Can You Send Books and Magazines to New Hanover County Detention? What the Rules Actually Say
Trying to send a book or magazine to someone at New Hanover County Detention? The official guidance is confusing—because it actually contradicts itself. Here's what the facility's own pages say, where those statements clash, and the safest way to handle it.
The Detention Division's mail information states plainly: no books, magazines, newspapers, or legal/medical mail will be accepted. Reading that line alone, the message is clear - don't expect a book or magazine you send to make it through as regular inmate mail.
But elsewhere on the Detention Division information, the facility says magazines and soft-cover books can be accepted - if they're purchased directly from the publisher and parcel-delivered to the facility. This points to one narrow "allowed" lane: publisher-direct, shipped as a parcel, soft-cover books or magazines only. Hardcovers don't qualify.
Note: These two statements contradict each other - one says "no books/magazines," while another describes a specific way they may be accepted. Verify the current rule with the facility before spending money on an order.
One thing is definite: you can't hand-deliver items yourself. The facility states that packages, books, magazines, or other items presented by visitors will not be accepted for safety and security reasons.
If you want to try sending publications, the only method the facility describes as acceptable is ordering magazines or soft-cover books directly from the publisher for parcel delivery. That said, the blanket "no books, magazines, newspapers" language is a warning sign. Anything outside that narrow method - or anything treated as regular mail - may be refused.
- ✓ Don’t mail books, magazines, or newspapers yourself as standard inmate mail unless the facility confirms they’ll accept it.
- ✓ Don’t assume a retailer shipment will be treated the same as “purchased directly from the publisher.”
- ✓ If you do order, stick to the method the facility describes: magazines or soft-cover books, bought directly from the publisher, parcel-delivered to the facility.
- Call to confirm the current publications rule - Ask whether magazines and soft-cover books are being accepted right now, given the “no books/magazines” statement elsewhere.
- Ask what “purchased directly from the publisher” means to them - Confirm whether they require publisher-only shipments (and whether other vendors are rejected).
- Confirm the delivery method - Verify they will accept parcel-delivered items for publications and what the package needs to include for intake.
- Ask about any additional restrictions - For example: whether there are content limits or other internal screening rules that could cause a return.
- Write down what you’re told - Note the date/time and who you spoke with so you can reference it if the shipment is questioned.
Start by calling to confirm. The facility lists an automated statewide inmate information line at 877-627-2826 (877-NCSAVAN). For general sheriff's office contact, New Hanover County lists the Government Center at 230 Government Center Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403, phone 910-798-7311. Keep your questions specific: "Are magazines accepted?" "Are soft-cover books accepted?" "Do they have to be purchased directly from the publisher and shipped as a parcel?"
- ✓ Confirm the publisher will parcel-deliver to the facility (not just to a home address).
- ✓ Make sure the order is addressed in a way the facility can match to the correct person.
- ✓ Save your order confirmation and keep tracking details so you can follow up if it’s delayed or rejected.
Since the facility's own pages contradict each other, document what you're told before ordering. If staff confirm they'll accept a publisher-direct shipment, ask for that in writing if possible. At minimum, note the date, the name or title of the person you spoke with, and exactly what they said they'd accept.
Sample Labeling
- ✓ Inmate full name
- ✓ Inmate ID number
- ✓ Facility name (New Hanover County Detention Facility)
- ✓ Sender/return address (from the publisher/vendor)
- ✓ Optional memo line for clarity: “Publisher shipment - magazine” or “Publisher shipment - soft-cover book”
However you order, include the inmate's name and ID number so the facility can match the parcel to the right person. Hold onto your receipt and tracking info until you know it was accepted.
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