Sending Books to an Inmate at Yellowstone County Detention: A Complete Checklist
Sending reading material can be a real lifeline—but jails are strict about what they'll accept. Use this checklist to make sure your books or magazines pass screening at Yellowstone County Detention without getting rejected or sent back.
Yellowstone County Detention only accepts paperback books. No spiral bindings, no metal or plastic parts. Double-check the dimensions before you order - the maximum size for books or magazines is 8.5 x 11 inches. Anything larger will likely be refused.
- ✓ No martial arts or fighting instruction
- ✓ No weapon- or drug-making content
- ✓ No pornographic content
- ✓ No nudity
- ✓ No “how-to manipulate” or inflammatory content
- ✓ Expect inspection: all materials are checked for contraband and for whether they’re appropriate for a secure facility
Note: All reading materials are inspected, and the facility can refuse anything it believes doesn’t fit the safe and secure operation of the jail.
Keep shipments small: Yellowstone County Detention allows a maximum of 5 items per shipment (books and/or magazines combined). Everything must be new. And even if the content passes muster, size still matters - stick to the 8.5 x 11 inch maximum so it can be processed without issues.
Why new only? This rule ties directly to contraband screening - every item is inspected before it reaches an inmate.
Order from a recognized publisher or distributor and have items shipped directly to the facility. The jail lists barnesandnoble.com, powells.com, and amazon.com as examples. Be careful with third-party marketplace sellers - items from unknown third parties aren't allowed. Make sure your order ships directly from a recognized source.
Address the shipment exactly like this: INMATE’S FULL NAME 3165 King Ave E Billings, Montana 59101
If staff decide an item is inappropriate after inspection, it won't be delivered. Refused items are either returned to the sender or placed in the inmate's property. All materials are screened for contraband and overall appropriateness - even a seemingly harmless book can be rejected if it doesn't meet facility standards.
Plan for the possibility of a return. Yellowstone County Detention isn't responsible for lost or refused items, and they won't cover shipping costs.
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