I want to start a thread so we can post and answer questions about packages for SVSP/CTF.

I will start, how do you send a book to an inmate? Any specific company I should use?
Megan

I used Amazon at Wasco.

Does anyone know about sending special packages????? I want to send him a CD player but it says I need an approval or something like that from the prison????

Thanks Jenn:thumbsup: I am wondering if it is the same at CTF? Has anyone sent books to CTF using amazon?
Megan

I have sent tons of books to CTF using Amazon and Barnes and Noble, but you have to make shure that where ever you get them from that there new, and that there paper back (NO hard covers).
As far as ordering a cd player you can get that through Walkenhorsts
at:
https://walkenhorsts.securesites.com/select_institution.html
You might need to order it as part of one of his packages not shure I forgot.

Here's a link for Wasco, and the CD players they have available to them at that specific prison
https://walkenhorsts.securesites.com/shoppingcart.html?Category=D1500

I´ve sent a lot of books to CTF using amazon.com too and I love it! I think over $25 shipping is free.

Yes, there is a form that your guy will have to ask for. It is for a Special Order package. Then they get it, and fill it out, and have the CO sign it. Then they send it to you. Its self explanatory after that.

Thanks girls for helping me out! I will use amazon.com and ask for a new paper back book.
Megan

You can technically send books from any bookstore, but they have to be packaged in a certain way--no bubble wrap, padded mailers, padded envelopes, etc. I almost always order from amazon.com b/c they ship the books in a plain cardboard box. Plus they have a huge selection. Barnes & Noble is also good if you want to go into a store and browse--just make sure and tell them the rules about packaging for shipping. You can also send individual issues of magazines through amazon. Just make sure that the books you order are paperback, and that they're actually from amazon( sometimes they come from another bookstore, but it's easy to tell that when you're ordering. And that usually only happens with rare or not popular books).

As for packages, there are two kids: quarterly packages or special purchases. Quarterly packages you can send once per quarter, and no special form or approval is needed. I recommended ordering online, and have had the best success with Walkenhorst (www.walkenhorst.com (http://www.walkenhorst.com)) or Access SecurePak (www.californiaqp.com (http://www.californiaqp.com)). Walkenhorst has the most name brand stuff, and my brother is always excited to get food he used to eat on the outside. Acess just started carrying rechargable batteries and some other good electronics, which my brother was excited about. There are copies of the item lists from all the vendors floating around so usually my brother will send me a list of stuff he wants, and then I surprise him with the rest. You have a 30 pound weight limit, and no price limit.

If you're ordering a special purchase the inmate needs to get a form filled out and approved ahead of time or they won't let the items in. I recommend ordering anything heavy like a tv or cd player or things like that through a special purchase, since there is no weight limit. Both Access and Walkenhorst carry most items that the guys want, so you can compare (or make him do it!) the prices and brands to figure out the best one to get.

I've got loads of information about packages and books, so please let me know if anyone has more specific questions or needs more information.

JKM, is that for Soledad, because I used to have an inmate mail order service and I always used to send books in padded mailers and SVSP had no problem accepting them ever, nor the other prisons that I used to send to.

Since I stopped doing that, I like Amazon because it is cheaper and you get free shipping, BUt Barnes & Nobel ships in boxes as well.

JKM, is that for Soledad, because I used to have an inmate mail order service and I always used to send books in padded mailers and SVSP had no problem accepting them ever, nor the other prisons that I used to send to.

Since I stopped doing that, I like Amazon because it is cheaper and you get free shipping, BUt Barnes & Nobel ships in boxes as well.

Yes, I'm from Soledad/CTF. But the no padded mailer rule has been for every prison I've had to deal with--glad to hear that other institutions aren't as picky. It's annoying. And I"m with you on using Amazon--good prices, good shipping, and super easy.

What things am I able to send and what am I not able to send

You can find some stuff here for Salinas
https://walkenhorsts.securesites.com/select_institution.html

I have a friend at salinas and in the hole. is he allowed a quarterly pacakage while he is in ad/seg?

I just ordered for my honey stuff I know he will enjoy...especially his snickers!!...SO quarterly I know he has to get a box before the 30th of this month .So another box can be sent in soon after??? for next quarter...he just got transferred to CTF.Those things are so expensive!

SVSP uses a quarterly form from an approved vendor. They can not have home made packages any more. The special purchase items like CD players etc need to be pre apporved on a form CDC 1060 otherwise they will not be allowed and the vendor will not send them even if they are paid for. Books can be ordered/sent via Amazon or misc book stores with no problems and CD's can also be ordered but there is a 10 CD limit. No packages or books will get thru if in ad seq or while on LD. The package order form will state the quarter its for and YES they can be ordered and sent back to back if in different quarters. You can also order paper, cards or supplies like that if they are shipped directly from the vendor and they do not exceed the allowed amount. (10 cards, 50 sheets of paper, 20 envelopes, one book of stamps, etc.)

I recently ordered my husband books through Overstock.com The prices were about 40% cheaper than Amazon & Barnes & Nobel. There wasnt a big variety, but I did find the ones he wanted. He is in CTF and I was told he was only to receive paperback books and they had to be mailed in by the company I purchased them from. Before I knew the paperback policy; I placed an order with another company (books were hardback) and the package was sent back/denied.

Can anyone share how the address is situated when you order form amazon. It doesn't seeme to give me enough room to put all teh info:

This is what I can do:

Name CDC# C-xxx13
SVSP - PO Box 1050
D-#- #-Low
Soledad, CA 93960-1050
United States

Will this work?

When I orderd for my brother I put it like this.

Name CDC #
P.O. Box 705 W/W 101
Soledad, Ca. 93960-1050

It has always worked, and he's gotten them. Just make shure there paperback and that there not used. :)

What's the weight limit for sending paperback books from amazon.com?

No weight limit, although there may be a limit on the # of books you send. I'm sorry I can't remember if there is or not! The guys are also limited to 10 non-religious books in their cells at anytime. Note also that you CAN send hardcover books to CTF, but they will cut the covers off (with the inmates permission) before distributing them.

No weight limit, although there may be a limit on the # of books you send. I'm sorry I can't remember if there is or not! The guys are also limited to 10 non-religious books in their cells at anytime. Note also that you CAN send hardcover books to CTF, but they will cut the covers off (with the inmates permission) before distributing them.
Hmm. I can't find any regulations online regarding books. Boo! I should probably double check with my dad before sending him anything, huh? also, do you know if they can trade books or donate the books they're finished with to the library or something? I'd hate for him to feel obligated to keep books I send him just because they're from me, you know?

Yes, they are allowed to donate the books they have that are extra. They can also send them out to you. I'm going to visit my brother on Saturday and I'll try and remember to ask him if there are any limits on the number of books we can send at once. It may be one of those things I got stuck in my mind long ago and it's not even true :)

Hmm. I can't find any regulations online regarding books. Boo! I should probably double check with my dad before sending him anything, huh? also, do you know if they can trade books or donate the books they're finished with to the library or something? I'd hate for him to feel obligated to keep books I send him just because they're from me, you know?

Yes, they are allowed to donate the books they have that are extra. They can also send them out to you. I'm going to visit my brother on Saturday and I'll try and remember to ask him if there are any limits on the number of books we can send at once. It may be one of those things I got stuck in my mind long ago and it's not even true :)
Cool and thank you!