Sending Books and Magazines to Butler County Prison: What's Allowed and How to Do It Right

Paperback books, magazines, and newspapers must be mailed directly to the facility: Butler County Prison C/O Inmate's Full Name 202 S Washington St Butler, PA 16001 Include the inmate's full name in the address - staff use it to route deliveries to the right person.

Used books aren't allowed. Paperbacks need to come from the publisher, a distributor, or a bookstore that ships directly to the jail. The safest approach: place your order so the seller ships straight to the facility address. Don't have it sent to you first, and avoid used or third-party sellers.

Even when you order from an approved source and address everything correctly, the prison can still reject a publication. The warden has broad discretion to deny material considered objectionable or potentially harmful to facility operations or security. Two similar-looking items can get different outcomes based on content.

• ✓ Clearly inflammatory writings advocating violence, insurrection, or guerrilla warfare against the government or its institutions
• ✓ Information about the manufacture of explosives, incendiaries, weapons, or escape devices
• ✓ Instructions about ingredients and/or the manufacture of poisons or drugs
• ✓ Judicially defined obscenity

1. Order from an approved source - Paperbacks must ship directly from the publisher, distributor, or a bookstore that mails them; used books aren’t allowed. Magazines must be delivered from the publisher or distributor, and newspapers must be mailed from the newspaper office.
2. Address it exactly to the facility - Use: Butler County Prison, C/O Inmate’s Full Name, 202 S Washington St, Butler, PA 16001.
3. Put the order in the inmate’s name (for periodicals) - Magazines should be ordered in the inmate’s name so the delivery matches who it’s intended for.
4. Plan to manage the subscription details yourself - For newspapers especially, the subscription, payment, and any delivery problems are on the friend or family member who places the order.
5. Save your paperwork - Keep receipts, order confirmations, and any shipment information so you can reference it if the delivery doesn’t go as expected.