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What can I send? Approved vendors and packages

Books, magazines, newspapers, photos, money and packages: what each prison system allows, how to send it step by step, and what gets rejected. We name a vendor only where the official policy names it, with no affiliate links or promotion.

Important: rules and approved vendors change. Check the official page before you buy or send anything. OutSooner takes no money from any vendor.

Coverage

Full sections verified against official sources: Idaho, Colorado, Nevada and federal BOP. Other states link to their official agency and to our mail rules page where one exists.

Step by step

  1. Look up the ID number and facility in the agency's official inmate search. Use the exact name on record.
  2. Address it the way your state's section below says, with your full return address.
  3. Books and magazines: order from a publisher or vendor the policy allows and ship directly to the person, with a receipt or invoice where the policy requires it.
  4. Money: use only the approved service named on the agency's official page. Never pay "release fees."
  5. Packages: only through the agency's official program, within its dates and limits.
  6. Keep receipts and note the date you sent it in case you need to appeal.

Visit denials, dress code and mail rejections: how to appeal

By prison system (official sources)

Idaho

Last checked: 2026-10-21

Addressing and ID number

Line 1: the person's last name and IDOC number. Line 2: facility and unit number. Then the facility PO Box (for example ISCC, PO Box 70010, Boise, ID 83707). PWCC, ICIO, NICI and SAWC use the address on the facility's own page.

Books, magazines and newspapers

  • You can't send books yourself. They must come with a receipt or invoice, directly from the publisher or an IDOC-approved vendor.
  • Approved vendors listed on IDOC's Mail Guidelines page: Edward R. Hamilton, Thrift Books, Discover Books, More than Words, Prison Book Program, Books a Million, Books N Things, Sure Shot Books, The Women's Prison Book Project, Idaho Prison Arts Collective.
  • IDOC says Amazon is not an approved vendor at this time.
  • New and used books are allowed but must be softcover and no larger than 11" x 8.5" x 3". Hardback educational, legal and religious books need facility approval.
  • Magazines and newspapers must come directly from the publisher with a printed delivery label showing the person's name and address.

Photos

  • Up to 20 loose photos, 5" x 8" or smaller, per the Mail Handling SOP. No Polaroid-type instant photos and no nudity.

Money

  • IDOC uses an approved money service (online, phone, app, retail and a mail lockbox). See IDOC's Sending Money page for the current options and fees. Commissary money orders or cashier's checks must be payable to the person with the IDOC number; no cash or personal checks.

Packages and care packages

  • No packages by mail (letters and photos only).
  • Food and hygiene packages can be bought through the department's package program, which IDOC names as Access SecurePak. People who owe cost-of-supervision fees can't take part, except in November, December and January.

What gets rejected

  • Stamps or stationery, cash, personal checks, padded or musical cards, stickers, lipstick or perfume, clippings, publications not sent by a publisher or approved vendor, and hardback books without approval.

How to appeal a rejection

Official source: IDOC: Mail Guidelines (opens in new tab) · IDOC SOP 402.02.01.001: Mail Handling (PDF) (opens in new tab) · IDOC: Sending Money (opens in new tab) · IDOC: Commissary and packages (opens in new tab)

Colorado

Last checked: 2026-10-22

Addressing and ID number

The person's commitment name (a legally changed name may follow it), DOC number, facility, and the facility mailing address from the facility's page. Always include a valid return address.

Books, magazines and newspapers

  • Books, magazines and calendars must be new and sent directly from an approved source of supply: a retailer or publisher with an address you can verify online or in a commercial directory. Used publications are never accepted.
  • The shipping label must show the vendor's return address. CDOC says Amazon shipments are no longer accepted because they don't always include a valid return address.
  • People in intake can't receive books or calendars.

Photos

  • All non-legal mail is currently photocopied; the person gets the copy and the original is destroyed. Commercially printed photos shipped directly from an approved vendor (AR 300-26) are not photocopied, but are still reviewed.

