Are we allowed to order books through Amazon or Barnes and Noble and have them shipped to the bay? I'd like to surprise my guy with some reading material but am not sure if this is allowed there.

Hello,

Yes, I send books to my brother through Amazon all the time. And now that he has a cellie I send him 4 books a month also so that my brother gets a total of 8 a month. Just sent his cellie a pkg too. But, call SHU receiving before you order and make sure they are still accepting books without the book labels before you order. I call every month to make sure. Every time the CO always says to order them fast before they change their minds. Even the guards think it's stupid to have book labels and go back and forth. Book label-no book label. The books usually arrive the prison in3-4 dyas but they won't receive them for about a month. So what I do is order them the 3rd week of the month, that way I know he'll get them the following month and not end up with 2 shipments in a month. Because they will dispose of the books at the inmates expense.

Take care and God bless,

Tiffany

Thanks! I have a dumb question what is the difference between label and no label I mean how will I know which one it is? Also how in the heck are you getting through to them? I have called many,many times and have only been able to reach recordings lately.

When I call I go to inmate services and choose visiting or one of the other options. I just want to speak to a live person and then I tell them to transfer me to SHU receiving. I guess everything for SHU inmates is done through SHU receiving. So, your mission is always to get a live body on the phone and then tell them what your looking to do.

In reference to the book labels, awhile ago the inmate had to mail you a blue book label form. And when you went to the book store you had to give it to them so they could afix it to the outside of the pkg. The CO's apparently don't no hw to tell if a book order is really coming from Barnes and Noble or not. It required the vendor to stamp the form with there seal to show that it was really coming from a book vendor. Which meant that you couldn't order books over the internet. Now no book label is required. The form is somewhat similar to the pkg slip. It is signed by the inmate and the CO.

Also, I usually call at 8 sharp in the morning.

Take care and God bless,

Tiffany

Thanks again Bscotch
I don't know if he has been transfered to the SHU yet or not but I am assuming he has been and that is why I haven't heard from him in 21/2 weeks because if he has been transfered perhaps he doesn't have his property yet.His Mom has been trying to call also and hasn't reached a live person but we will keep trying....
Since labels are not required presently then I can order from the internet right? Maybe I should wait until I hear from him and find out just where he is for sure.

If you call up there and do reach a live person tell them you trying to find out where he s currently housed. He may be in Ad-seg for 30 days. But they should tell you where is housed or try to reach visiting and they'll look it up on the computer right away. Usually a guy named Webster answers the phone he's pretty cool.

Tiffany

His Mom got through today.He is still in Ad Seg and his counsler says he doesn't understand why he isn't writing cause he is alive and well and getting his mail.....Hmmmmm wonder whats up with him.Anyways they said he will probably go to the SHU next week and that most likely the DA will not pick it up so Nov 04 should be his max date

Good! I'm glad you finally got word. Hopefully you feel a little more comfortable. I know how hard it is. I will keep you in my prayers.

Have a safe New Year.

Take care and God bless,

Tiffany

Thank you

I have another question.Can you send in puzzle books or the magazine type puzzles they have at grocery stores?

I've always bought those huge 400 pg. puzzle books at the bookstore and sent them with his books. I haven't sent one from Amazon but I'm sure they sell them. Do a search for Dell crosswords. I don'yt think you can just mail one yourself.

Tiffany

http://openinc.org/products.html#reentry


There are some books on this website I would like to send him,do you think they would be allowed if sent directly from the vendor?

Call the company and ask them do they mail to the prisons and have mailed to any prisons in CA before. Specifically Pelican Bay. Also make sure that whatever you send is soft-back books only.

TIffany

How about one of those name meanings? It's a drawing or painting on heavy paper that measures about 8 x 10? Would that get through?

Not sure about that. I know what you are talking about. As long as it is not the painting it might get through depedning on who's working the mail. If you have some a-hole working they might try to be mean and not let it through because it is something nice and personal. Make sure the paper is not to thick or they won't let it through. Maybe you should just photocopy it. I know that's kind of messed up but he'll definitely get it that way. Just some thoughts.

Tiffany