Donating Books to Barrow County Jail Inmates: What’s Accepted and What’s Not
Donating books can make a real difference for people inside — but Barrow County Jail has specific rules about what they'll accept. Here's what works, what doesn't, and how to prep your donation so it actually gets approved.
Barrow County Detention Center accepts book and magazine donations seven days a week. No need to wait for a special donation day - drop off whenever works for you.
Paperback only: Barrow County accepts only paperback books and magazines. Hardback books are not accepted.
Donating faith-based reading? Paperback Bibles are welcome. They go into general circulation rather than to a specific person.
Paperbacks from other faith traditions are accepted too. The jail specifically mentions the Qur'an and the Tanakh as examples.
- ✓ Educational paperback books
- ✓ Self-help paperback books
- ✓ Hispanic (Spanish-language) paperback books
Hardbacks are the fastest way to get your donation rejected. The policy is strict: paperbacks only.
Here's a common mix-up: the facility won't accept books, Bibles, or magazines intended for a specific inmate. Donations go into the general library - they're not for personal delivery to one person.
Content restriction: Books or magazines that contain nudity or sexually explicit content are not allowed.
Safety restriction: Books or magazines that include instructions on how to manufacture or buy weapons are prohibited.
Barrow County also prohibits certain crime-related non-fiction, described in the policy as "ANY DISPARAGING CRIMES-NON FICTION." Not sure if a title qualifies? Call ahead before you make the trip.
Book and magazine donations are accepted every day of the week. If you're bringing a larger batch or have questions about a specific title, calling ahead can save you a wasted trip.
Got questions about the donation policy? Contact Detention Officer Kelsey Robinson at 770-307-3080 ext. 3981. If he's unavailable, try Detention Officer Cassandra Newbold at ext. 3979.
Quick reminder: Donations can’t be earmarked for a specific inmate under the library policy. If you’re trying to donate a particular title and aren’t sure it fits, call Detention Officer Kelsey Robinson (ext. 3981) or Detention Officer Cassandra Newbold (ext. 3979).
Preparation Checklist
- ✓ Choose paperbacks only (no hardback books)
- ✓ Don’t include anything with nudity or sexually explicit content
- ✓ Avoid books or magazines that explain how to manufacture or buy weapons
- ✓ Skip non-fiction titles that fall under “ANY DISPARAGING CRIMES-NON FICTION”
- ✓ Don’t label or package items for a specific inmate (individual books, Bibles, or magazines for one person aren’t accepted under the library policy)
- ✓ Good options include paperback Bibles, educational books, self-help titles, and Spanish-language (Hispanic) paperbacks
Keep your donation easy to inspect: bring paperbacks and magazines that staff can quickly review. Stick to the paperback-only rule, avoid restricted content, and your books should move straight into circulation.
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