When someone you love is incarcerated, one of the most powerful ways to maintain a connection — and support their growth — is by sending books. Whether your loved one is pursuing education, looking for spiritual guidance, or just needs an escape from the day-to-day challenges of prison life, books offer comfort, inspiration, and opportunity.
If your loved one is incarcerated in a New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) facility, this guide will walk you through the entire process of sending books — securely, correctly, and in full compliance with New York's inmate mail regulations.
At Corrections Bookstore Publishing LLC, we make it easy to send approved, inmate-safe books directly to correctional facilities across the state of New York. Let’s break down everything you need to know.
Why Sending Books to New York Inmates Matters
Inside correctional facilities, books are a lifeline. They are:
- 📖 A gateway to education and self-improvement
- 🧘♂️ A tool for mental peace and emotional healing
- ✝️ A guide to spiritual and religious growth
- ⚖️ A way to learn about legal rights and reentry preparation
- 💬 A reminder that someone on the outside still cares
Incarcerated individuals in New York are permitted to receive books — as long as those books come directly from a DOCCS-approved vendor like Corrections Bookstore.
New York Correctional Facilities We Ship To
Corrections Bookstore ships directly to all DOCCS facilities in the state of New York, including:
- Sing Sing Correctional Facility – Ossining, NY
- Attica Correctional Facility – Attica, NY
- Green Haven Correctional Facility – Stormville, NY
- Clinton Correctional Facility – Dannemora, NY
- Great Meadow Correctional Facility – Comstock, NY
- Elmira Correctional Facility – Elmira, NY
- Rikers Island Complex – East Elmhurst, NY (when permitted by individual facility policy)
- Albion Correctional Facility (Women’s) – Albion, NY
- Fishkill Correctional Facility – Beacon, NY
- Bedford Hills Correctional Facility (Women’s) – Bedford Hills, NY
- Wallkill, Coxsackie, Mohawk, Five Points, and many more.
We also ship to New York City jails, federal detention centers, transitional housing units, and reentry programs, as long as they allow shipments from verified vendors.
Step-by-Step: How to Send Books to Inmates in New York
✅ Step 1: Gather the Inmate's Information
Before placing an order, collect the following:
- Inmate’s full legal name
- Inmate’s DIN (Department Identification Number)
- The name of the correctional facility
- The complete mailing address
You can locate this information using the New York Inmate Lookup Tool.
✅ Step 2: Use an Approved Vendor
New York State DOCCS policy requires that books must be shipped directly from an approved publisher or vendor. Books sent by individuals or third-party sellers (like Amazon Marketplace, eBay, or used book dealers) will be rejected.
Corrections Bookstore Publishing LLC is an authorized vendor. We ship books directly from our warehouse in full compliance with DOCCS standards — giving your order the best chance of being accepted by the facility.
✅ Step 3: Choose Books That Follow DOCCS Policy
Visit www.correctionsbookstore.com to shop our collection of inmate-approved paperback books in the following categories:
- 📘 GED prep and educational guides
- 📕 Self-help and motivational books
- 📗 Religious texts – Bibles, Qur’ans, devotionals
- 📙 Legal guides and prisoner rights books
- 📓 Urban fiction, African-American literature, and cultural titles
- 📚 Reentry planning, addiction recovery, and job-readiness resources
- 📖 Popular fiction, memoirs, and nonfiction
All books are brand new, paperback, and carefully reviewed for content restrictions.
✅ Step 4: Place Your Order & Track It
Once your order is ready:
- Provide the inmate’s name, DIN, and full mailing address
- Choose a shipping method — USPS Media Mail (economical) or Priority Mail (faster)
- Receive a tracking number and email updates
- Orders are processed and shipped within 24–48 hours
We take care of the formatting, packaging, and compliance — so you don’t have to worry about rejections or returns.
New York DOCCS Rules: What’s Allowed and What’s Not
Each facility has slightly different procedures, but New York State DOC follows strict policies statewide.
✅ What’s Allowed:
- New, softcover (paperback) books only
- Must be shipped directly from an approved vendor or publisher
- Legal, educational, spiritual, and general reading material
- Up to 3 books per package (may vary by facility)
🚫 Not Allowed:
- Hardcover books
- Used or damaged books
- Spiral-bound, loose-leaf, or stapled books
- Content that includes:
- Nudity or sexually explicit content
- Instructions for weapons, escape, or contraband
- Violent or gang-related themes
- Racially inflammatory or coded language
Corrections Bookstore carefully screens all materials before shipment to ensure they meet DOCCS guidelines.
Most Requested Books by New York Inmates
Need help deciding what to send? These are some of the most popular and commonly accepted titles:
- The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
- Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
- The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
- As a Man Thinketh by James Allen
- The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
- Soledad Brother by George Jackson
- GED test prep by Barron’s, Kaplan, and Princeton Review
- The Bible, The Qur’an, and daily devotionals
- Urban fiction by Sister Souljah, Wahida Clark, and K’wan
Want help selecting the right books for your loved one? Call us at 201.559.0592 — we’re happy to assist.
Sample Mailing Format for New York Inmates
Use the following format when submitting your order:
Inmate Full Name, DIN#
Facility Name
Facility Mailing Address
City, State ZIP Code
Example:
Jermaine Carter, DIN#12A3456
Sing Sing Correctional Facility
354 Hunter Street
Ossining, NY 10562
Always double-check the DIN and mailing address using the official DOCCS tools before ordering.
Shipping Options
We offer two USPS-approved shipping options:
USPS Media Mail
- Most economical
- Delivery time: 5–12 business days
- Tracking included
- Used for book-only shipments
USPS Priority Mail
- Delivery time: 3–7 business days
- Includes tracking and insurance
- Recommended for urgent orders or holidays
Contact Corrections Bookstore
Corrections Bookstore Publishing LLC
560 Sylvan Ave
Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632
📞 Phone: 201.559.0592
🌐 Website: www.correctionsbookstore.com
📧 Email: info@correctionsbookstore.com
Final Thoughts: Books Are More Than Pages — They’re Purpose
Books can change lives behind bars. Whether your loved one is incarcerated in a maximum-security facility or preparing for reentry, the right book can educate, uplift, and inspire real transformation.
At Corrections Bookstore, we’re proud to help families across New York send books that follow all DOC rules — securely, quickly, and with the care and respect your loved one deserves.
Place your order today at www.correctionsbookstore.com and support your loved one’s next chapter — literally and figuratively.