How to Send Books and Magazines to Someone at USP Coleman 1
Want your loved one at USP Coleman 1 to actually receive books, magazines, or newspapers? The source matters most. Most items get rejected because they were mailed from home or from an unapproved vendor.
Hardcover publications and newspapers must ship directly from the publisher, a book club, or a bookstore. Items sent from anywhere else can be refused - even if the content is completely harmless.
Practical tip: Don’t mail hardcover books or newspapers from your house, and don’t re-ship something you ordered to yourself first. Place the order so the publisher, book club, or bookstore ships directly to the facility.
Inmates at USP Coleman 1 generally can't receive packages from home unless the unit team (or another authorized staff member) has given prior written approval. If you're thinking about sending anything that feels more like a package than regular mail, confirm that approval is in place before you spend money shipping it.
- ✓ Confirm the inmate has prior written approval from their unit team (or authorized staff) before you send any package from home
- ✓ Make sure what you’re sending is something that’s actually approved to be sent as a package
- ✓ For books/newspapers, order through a publisher, book club, or bookstore so it ships directly (not from a home address)
Ordering from the right source doesn't guarantee delivery. The Warden can still reject a publication if it's deemed detrimental to security, good order, or discipline - or if it could facilitate criminal activity.
Examples of what can trigger a rejection: Material that could threaten security or order - like content that encourages violence or disruption, shares tactics that could be used to evade staff, or provides instructions that could support criminal activity - may be refused.
All mail gets screened for safety. Special incoming mail that's properly marked may only be opened with the inmate present, but staff will still inspect it for physical contraband and verify that any enclosures qualify as special mail. This inspection process keeps prohibited items and materials out of the facility.
Rejected publications won't reach the inmate. Depending on the situation, the item may be returned to the sender or publisher, or it may be withheld under the facility's rules for rejected materials.
You can challenge a rejection through the administrative remedy process. The steps and timelines are specific, so follow the facility's and Bureau of Prisons procedures carefully if an item is refused.
Practical Checklist
- ✓ Order hardcover books and newspapers so they ship directly from the publisher, a book club, or a bookstore
- ✓ Avoid sending “packages from home” unless the inmate already has prior written approval from their unit team or authorized staff
- ✓ Before you buy, think about whether the content could be viewed as a security risk or as facilitating criminal activity (those are common reasons for rejection)
- ✓ Double-check the name and mailing details you’re using for the inmate so the sender is clearly identified and the item routes correctly
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