Sending Books and Magazines to Someone at USP Big Sandy: Publisher-Only Rules Explained

USP Big Sandy doesn't accept packages mailed from home unless the inmate's unit team (or other authorized staff) has given prior written approval. So "I'll just mail it myself" usually ends with a rejected package. Books and magazines work differently. Inmates can receive magazines and hardback or paperback books - but only when shipped directly from the publisher. If you want to help someone stay busy, learn something new, or just pass the time, this is the simplest route. A few narrow exceptions allow items from home without special approval. Outside of those, assume you'll need written approval before sending anything.

• ✓ Release clothing
• ✓ Authorized medical devices

Even commercially published books and magazines must meet legal and policy restrictions before they're delivered. If a publication violates statutory restrictions - sexually explicit material, for example - the Warden (or designee) returns it to the publisher or sender rather than giving it to the inmate. You can do everything right with shipping and still have an item turned away based on content. When in doubt, stick to mainstream titles and avoid anything that might be flagged for nudity or explicit sexual content.

1. Choose a book or magazine that can ship from the publisher - USP Big Sandy allows magazines and hardback/paperback books only when they’re sent directly from the publisher.
2. Place the order so the publisher ships straight to the institution - avoid sending the item to your home first and re-mailing it.
3. Don’t mail “home packages” unless you have written approval - if it’s not coming directly from the publisher, your loved one generally needs prior written approval from their unit team or authorized staff to receive it.

Why does the publisher-only rule exist? Incoming items are screened, and staff need a clear chain showing where each publication came from. Ordering directly from the publisher satisfies this requirement. It's also the best way to avoid having a package refused because it looks like it came from home.

When a publication is rejected for violating statutory restrictions (including sexually explicit material), the Warden or designee returns it to the publisher or sender. It can feel abrupt, but that's how the policy works. If the issue was that the item didn't ship directly from the publisher - or got treated as an unapproved package from home - your loved one's unit team is typically the gatekeeper for written approvals. Start there when trying to figure out what happened.

1. Ask what triggered the rejection - start with the facility/unit team channel your loved one has access to, so you can find out whether it was a content restriction or a shipping/source issue.
2. Escalate questions or complaints to BOP Central Office if needed - you can submit questions or complaints there, but expect that responses may take about 20–30 working days.