Money

  • CDOC uses one approved electronic deposit service (online, app or phone, by credit or debit card). See CDOC's Send Money page.
  • Money orders and cash sent by mail are not accepted.
  • CDOC must withhold at least 20% of each deposit for court-ordered fines, fees, restitution or child support. Sending money to more than one person in custody is restricted (AR 200-02).

Packages and care packages

  • Care packages only through the department's approved care package provider, which CDOC names as Union Supply Direct. There is an ordering period each month and the package arrives the month after, up to the spending limits for the facility.
  • Outside ordering of other items (clothing, gaming systems) has been suspended since October 10, 2024. Books, magazines, educational materials, personal eyeglasses and care packages are not affected.

What gets rejected

  • Used books, publications without a verifiable vendor return address, mail without a return address, and money by mail.

How to appeal a rejection

Official source: CDOC: FAQ (sending items, books, care packages) (opens in new tab) · CDOC: Contact an Inmate (mail) (opens in new tab) · CDOC: Send Money to an Inmate (opens in new tab) · CDOC: Canteen and care packages (opens in new tab)

Nevada

Last checked: 2026-10-21

Addressing and ID number

The person's name and NDOC number (the "back number"), at the facility address on the facility's page. Write the name and NDOC number on the back of every photo.

Books, magazines and newspapers

  • Publications must come directly from a verified publisher or vendor and be paid in advance; no book-of-the-month clubs.
  • Books must be paperback only. Books and calendars are allowed with limits (AR 711 and AR 750). Calendars must have no metal parts and come factory-sealed from a verifiable publisher or vendor.
  • A Publication Review Committee reviews anything flagged; no publication is rejected only because its content is religious, political or unpopular.

Photos

  • Up to 10 photos per envelope, no larger than 8" x 10" (up to 10 per page if printed on standard paper), each with the name and NDOC number on the back.

Money

  • NDOC uses an approved money service (card online or by phone) and a lockbox deposit coupon for cashier's checks or money orders. See NDOC's Offender Banking Services page.
  • Money orders and cashier's checks received directly by NDOC are available 14 calendar days after receipt. NDOC warns: it never requires fees for any type of release.

Packages and care packages

  • Personal clothing and food packages can be ordered through the package program, which NDOC names as SecurePak (Access SecurePak). If NDOC offers an item through canteen or that program, outside items of that kind can't be mailed.

What gets rejected

  • Musical or electronic cards, more than one card per envelope, cards larger than 8" x 10", more than 10 photos, hardback books, and publications not paid in advance or not from a verifiable publisher or vendor.

How to appeal a rejection

Official source: NDOC: Mailing Items to Offenders (opens in new tab) · NDOC AR 750: Inmate Correspondence and Mail (PDF) (opens in new tab) · NDOC: Offender Banking Services (opens in new tab)

Federal (BOP)

Last checked: 2026-10-22

Addressing and ID number

The person's full committed name and eight-digit register number, then the facility's mailing address from its BOP page. Don't use an alias.

Books, magazines and newspapers

  • Magazines and hardcover or paperback books can be received directly from the publisher (see the BOP policy on incoming publications). Publications are allowed unless found detrimental to security, discipline or good order.

Photos

  • Staff open and inspect all general mail (28 CFR 540.14). Check the facility's own rules for photos.

Money

  • The BOP lists approved electronic money services and a mail option: a money order to the BOP's central lockbox, with the full committed name and eight-digit register number, and your name and return address on the envelope. See the BOP Communications page (Send Money). For private contract facilities, contact the facility.

Packages and care packages

  • No packages from home without prior written approval from the unit team or authorized staff. The only packages from home are release clothing and authorized medical devices.

What gets rejected

  • Packages without approval, and mail the Warden finds detrimental to security, good order or discipline (with written notice and the right to appeal, 28 CFR 540.13).

How to appeal a rejection

Official source: BOP: Communications (mail, packages, money) (opens in new tab) · 28 CFR part 540 (opens in new tab)

Other states

We haven't verified these rules for these states yet. Use the agency's official page:

General information, not legal advice. No affiliate links. Who do I contact? Pick the problem and the state

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