How to Send Books to Someone in Polk County Jail (Checklist)

Polk County only accepts paperback (softcover) books for inmates. If you order a hardcover by mistake, it won’t meet the facility’s criteria.

Books must ship directly from a third-party bookseller - you can't buy one and mail it yourself. Use a vendor that ships straight to the jail, like Amazon.com or Abebooks.com.

Inmates can have up to three books at a time: two paperback or softcover books, plus one Bible or other recognized religious text. The religious book counts toward the total - so it's really two regular books and one holy book, max.

Here's something that catches people off guard: once books are accepted, they become property of the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Keep that in mind before spending money on anything rare or sentimental.

If a package doesn't meet the criteria - wrong format, not from an approved vendor, over the limit - it gets rejected and the inmate is notified. Double-check everything before you order.

1. Watch for the rejection notice - if a parcel is rejected, the inmate is notified.
2. Have the inmate notify you - the process starts with the inmate letting the sender know the parcel was rejected.
3. Retrieve the parcel from the mailroom - the sender may pick it up from the Central County Jail mailroom in Bartow.
4. Pick it up within 14 days - after fourteen (14) days from the rejection notice, the contents may be disposed of by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Pre Purchase Checklist

• ✓ Choose paperback/softcover only (no hardcovers)
• ✓ Order from a third‑party bookseller that ships directly to the facility (for example, Amazon.com or Abebooks.com)
• ✓ Stay within the limit: two paperback/softcover books plus one Bible or recognized holy book (three total)
• ✓ Don’t place a second order that would put them over the allowed number of books in their possession