Sending books to Santa Ana Jail: approved sources, paperback-only policy, and the five-book limit
Santa Ana Jail has strict rules about books. The quickest way to waste time and money is ordering from the wrong source or picking the wrong format. Stick to approved vendors, choose paperbacks only, include the required invoice, and keep the five-item possession limit in mind before you place an order.
Books sent to someone at Santa Ana Jail have to come directly from the publisher or an accepted distributor. You cannot mail a book yourself from home, even if it's brand new. The jail accepts new and used paperback books in good condition, as long as they ship straight from an approved source. Accepted distributors listed by the jail include amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, costco.com, and walmart.com.
Warning: Amazon Marketplace (third-party sellers) is not considered a secure source by Santa Ana Jail and is prohibited.
Format Restrictions
- ✓ Paperback books only (new or used, in good condition)
- ✓ No hardcover books
- ✓ No vinyl-bound books
- ✓ No leather-bound books
Santa Ana Jail caps how much reading material a person can keep. An inmate may possess a maximum of five books or magazines total. If multiple family members or friends are thinking about sending items, coordinate beforehand so you don't exceed that limit.
Address the mail clearly. Santa Ana Jail requires both the inmate's name and booking number, plus the sender's name and return address. Keep the outside of the envelope plain. No unnecessary writing, artwork, or markings.
Every book package also needs paperwork inside. Santa Ana Jail requires an invoice listing the purchaser, the recipient, the contents, and the name of the online store. This ties directly to the approved-source rule: staff use the invoice to verify the shipment came from an accepted distributor (such as amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, costco.com, or walmart.com) rather than a prohibited seller.
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