Sending Books and Magazines to Deschutes County Jail: What You Need to Know

Deschutes County Jail limits books to three per day, so space out your orders if you're sending multiple titles. Equally important: books must ship directly from the publisher, a book club, or a bookstore. Personal shipments aren't allowed.

Plan for USPS delivery only. The jail does not accept hand-delivered or courier-delivered mail, and they won’t accept mail that arrives with postage due.

The key is who sends it. Deschutes County Jail requires books to come straight from the publisher, a book club, or a bookstore - not from you or a friend. Magazines, newspapers, and other periodicals follow the same rule: they must be new and shipped directly from the publisher or bookstore.

The package needs to clearly show where it came from. The bookseller's address must be printed on the package or mailing label, so avoid any ordering option that strips out the seller info or replaces it with something vague.

Paperbacks only. Deschutes County Jail accepts books up to 9 inches by 12 inches, but hardcovers are prohibited. Books with plastic or metal bindings won't make it through either.

For most inmates, books can be new or used - as long as they're paperback and within the size limit. If you're ordering used, make sure the shipment still comes directly from an approved sender (publisher, book club, or bookstore).

Rules are stricter for inmates in segregation. They can only receive new paperback books. Even if used paperbacks are normally allowed, someone in segregation needs a vendor shipment that's clearly new.

Common Mistakes

• ✓ Sending a book yourself instead of ordering it to ship directly from a publisher, book club, or bookstore
• ✓ Ordering hardback books (paperback only)
• ✓ Placing an order that doesn’t imprint the bookseller’s address on the package or mailing label

Don't bother calling to check if something arrived - the jail won't confirm delivery. Your loved one will need to let you know themselves. A few other basics: the jail only accepts mail sent through the U.S. Postal Service (no hand delivery, no couriers, no postage-due items). Always use the inmate's complete legal name - no nicknames - and include your full return name and address. Mail without a return address won't be delivered or held.

1. Confirm who will ship it - Place the order so the publisher, book club, or bookstore ships directly to the jail; don’t try to forward it yourself.
2. Check the mailing label details - Make sure the bookseller’s address will be imprinted on the package or mailing label before you finalize the order.