How to Send Books to Someone at Sutter County Jail (publisher-only, paperback only)

Sutter County Jail only accepts newspapers, magazines, periodicals, and soft-bound books through U.S. mail when they're sent directly from the publisher, a bookseller, or another vendor that sells publications. Don't mail books from home, even brand-new ones. Instead, place an order with a publisher or retailer that ships directly to the jail as the sender on the package.

• ✓ Make sure the package is shipped directly from the publisher, bookseller, or vendor (not from a personal address).
• ✓ The “From” or sender name should be the publisher/bookseller/vendor.
• ✓ The return address should match the publisher/bookseller/vendor.

Every book sent to Sutter County Jail must be paperback (soft-bound). Hardcovers are not allowed, no matter how harmless they look. Double-check the format before placing your order and pick the paperback version to avoid delays and returns.

1. Choose a publisher, bookseller, or vendor - The jail only accepts reading materials when they are sent directly from one of these sources.
2. Place the order for direct shipment - Use the seller’s shipping options so the order goes straight from the seller to the jail.
3. Check the sender and return address - The label should show the publisher/bookseller/vendor as the sender, with their return address (not yours).

If your order gets refused, start with the most common fix: contact the publisher or bookseller and verify the package was sent directly from them. The sender and return address on the label should reflect the vendor, not a personal name or home address. If the jail still won't accept the shipment, the vendor can usually handle a return and resend it in a way that meets the publisher-only rule. Also keep in mind that subscriptions and publications won't be forwarded by jail staff if the person is released or transferred, so timing matters.

Don't bring books, magazines, or periodicals to the jail expecting to hand them off during a visit. Sutter County Jail does not accept these items from visitors on visiting days.

There's a narrow exception for educational and/or religious materials, but it's not automatic. These items may be allowed only with supervisor approval, and only during normal visitation hours. If you think your situation qualifies, get clear approval first. Don't show up with materials and hope for the best.

1. Confirm who shipped it - Check your order details and make sure the publisher, bookseller, or vendor shipped it directly.
2. Verify the label information - The sender and return address should be the vendor’s, not a personal name or home address.
3. Ask the vendor to fix and resend - If it was sent incorrectly, request a reshipment that clearly shows the vendor as the sender, or arrange a return if needed.
4. Avoid subscription surprises - If the person is released or transferred, subscriptions and publications will not be forwarded by jail staff.

If sending a book turns into a headache, your loved one may still have access to reading materials through the jail library. People in custody at Sutter County Jail can obtain books from the facility's library.