When a loved one is incarcerated, staying connected becomes a lifeline. While visits and phone calls may be limited, one of the most effective and meaningful ways to show your support is by sending books. In Tennessee, inmates are allowed to receive books through the mail — but only if certain rules are followed.
At Corrections Bookstore Publishing LLC, we make it easy to send inmate-approved books to correctional facilities throughout the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC). Whether you’re sending a motivational guide, GED study material, or a spiritual text, we ensure every package complies with TDOC policies and gets to your loved one without delay.
Here’s your complete step-by-step guide to sending books to inmates in Tennessee.
Why Sending Books to Tennessee Inmates Matters
Books are more than just a source of entertainment. They provide:
- 📘 Educational tools for GED, vocational, or college-level study
- ✝️ Spiritual nourishment through religious and devotional reading
- ⚖️ Legal awareness and inmate rights information
- 🧠 Mental stimulation and stress relief
- 🔄 Pathways to personal growth and rehabilitation
A book can inspire change, motivate progress, and offer comfort during a difficult chapter in your loved one’s life.
Tennessee Correctional Facilities We Ship To
Corrections Bookstore ships directly to all Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) institutions, including:
- Riverbend Maximum Security Institution – Nashville, TN
- Northeast Correctional Complex – Mountain City, TN
- Northwest Correctional Complex – Tiptonville, TN
- South Central Correctional Facility – Clifton, TN
- Turney Center Industrial Complex – Only, TN
- West Tennessee State Penitentiary – Henning, TN
- Tennessee Prison for Women – Nashville, TN (now part of Debra K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center)
- Bledsoe County Correctional Complex – Pikeville, TN
- Hardeman County Correctional Facility – Whiteville, TN
- Mark Luttrell Transition Center – Memphis, TN
- Morgan County Correctional Complex – Wartburg, TN
We also ship to county jails, federal prisons, reentry programs, and transitional centers across the state that accept books from approved vendors.
Step-by-Step: How to Send Books to Inmates in Tennessee
✅ Step 1: Gather the Inmate’s Information
Before you place an order, make sure you have:
- Inmate’s full legal name
- TDOC ID number (also called TOMIS number)
- The full name of the correctional facility
- The complete mailing address of the facility
You can verify this information using the Tennessee Felony Offender Information Lookup (FOIL).
✅ Step 2: Use an Approved Vendor (Like Us)
Tennessee DOC requires books to be shipped directly from a publisher or approved vendor. Books sent by individuals, used bookstores, or online sellers (like Amazon Marketplace or eBay) are not allowed and will likely be rejected.
Corrections Bookstore Publishing LLC is an approved vendor that ships directly from our publishing warehouse. We guarantee compliance with TDOC mailroom policies.
✅ Step 3: Choose the Right Books
Visit www.correctionsbookstore.com to explore a wide range of inmate-approved, softcover-only books, including:
- 📘 GED prep and academic guides
- 📗 Faith-based literature – Bibles, Qur’ans, devotionals
- 📙 Self-help and motivational books
- 📕 Legal guides and prisoner rights books
- 📓 Urban fiction and African-American literature
- 📚 Addiction recovery and reentry planning workbooks
- 📖 General fiction, nonfiction, and biographies
All books are new, paperback, and screened to meet the Tennessee DOC’s rules and regulations.
✅ Step 4: Place Your Order and Track It
At checkout:
- Enter the inmate’s full name, TDOC ID (TOMIS number), and facility address
- Choose USPS Media Mail (standard) or Priority Mail (faster delivery)
- You’ll receive a tracking number and confirmation email
- Orders are processed and shipped within 24–48 hours
We package and label all orders to comply with TDOC mailroom standards.
Tennessee DOC Rules: What’s Allowed and What’s Not
The Tennessee Department of Correction has specific rules regarding inmate mail and book deliveries. It’s critical to follow these rules to ensure successful delivery.
✅ Allowed:
- New, softcover (paperback) books only
- Shipped directly from an approved bookstore or publisher
- Educational, spiritual, legal, and motivational content
- Typically 2–3 books per shipment (check facility limits)
🚫 Not Allowed:
- Hardcover books
- Used, secondhand, spiral-bound, or damaged books
- Books with content that includes:
- Nudity or sexually explicit material
- Violence, hate speech, or gang symbolism
- Escape plans or instructions for weapons/drugs
- Coded messages or inflammatory content
At Corrections Bookstore, we review every order for compliance before it ships.
Most Requested Books for Tennessee Inmates
Need help choosing? These are some of the most requested titles by inmates in Tennessee:
- The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
- Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
- The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
- The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
- As a Man Thinketh by James Allen
- Soledad Brother by George Jackson
- GED prep guides by Kaplan, Barron’s, and Princeton Review
- The Bible, The Qur’an, and other spiritual texts
- Urban fiction by Sister Souljah, Wahida Clark, and K’wan
Need more suggestions? Call us at 201.559.0592 — our team is happy to help you pick the right titles.
Sample Mailing Format for Tennessee Inmates
Use the correct mailing format to ensure your books are accepted:
Inmate Full Name, TDOC#
Facility Name
Facility Address
City, State ZIP Code
Example:
Marcus Allen, TDOC#123456
Morgan County Correctional Complex
541 Wayne Cotton Morgan Drive
Wartburg, TN 37887
Always double-check the address and TDOC number before placing your order.
Shipping Options
We offer two USPS-approved shipping options:
USPS Media Mail
- Affordable
- Delivery in 5–12 business days
- Tracking included
- Ideal for standard shipments
USPS Priority Mail
- Faster delivery in 3–7 business days
- Includes tracking and insurance
- Recommended for urgent or holiday orders
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: A Book Can Make All the Difference
Books offer inmates in Tennessee a chance to grow, reflect, and prepare for the future. Whether you're supporting their education, encouraging spiritual development, or helping them stay motivated, sending a book is a powerful way to say, "I believe in you."
At Corrections Bookstore, we make the process of sending books simple, compliant, and stress-free. You pick the book — we handle the rest.
Visit www.correctionsbookstore.com today and give your loved one a reason to turn the page — in life, and in reading.