Can You Send Books to an Inmate at Petersburg Low FCI? What You Need to Know

Yes - but the shipment source can make or break it. Under Bureau of Prisons policy at Petersburg Low FCI, inmates can only receive hardcover books and newspapers if they ship directly from the publisher, a book club, or a bookstore. Ordering through Amazon or sending something yourself won't work. Place the order through an approved source so it arrives from the right origin.

Even when something comes from an approved sender, it can still be refused. The Warden at Petersburg Low FCI may reject a publication only if it's deemed detrimental to security, good order, or discipline - or if it could facilitate criminal activity. That "only if" matters. Rejections must be tied to institutional safety, not personal preference. When a publication gets stopped, the Warden makes that call under this specific standard.

There's another restriction to know about. The Ensign Amendment (18 U.S.C. § 4042 note) bars federal prisons from using appropriated funds to distribute commercially published material that's sexually explicit or features nudity. At Petersburg Low FCI, this means the facility can't provide such material to inmates. Items that fall under this restriction get returned to the sender.

When a publication is rejected, timing matters. The Warden keeps the rejected item for 20 days from the date the inmate receives written notification. This window exists so the inmate can file an administrative appeal through the Administrative Remedy Program. If your loved one wants to challenge a rejection, they need to act within that 20-day period. Wait too long, and the item may no longer be available for review.

1. Read the written rejection notice - the 20-day clock runs from the date the inmate is sent that written notification.
2. Decide quickly whether to appeal - if the inmate wants to challenge the rejection, they should act during the retention period.
3. File the administrative remedy - submit the appeal through the Administrative Remedy Program within the 20-day window.
4. Expect the item to be returned if it isn’t appealed - once the retention period passes without an appeal, the rejected publication won’t be held for review.

5

• ✓ Order hardcover books and newspapers so they ship from the publisher, a book club, or a bookstore.
• ✓ If you’re unsure where something should originate, use one of those approved sources anyway to reduce the chance of a rejection.
• ✓ Keep your order confirmation, receipt, and any tracking details so you can document where the package came from.
• ✓ Address the package using the inmate’s exact committed name and identifying number used by the facility.
• ✓ If a publication is rejected, ask your loved one to watch for (and save) the written rejection notice - timing matters for appeals.

If something gets rejected, don't let it slide. The Warden's decision must be tied to security, good order, discipline, or criminal activity risk - and your loved one only has a limited window to challenge it. I recommend they focus on two things immediately: getting the written notice and filing an appeal promptly if they want to contest it. On your end, be prepared for a return if the content falls into a prohibited category. Commercially published sexually explicit material or nudity will be sent back to you.