Sending Books to Someone at Santa Ana Jail: allowed formats and vendor rules
Want your loved one to actually receive books at Santa Ana Jail? Two rules matter most: paperback only, and it must ship directly from the publisher or an accepted distributor.
Santa Ana Jail accepts new and used paperback books in good condition - but only when mailed directly by the publisher or an accepted distributor. That "direct from the source" requirement is strict. Orders through Amazon Marketplace vendors are specifically prohibited, even if the listing appears on Amazon. When ordering online, stick to accepted distributors (the jail lists amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, costco.com, and walmart.com as examples) and confirm the seller is the distributor itself, not a third-party Marketplace seller.
Magazines and newspapers follow a similar “direct source” rule. They’re allowed only if they come straight from the publisher, which usually means a subscription or publisher-fulfilled order rather than something re-mailed from home.
Disallowed Bindings
- ✓ Hardcover books
- ✓ Vinyl-bound books
- ✓ Leather-bound books
- ✓ Torn pages or torn articles from publications
Even when your package follows every rule, there's a limit on what your loved one can keep. Inmates at Santa Ana Jail may possess a maximum of five books or magazines total. If they're already at that limit, extra items may not make it to them.
Packages need paperwork too. An invoice must be included listing the purchaser, the recipient, what's inside, and the name of the online store. This helps the mailroom verify where the books came from and confirms they're from an accepted source.
Checklist Before Order
- ✓ Choose paperback books only (new or used, but in good condition)
- ✓ Order only from the publisher or an accepted distributor (do not use Amazon Marketplace vendors)
- ✓ Keep the total within the five-item possession limit (no more than five books or magazines)
- ✓ Make sure the shipment includes an invoice listing the purchaser, recipient, contents, and the name of the online store
- ✓ Address the mail with the inmate’s name and booking number, and include your name and return address
Note: Keep the envelope clean - no extra writing, artwork, or markings. Include the inmate's name and booking number, plus your return address, so the mailroom can process it without delays.
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