To send newspapers to prisoners, first confirm the receiving facility’s rules, then arrange a subscription through a permitted publisher or supplier. Provide the correct identification details and publication address, and keep the order confirmation.
The process involves three separate checks: whether the sender is accepted, whether the publication is permitted, and whether the delivery information is accurate. This guide explains each step and what to do if an issue does not arrive.
1. Check the Rules for the Current Facility
Before you send newspapers to prisoners, confirm their current institution and correctional system. State prisons, county jails, and federal facilities can have different instructions.
Ask the mailroom:
- Does the institution accept this newspaper and its supplier?
- Must issues arrive directly from a publisher or bookstore?
- Which address is used for subscriptions?
- Are there publication or storage limits?
- Does the recipient need to complete any paperwork?
For federal recipients, Bureau of Prisons policy generally requires newspapers to come from a publisher, book club, or bookstore. The sender’s address must be identifiable on the package. Apply that federal guidance to federal institutions; obtain the relevant instructions for state or county custody.
2. Verify the Name, Number, and Publication Address
When you send newspapers to prisoners, use the recipient’s full legal name and the identification number required by the institution.
Confirm these details before checkout:
| Detail | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Recipient name | Exact spelling used in facility records. |
| Identification number | Every digit and any required prefix. |
| Facility | Current location following any transfer. |
| Publication address | Correct street address or designated processing center. |
| Additional information | Housing details or other required address elements. |
Ask for the newspaper address specifically. Personal correspondence and publications may use different delivery routes.
3. Choose Reading That Suits the Recipient
People who send newspapers to prisoners have several publication options. Start with the reader’s preferred language, interests, and desired reading frequency.
Ask whether they want hometown reporting, national news, Spanish-language reading, sports, or a general mix. Compare the actual publication and subscription schedule.
MailCall Newspaper
MailCall is a monthly newspaper designed exclusively for inmates. Families and friends can arrange subscriptions for incarcerated recipients. Its content includes news, education, entertainment, financial literacy, health, and sports.
Its homepage presents four categories:
| Category | Focus |
|---|---|
| Urban | U.S. stories, voices, and urban culture. |
| Spanish | News and reading in Spanish. |
| Global | News from around the world. |
| Sports | Scores, highlights, and sports discussion. |
These categories are shown on MailCall’s website. If you choose MailCall to send newspapers to prisoners, check current category availability and subscription terms. Ask support about any category absent from the ordering form.
SureShot Books’ Newspaper Collection
Use the SureShot Books newspaper collection to compare national and regional titles when you send newspapers to prisoners. It includes national, regional, sports, and Spanish-language newspaper categories, such as USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today Sports Weekly, La Opinión, and El Diario La Prensa.
Compare the individual listing’s delivery schedule, duration, and current terms. A familiar regional title may suit someone who wants news from home.
Sports Guide Books
Families who send newspapers to prisoners with a strong interest in sports may also consider a seasonal guide or magazine.
Sports Guide Books features football publications including Phil Steele’s college football preview, Lindy’s previews, and the Playbook Football Preview Guide.
Check the season and format. A preview guide serves a different purpose from an ongoing newspaper subscription and remains subject to facility acceptance.
4. Read the Subscription Terms Before Paying
If you plan to send newspapers to prisoners regularly, review more than the headline price. Check the number of issues, delivery frequency, subscription duration, total cost, renewal arrangements, and cancellation or refund terms. Ask what happens after a transfer or returned issue.
SureShot’s newspaper collection states that subscriptions are final sales, with no refunds, credits, or cancellations. For MailCall’s up-to-date pricing, available editions, and subscription options, use its subscription page. Review the applicable provider’s terms before payment.
5. Place the Order and Keep a Record
To send newspapers to prisoners through an online subscription form:
- Enter your contact information as the purchaser.
- Add the recipient’s verified name and identification number.
- Enter the designated publication address.
- Select the correct publication, edition, and term.
- Review the details and complete payment.
MailCall’s registration form separates sender details from inmate and facility information. Save the confirmation, selected subscription, order date, and support contact information. A simple record makes later delivery inquiries easier.
6. Understand When Delivery Starts
When you send newspapers to prisoners, the purchase date may differ from the first mailing date. Publication schedules, subscription setup, postal transit, and institutional distribution are separate stages.
MailCall’s published FAQ advises that the first issue usually arrives within two to four weeks of the initial order, with timing varying by facility. Ask the provider which issue will begin the subscription. If tracking is available, delivery to the facility does not necessarily mean the recipient has received it.
7. Investigate Missing or Returned Issues
If you send newspapers to prisoners and an issue is missing, identify where the problem occurred before buying a replacement. Ask the provider whether it was mailed and verify the address used. