When someone you love is incarcerated, staying connected and showing support becomes even more important. One of the best and most meaningful ways to maintain that bond is by sending books. Books provide education, entertainment, mental stimulation, and emotional support — all crucial inside prison walls.
If you have a loved one in a Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PADOC) facility, there are important rules you must follow to ensure the books you send are accepted. At Corrections Bookstore Publishing LLC, we make the process easy, compliant, and reliable, helping you send inmate-approved books directly to Pennsylvania correctional institutions.
In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about how to send books to inmates in Pennsylvania the right way.
Why Sending Books Matters for Inmates in Pennsylvania
For incarcerated individuals, books are far more than a way to pass the time. They are:
- 📖 Educational tools that support learning, GED prep, and reentry
- 🧠 Mental health aids that provide focus, escape, and peace
- ✝️ Spiritual resources for reflection and personal growth
- ⚖️ Legal references for understanding rights and the legal system
- 🔁 Rehabilitation materials for personal and emotional transformation
With limited access to outside stimuli, books are a lifeline for many inmates. Your support can have a powerful, lasting impact.
Pennsylvania Correctional Facilities We Ship To
Corrections Bookstore ships directly to all facilities operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, including:
- SCI Phoenix – Collegeville, PA
- SCI Rockview – Bellefonte, PA
- SCI Mahanoy – Frackville, PA
- SCI Greene – Waynesburg, PA
- SCI Somerset – Somerset, PA
- SCI Forest – Marienville, PA
- SCI Dallas – Dallas, PA
- SCI Albion – Albion, PA
- SCI Muncy – Muncy, PA (Women’s Facility)
- SCI Cambridge Springs – Cambridge Springs, PA (Women’s Facility)
- Quehanna Boot Camp – Karthaus, PA
We also ship to county jails, transitional housing units, and community corrections centers throughout Pennsylvania that allow books from authorized vendors.
Step-by-Step: How to Send Books to Inmates in Pennsylvania
✅ Step 1: Gather the Inmate’s Information
Before placing an order, you will need:
- Inmate’s full name
- Inmate’s DOC number (also called inmate ID)
- Facility’s full mailing address
You can verify this information using the Pennsylvania Inmate Locator Tool.
✅ Step 2: Use an Approved Vendor
Pennsylvania DOC rules require books to be sent directly from an authorized publisher, vendor, or bookstore. Packages from individuals, used book sellers, or third-party resellers like Amazon Marketplace will be rejected.
Corrections Bookstore Publishing LLC is an approved vendor. We ship directly from our warehouse, ensuring that every package is compliant with Pennsylvania DOC mailroom policies.
✅ Step 3: Choose Inmate-Safe Books
Visit www.correctionsbookstore.com to explore our selection of paperback-only, DOC-approved books, including:
- 📘 GED study guides and academic resources
- 📗 Religious texts (The Bible, The Qur’an, devotionals)
- 📙 Self-help and motivational books
- 📕 Legal books and prisoner rights guides
- 📓 Urban fiction and African-American literature
- 📚 Addiction recovery and reentry preparation workbooks
- 📖 General fiction, biographies, nonfiction, and memoirs
All our books are new, softcover, and reviewed for content to comply with Pennsylvania DOC regulations.
✅ Step 4: Place Your Order and Track It
Once you've selected your books:
- Enter the correct inmate information and facility address
- Choose between USPS Media Mail (standard) or Priority Mail (faster)
- Receive a tracking number and confirmation email
- Orders are processed and shipped within 24–48 hours
Corrections Bookstore takes care of the formatting, packaging, and compliance so your loved one receives their books without issues.
Pennsylvania DOC Book Rules: What’s Allowed and What’s Not
Pennsylvania's DOC enforces strict rules to protect facility security. Here's what you need to know:
✅ What’s Allowed:
- New, softcover (paperback) books only
- Shipped directly from an approved vendor
- Religious, educational, self-help, legal, and general reading material
- Generally, up to 2–3 books per shipment (check with specific facility)
🚫 What’s Not Allowed:
- Hardcover books
- Used, second-hand, or marked-up books
- Spiral-bound, loose-leaf, or stapled books
- Content including:
- Nudity or sexually explicit material
- Hate speech or racist material
- Instructions for making weapons or drugs
- Coded messages or materials that threaten security
Corrections Bookstore pre-screens every title before shipment to ensure it meets DOC standards.
Most Requested Books for Pennsylvania Inmates
Need ideas? Here are some of the most requested and approved titles for inmates in Pennsylvania:
- The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
- The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
- Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
- As a Man Thinketh by James Allen
- The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
- GED Prep Guides by Kaplan or Barron’s
- The Bible, The Qur’an, and other spiritual devotionals
- Urban fiction by Sister Souljah, Wahida Clark, and K’wan
- Soledad Brother by George Jackson
Need a personalized recommendation? Call our support team at 201.559.0592 — we're happy to assist!
Sample Mailing Address Format for Pennsylvania Inmates
Be sure to use this format when submitting inmate information:
Inmate Full Name, DOC#
Facility Name
Facility Mailing Address
City, State ZIP Code
Example:
Andrew Jackson, DOC#AB1234
SCI Phoenix
1200 Mokychic Drive
Collegeville, PA 19426
Always confirm the inmate ID number and facility address through the DOC locator.
Shipping Options
Corrections Bookstore offers two reliable shipping methods:
USPS Media Mail
- Affordable
- Delivery in 5–12 business days
- Tracking included
- Best for non-urgent deliveries
USPS Priority Mail
- Faster delivery in 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: Sending a Book Is Sending Support
A book is more than just paper and ink — it’s a lifeline to hope, education, spiritual guidance, and personal transformation. Your decision to send a book to an incarcerated loved one in Pennsylvania can have a lasting impact on their journey inside and beyond prison walls.
At Corrections Bookstore, we ensure your books are sent securely, compliantly, and with care. You choose the titles — we take care of the rest.
Visit www.correctionsbookstore.com today and send encouragement, growth, and inspiration to your loved one — one book at a time.