Shipping policy
Shipping Policy
PLEASE NOTE: Please note that the Priority Mail shipping timeframe does not include order processing time. Some books are already in our inventory and ready to ship, so they may be shipped the same day. However, many titles are available through our other warehouse, which may require 4–7 business days for processing before they are shipped via Priority Mail.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have selected Priority Mail or Media Mail as your shipping method, your books will ship based on the date the order is completed, not the date the order was placed. Thank you for your understanding!
In-stock orders ship fast. Books that are in stock ship within 24–48 hours of your order.
Orders from multiple warehouses. Your books may not all be stored in the same warehouse. When that happens, we ship everything available right away, and the remaining books ship as soon as they arrive from our other warehouse. This can add 2–5 days to part of your order.
You won’t wait for the whole order. We never hold available books back. If part of your order is ready, it goes out immediately.
Processing time frames range from 3-10 days and shipping time frames are those generally posted by the United States Postal (USPS) When shipping books to inmates, USPS is the only approved method for Correctional Institutions.
*Effective January 1, 2026, our Shipping & Handling rates will be as follows:
Media Mail Shipping 5-10 days
1 Book $8.25
2 Books $9.8
3 Books $11.2
4 Books $12.8
5 Books $14.15
Priority Mail Shipping 2-5 days
1 Book $12.00
2 Books $14.00
3 Books $16.00
4 Books $18.00
5 Books $20.00
(PLEASE NOTE: All prices are subject to change).
All of our books are delivered by the United States Postal Service (USPS) Media Mail Insured / (USPS) First Class Mail Insured or (USPS) Priority Mail Insured and comes with a tracking number and include an itemized receipt of products along with the inmate's complete name and booking number clearly marked. USPS tracking numbers are posted to your online account as soon as they become available. To check the status of your order, log onto www.usps.com and enter your tracking number.
IMPORTANT NOTE: As the sender, we are responsible for the delivery of items to the facility. Once a package has been delivered to the facility, that means it has been received and accepted by a representative at the facility. As such, we the sender, are no longer responsible nor accountable for the items once they are received. For more information, contact your facility or you may contact the USPS at www.usps.com or 1-800-275-8777 (you have proof of delivery from your tracking number).
=== FACILITY CHECK, APPROVAL AND ORDERING ===
Q: Why does the site ask which facility?
A: Every facility has its own rules for books and magazines. We check your order against that facility's rules before it ships, so you don't pay for something that gets sent back.
Q: Why doesn't my ZIP code work?
A: The address you use for letters often belongs to a mail-scanning company in another state, not the facility. Books sent there are rejected. Choose the state and search by the facility's name instead, and we'll use the correct address for books.
Q: I can't find the facility.
A: Try part of the name (for example "Tarrant" instead of the full name). If it still isn't listed, use the "Request this facility" form and we'll check and email you within 1 business day.
Q: What does "approved vendor" mean?
A: The facility lists Texas Corrections Bookstore as an approved source for books. You can order with confidence.
Q: What does "we ship here" mean?
A: We regularly deliver books to this facility, even though we may not be on its official vendor list.
Q: What does "we haven't shipped to this facility yet" mean?
A: Texas Corrections Bookstore has served the correctional community for over 30 years. We're a publisher and ship directly to the facility, not a third-party reseller. We haven't sent books to this facility before, but you're welcome to order. If it's rejected because we're not an approved vendor, you'll get a full refund. The returned books must include the facility's "Notice of Rejection" form.
Q: What does "we can't ship here" mean?
A: This facility doesn't accept books from us, or doesn't accept books at all. Leave your email and we'll tell you if that changes.
Q: Why was a magazine or book blocked?
A: That facility doesn't allow that type of content or format (for example tattoo or adult magazines, or hardcovers). We stopped it so you don't pay for a rejected order. Try a similar title the facility allows.
Q: Can inmates receive hardcover books?
A: Some facilities allow them, most don't. Most of our books are paperback; check "Binding Type" in the product description, and check the facility's rules first.
Q: What information do I need to order?
A: The inmate's full name as booked, their ID number, and the facility's full name and address for books. Don't abbreviate the facility name. Your billing address and phone number appear on the invoice; gifts can't be sent anonymously.
Q: How should I enter the address at checkout?
A: First and last name / Inmate ID and unit / Facility name / PO Box (if any) / Street address / City, state, ZIP / United States / your phone number.
Q: Can I ship to more than one address?
A: No. Each address needs its own order.
Q: I can't find the book I want.
A: Search by ISBN, author, title or keyword. If it isn't showing, contact us and we'll check whether we can get it.
Q: Are there special rules for Texas prisons?
A: Since April 1, 2026, Texas state prisons (TDCJ) accept only new softcover books shipped directly from a publisher or bookstore; hardcover and used books are rejected. Letters go to the Dallas processing center (ZIP 75266), but books ship to the inmate's unit, so choose the unit by name.
=== SHIPPING, PROCESSING AND TRACKING ===
Q: How do you ship to facilities?
A: Only by USPS, insured, with a tracking number. Facilities accept packages only from the U.S. Postal Service, because inmates can't sign for deliveries.
Q: What does shipping cost?
A: Rates effective January 1, 2026 (subject to change). Media Mail (5-10 days): 1 book $8.25, 2 books $9.80, 3 books $11.20, 4 books $12.80, 5 books $14.15. Priority Mail (2-5 days): 1 book $12.00, 2 books $14.00, 3 books $16.00, 4 books $18.00, 5 books $20.00.
Q: How long until my order ships?
A: In-stock books ship within 24-48 hours. Books coming from our other warehouse need 4-7 business days before they ship. Delivery times start when the order ships, not when it's placed.
Q: Why did only part of my order arrive?
