Sending Books & Magazines to Collin County Detention Facility: What’s Allowed and What Gets Rejected
Collin County Detention Facility has strict publication rules. Most rejections happen for two reasons: the package came from the wrong sender, or the book itself is the wrong format or content. Follow these guidelines to avoid having your shipment sent back.
The facility only accepts new newspapers, magazines, and softcover books shipped directly from a publisher or an internet distributor's warehouse. Packages sent from bookstores or individuals get refused - even if the item is brand-new and still sealed.
Note: Always include a clear return name and address on your package. Missing return info means the mail gets sent back.
Format Content Rules
- ✓ Hardcover books
- ✓ Spiral-bound books
- ✓ Used books
- ✓ Books containing nudity or sexually explicit material
- ✓ Books covering martial arts or self-defense tactics
- ✓ Books with material considered detrimental to rehabilitation because it would encourage criminal behavior
Even books from approved sources can be refused based on format or content. Hardcovers and spiral bindings are automatic no-gos. Content-wise, the facility rejects anything with nudity or sexually explicit material, martial arts or self-defense instruction, or material encouraging criminal behavior. These rules exist to reduce security risks.
For publications shipped from a publisher, distributor, or authorized retailer, address the package to the facility's street address: Inmate's full name, Inmate SO Number, Collin County Detention Facility, 4300 Community Ave., McKinney, TX 75071. Personal mail is different - since July 25, 2022, the facility no longer accepts it at the front desk or in person. Personal mail must go to: Collin County Detention Facility, Inmate's Full Name, Inmate SO Number, P.O. Box 247, Phoenix, MD 21131.
Reminder: Shipments that break the rules - wrong sender type or missing return info - get refused and sent back.
Common Rejected Items
- ✓ Address labels
- ✓ Used books
- ✓ Hardcover books
- ✓ Credit cards
- ✓ Debit cards
- ✓ New, unsigned greeting cards
- ✓ New, unsigned postcards
- ✓ Postage stamps
- ✓ Stickers
- ✓ Instant-developing photo prints (for example, Polaroid or Fuji Instax-style prints)
Want your photos returned if they're rejected? Include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Without one, don't expect to see them again.
Rejected publications and mail get returned to the sender - which is why that return address matters. Before ordering, confirm the item ships directly from a publisher, distributor, or authorized retailer. Make sure it's a new softcover without prohibited content. For publisher-direct shipments, use the facility street address (4300 Community Ave., McKinney, TX 75071) with the inmate's full name and SO number.
Find an Inmate at Collin County Detention Facility
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
