Can I Send Books or Magazines to Someone at FCI Aliceville?

The Bureau of Prisons generally allows people at FCI Aliceville to subscribe to or receive publications without prior approval - unless a specific statute says otherwise. "Publications" covers books, single issues of magazines or newspapers, and other mailed materials addressed to a specific person. That said, staff screen everything that comes in. Items considered detrimental to security, discipline, or good order - or anything that could facilitate criminal activity - can be rejected.

Hardcover books and newspapers have a strict source rule: they must ship directly from the publisher, a book club, or a bookstore. Don't mail a hardcover or newspaper from home, even if it's brand new. Order it so it ships straight from an approved seller.

Softcover items can have source restrictions too, depending on the facility's security level. At medium, high, and administrative institutions, paperbacks, magazines, and even newspaper clippings must come directly from the publisher, a book club, or a bookstore - not from family or friends. Your safest bet? Order from an approved source so it ships straight to the facility.

Packages From Home

• ✓ Do not send “packages from home” unless the inmate has prior written approval from their unit team or other authorized staff at FCI Aliceville.
• ✓ The only packages an inmate may receive from home are those containing release clothing and authorized medical devices.

1. Order publications to ship directly from the source - For hardcover books and newspapers, they must come from the publisher, a book club, or a bookstore. For softcover items (like paperbacks and magazines), use those same sources to avoid running into source restrictions.
2. Use the facility’s exact mailing information - Make sure the order is addressed to the incarcerated person and mailed to the institution using the correct format so it can be processed properly.
3. Plan for screening and possible rejection - Even when a publication is allowed, staff can review it and determine it’s not acceptable if it’s considered detrimental to security, discipline, or good order, or if it might facilitate criminal activity.