A: Your books may be in different warehouses. We send what's ready right away and ship the rest as soon as it arrives, which can add 2-5 days for those books.
Q: How do I track my order?
A: Log into your account; the USPS tracking number is posted as soon as it's available. Enter it at usps.com to see where the package is.
Q: Tracking says delivered, but he hasn't received it.
A: Delivered means a facility representative received and accepted the package. After that, the facility's mailroom handles it, and inspection can take several days. Please contact the facility's mailroom. USPS can also help at 1-800-275-8777 with your tracking number.
Q: My package hasn't moved in tracking.
A: USPS Media Mail can show few updates for several days. If there's no movement for 10 days, contact us with your order number and we'll look into it with USPS.
Q: Do you ship to Alaska, Hawaii, military or outside the U.S.?
A: Yes. Alaska and Hawaii may take longer. Military APO/FPO addresses ship by Priority Mail only. International shipping takes about 10-20 days depending on the country; ask us for a quote. Federal prisons and facilities outside the U.S. each have their own rules, so check them first.
=== REJECTIONS, REFUNDS, CANCELLATIONS AND CORRECTIONS ===
Q: What if the facility rejects the order because you're not an approved vendor?
A: You'll get a full refund. The returned books must include the facility's "Notice of Rejection" form.
Q: What if a book is rejected for its content?
A: You get store credit for books the publisher lets us return. Shipping isn't credited. Books marked "non-returnable" in the description can't be credited, but we can reship them to a home address if you pay the shipping.
Q: Why can a facility reject a package?
A: Facilities can refuse items for content, format (such as hardcover), language they can't review, or the inmate's own restrictions. Using the facility check before you order prevents most rejections.
Q: Can I cancel or change my order?
A: You have 24 hours from purchase to correct, change or cancel your order. A cancelled order becomes store credit for the full amount. After 24 hours the order is being prepared and is final.
Q: Can I get a refund instead of store credit?
A: Only in approved cases, such as the inmate's verified release. Refunds deduct the card processing fee (2.9% + $0.30) and a 10% handling fee, about 13-15% in total, so store credit is usually the better choice. We always refund books that are out of stock or unavailable.
Q: I entered the wrong name, ID or address.
A: Log into your account and choose "Request Order Correction" at the top of your order page right away. We can't refund orders shipped with incorrect information.
Q: You sent the wrong book or a duplicate.
A: That's our mistake: we'll send the right book at no cost or give you full store credit.
Q: Can I return a book that was delivered?
A: Only undamaged books in their original condition, and only if the publisher allows returns. You pay shipping both ways. Damaged items (bent pages, markings, names written in) can't be credited.
Q: Are magazines and newspapers refundable?
A: No. All magazine, single-issue magazine and newspaper sales are final. We can only change the mailing address.
=== ADD FUNDS, CATALOGS, SUBSCRIPTIONS AND TRANSFERS ===
Q: How does "Add Funds" work?
A: You add money to the inmate's Texas Corrections Bookstore account, and they choose their own books. They pick from our catalog and send their order by mail or email; we fill it from the account balance. Funds can only be used for Texas Corrections Bookstore purchases, not jail commissary, and they're non-refundable and non-transferable.
Q: Does he need a catalog?
A: At most facilities, yes; you can buy one from our home page. If a book isn't in the catalog, he can ask us by mail or email and we'll check.
Q: Some facilities only let the inmate order. What should I do?
A: Add funds to his account, and he places the order himself. The facility message on our site tells you when this applies.
Q: What if he's transferred and has money in his account?
A: The funds follow him and stay active. If he's released with a balance, you can use it for online purchases; no refunds are issued.
Q: What if he's transferred before the package arrives?
A: Let us know right away. If it hasn't shipped, we can send it to the new facility, hold it, or give store credit. Facilities forward mail for 30 days, and USPS forwards periodicals for 60 days. If a package comes back to us, reshipping costs postage, unless the mistake was ours.
Q: How long until the first magazine arrives?
A: Magazines ship from the publisher's clearinghouse; the estimated time is on each magazine's page, and first issues can take up to 12 weeks. Some facilities allow subscriptions only, not single issues, so check first.
Q: How long until the first newspaper arrives?
A: Allow 2-3 weeks for the first issue. Newspapers are delivered by USPS.
Q: He hasn't received his magazine or newspaper.
A: If a magazine hasn't arrived within 60 days, or a newspaper within 30 days, tell us right away so we can update the address with the publisher. Issues missed because of an address change can't be replaced.
=== STATE RULES: TEXAS, MISSOURI AND FLORIDA ===
Q: Can I send books to someone in a Texas state prison?
A: Yes, but since April 1, 2026, Texas prisons (TDCJ) accept only new softcover books shipped directly from a publisher or bookstore. Hardcover and used books are rejected. Letters go to Dallas, but books ship to the inmate's unit, so choose the unit by name, not the letter ZIP 75266.
Q: Can I buy books for someone in a Missouri state prison?
A: No. Since September 25, 2023, Missouri prisons (MODOC) don't allow family or friends to send or buy books for an inmate. Send money to his inmate account using the Missouri DOC's approved method; he can then order books himself from an approved vendor. County jails in Missouri have their own rules; use the facility check.
Q: Can I send books to someone in a Florida state prison?
A: Yes. Florida prisons (FDC) accept books shipped directly from a bookstore or publisher, and they review content: books with violence, sexual content or escape-related material can be returned. Use the facility check to see what's allowed.
=== CONTACT ===
Q: What are your hours, and how do I reach you?
A: Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm ET; closed weekends and legal holidays. Chat is the fastest way to reach us; outside hours, leave your email and we'll reply the next business day. Phone: 832.981.4441. Email: info@txcorrectionsbookstore.com. Have your order number ready.