explore how to do it step-by-step!
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Send Magazines and Books to Inmates
Sending reading materials through Amazon is easy once you understand the process. Follow these steps:
1. Have Your Amazon Account Ready
First, make sure you have an Amazon account in good standing. You‘ll need to be logged into your account to complete the inmate delivery order.
2. Gather the Inmate‘s Full Name, ID Number, and Facility Details
To send a package, you‘ll need:
- Inmate‘s full name
- Their unique ID number
- The facility name and address
If you don‘t have this info, you can lookup an inmate‘s location using free tools like VINELink or the Federal Bureau of Prisons site.
3. Input Shipping Address with Inmate ID
On Amazon‘s checkout page, carefully enter the recipient address:
- Full inmate name + ID
- Facility name
- Facility street address
- City and state of facility
Including the ID number is crucial for proper delivery behind bars.
4. Select "Gift" to Avoid Fees
Be sure to check "Gift" when entering the inmate‘s shipping address. This ensures the recipient isn‘t charged.
5. Choose a Shipping Method
USPS Media Mail is the most affordable way to ship books and magazines. Expect 5-8 days for delivery once shipped.
6. Place the Order!
Once address details and shipping method are set, complete checkout. Amazon will handle shipping your package directly to the facility mailroom.
And that‘s it – Amazon makes sending reading materials to incarcerated individuals simple. Just follow protocol to avoid issues.
Amazon‘s Policies on Inmate Mail Packages
As a billion-dollar company, Amazon has finely tuned policies around shipping to prisons. Here are the key rules to follow:
Items must ship from Amazon – no 3rd party sellers. Use official FBA inventory only.
Packages limited to 3 items per box to prisons.
Acceptable items include paperback books, magazines, newspapers – no hardcovers.
No sexual, violent, hateful or criminal content. Books can‘t facilitate illegal acts.
Amazon does not label boxes as inmate mail for privacy reasons.
I recommend calling facilities beforehand to confirm if they accept direct Amazon orders. Prisons ultimatley decide their own mail rules.
The process is straightforward if you stick to the guidelines. Next let‘s discuss content restrictions in detail.
Approved vs Prohibited Books and Magazine Content
Facilities screen all incoming mail and ban certain material deemed dangerous or explicit. As an Amazon seller, I‘m careful to only send uplifting content likely to be approved.
Here are Do‘s and Don‘ts for choosing reading material:
Acceptable Reading Materials
| – Paperback fiction and nonfiction | – Nature books |
| – Self-help and educational books | – Science and history books |
| – News and sports magazines | – Arts, crafts, cooking magazines |
| – High school equivalency prep | – Religious texts |
| – Recovery and rehab materials | – Parenting and social skills books |
Prohibited Reading Materials
| – Hardcover books | – Sexually explicit materials |
| – Books on weapons or crime | – Racist content |
| – True crime glorifying violence | – Gang symbols or content |
| – Gambling or illegal activity guides | – Nudity or obscene content |
| – Anything promoting facility rule breaking |
I personally curate a list of uplifting paperback bestsellers to share with inmates. Aim for positive books unlikely to cause issues.
Recommended Book Ideas
As an avid reader and Amazon seller, here are some of my top picks to send:
- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (inspiring fiction)
- Man‘s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl (psychology/philosophy)
- Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari (popular science)
- Barack Obama‘s memoir A Promised Land (autobiography)
- The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch (self-help)
- Becoming by Michelle Obama (autobiography)
- The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander (sociology/criminal justice)
- Les Miserables by Victor Hugo (classic fiction)
- The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley (autobiography)
- When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi (memoir)
This blend of inspiring memoirs, literary fiction, self-help, and edifying nonfiction titles provides enrichment. Look for books both you and your recipient will relish diving into to maximize enjoyment.
Locating Inmates and Verifying Current Address Details
To ensure care packages arrive safely, always confirm an inmate‘s location before ordering. Prison transfers are common, so don‘t rely on old information.
Here are tips to find up-to-date facility details:
Contact the inmate directly. If able, call or exchange letters to get their latest ID and address.
Call the facility. Ask for the mail room to get current inmate IDs and mail policies.
Search inmate locators. VINELink provides a free inmate search by name for many state prisons.
Check federal prison records. The Federal Bureau of Prisons offers a locator tool for federal inmates.
Contact probation officers. They often have facility information for those on probation.
Use a private investigator. Hire a specialist as a last resort to find incarcerated individuals.
Checking for transfers ensures your thoughtfully curated care package reaches its intended recipient.
Prep Your Package Carefully to Avoid Rejections
I put care into packaging inmate packages neatly to give them the best shot at approval:
Choose sturdy cardboard shipping boxes instead of padded envelopes which are more prone to ripping.
Pack items tightly with ample padding to prevent jostling and damage.
Include a packing slip with complete recipient name and ID number.
Ensure return address details are correct in case a package is rejected.
Use transparent tape when sealing boxes and avoid excessive tape.
Address packages clearly and legibly for mail room screening.
Take time to pack shipments well – convey your care through quality packaging! This shows respect and boosts the odds of delivery.
Share the Power of Reading with Incarcerated Loved Ones
Sending wholesome magazines and uplifting books to inmates provides intellectual escape and unlocking life lessons. As an avid reader myself, I believe reading offers hope behind bars.
With some thoughtfulness to follow mail policies, you can successfully send reading materials to prisoners via Amazon‘s vast inventory. While restrictions exist, the right books provide a valuable reminder that inmates have support and brighter futures ahead.
I hope this guide gave you a helpful overview of sharing literature with incarcerated individuals from an Amazon seller‘s perspective. Please reach out if any other questions come up! I‘m always glad to help fellow book lovers send care packages to those in need of positivity.
