I recently tried to send a book from Amazon.com to a friend in jail. It was refused. I noticed the Harris County Jail website said books may be sent directly from the publisher. Does this mean I have to order it from say, Penguin, not Amazon? Also, it says "with prior permission", but doesn't specify how to get this permission. Does anyone have a phone number for the mail room at the Harris County Jail, or know how to get a book to a friend there?

You should probably call the main mumber for the jail and ask for the mail room to see how to get permission to send a book. They can come from Amazon or other places like that. You just need to find out what is required. Good Luck!

I'm not sure what Harris County facility your loved one is in. The main number to the 1200 Baker Street facility is 713.755.7484. They should be able to help.

Technically it's supposed to be mailed directly from the publisher, but while I was locked up my mom sent me books from Amazon with no problems. I think it all depends on who or what mood the deputy working the mailroom is in.

When Harris County or TDC or anywhere else might use the word "publisher" when stating their policy it is really just a poor choice of a word. What they should use - and what the policies mean - is "retailer". Amazon or other retailers work just fine.