What You Can't Mail to George W. Hill: Prohibited Items, Publication Rules, and the 4-Item Limit
Mail gets rejected at George W. Hill when something extra ends up in the envelope—or when a book or magazine doesn't come from an approved source. Follow these rules to make sure your letter or publication actually gets through.
George W. Hill doesn't allow writing supplies through the mail - postage stamps, stationery, and envelopes are all available on commissary. Tuck any of these into a letter, and the whole thing can get flagged even if the letter itself is fine.
- ✓ Stickers
- ✓ Buttons
- ✓ Pins
- ✓ Plastic cards
- ✓ Phone cards
- ✓ Pens
- ✓ Pencils
- ✓ Musical cards
- ✓ Return address labels
- ✓ Food of any kind
Warning: Don’t put lipstick, body oils, perfume, glue, or similar substances on envelopes or letters.
Photo albums are prohibited at George W. Hill - full stop. They're also not authorized for digital delivery, so don't try to swap in a digital option. Either way, expect a rejection.
Books, magazines, newspapers, and religious materials must ship directly from the publisher or a bookstore. Order something that ships from anywhere else - or try to mail your own copy - and it probably won't be accepted.
Bookstores and book publishing companies are subject to a quantity cap: 4 publications within a 30-day period per incarcerated person. Planning to send multiple books or a mix of magazines and newspapers? Keep that limit in mind so later deliveries don't get blocked.
Good to know: Publications received directly from the publisher are unlimited and aren’t subject to the 4-item/30-day limit.
Even from an approved source, hardcover books aren't allowed. Content matters too - materials advocating racial or religious hatred (the facility specifically cites these) and materials or photos encouraging sexual behavior will be rejected.
Packages generally aren't allowed at George W. Hill. If what you're mailing feels more like a package than a standard letter or approved publication, assume it won't get through unless you've been told otherwise.
- Start with the Case Manager - Any exception to the package rule has to be requested through the incarcerated person’s Case Manager.
- Get Warden approval - The exception must be approved by the Warden before anything is sent.
- Ask before you send if you’re unsure - If you’re not sure whether an item or publication is allowed, send a request for information to the Deputy Warden of Operations.
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