Sending Books & Magazines to Lancaster County Inmates: Paperback Rules and Prohibited Content

Lancaster County inmates can only receive publications - books, magazines, newspapers - when they ship directly from the publisher or a national distribution center. Personal shipments won't work. Neither will third-party packages. If you want the item to actually arrive, order it so it ships straight from an approved source.

Buying from the right source isn't enough - format matters too. Publications must be paperback. No hardcovers, no leather covers, nothing but paper. When placing an order, choose a paperback edition and confirm the seller ships it directly (not through a third-party reseller).

• ✓ Confirm the title is a paperback edition (not hardcover, leather, or mixed materials).
• ✓ Place the order so it ships directly from the publisher or a national distribution center.
• ✓ Avoid third-party sellers or any setup where the package is re-shipped by an individual or marketplace vendor.

Content matters too. Publications can't include instructions for constructing or using weapons, ammunition, bombs, or incendiary devices. Anything that reads like a how-to for making something dangerous will likely get stopped.

Anything that could help someone plan an escape is off-limits. That includes depictions or descriptions of escape methods, blueprints, drawings, or detailed descriptions of correctional facilities.

Skip titles that explain how to make contraband. Publications can't include instructions for manufacturing alcohol or drugs.

Publications also can’t contain messages written in code. If a book includes coded messages or coded communications, it can be rejected for that reason alone.

Content that could spark violence or unrest inside the facility is restricted. Publications can't depict, describe, or encourage activities leading to physical violence or group disruptions. They also can't instruct readers on committing crimes or promote gangs and gang-related activity.

Sexually explicit material won't make it through. If a magazine or book is primarily explicit, expect it to be rejected.

When a publication breaks the rules - wrong source, wrong format, prohibited content - it won't be delivered. Depending on the situation, disallowed items may be returned to the sender or placed with the inmate's property after a search. The easiest way to avoid delays? Order paperbacks only, and make sure they ship directly from an approved source.

• ✓ Keep your receipt and tracking details so you can show the order shipped directly from the publisher or a national distribution center if there’s a question or a return.

1. Choose a seller that ships direct - the publication must be sent directly from the publisher or a national distribution center.
2. Pick the paperback edition - hardcover, leather, or any material other than paper won’t be accepted.
3. Enter the inmate’s identifying info - include the inmate ID/number requested at checkout so the facility can match the delivery to the right person.
4. Save your confirmation - keep the order confirmation and tracking in case the shipment is delayed or returned.

• ✓ Instructions for the construction or use of weapons, ammunition, bombs, incendiary devices, or similar objects
• ✓ Depictions or descriptions of escape methods, or blueprints/drawings/similar descriptions of correctional institutions
• ✓ Instructions for manufacturing alcohol or drugs
• ✓ Messages written in code
• ✓ Depictions, descriptions, or encouragement of activities that may lead to physical violence or group disruptions
• ✓ Encouragement or instruction in committing criminal activity
• ✓ Sexually explicit material
• ✓ Depictions, descriptions, or encouragement of gangs or gang-related activity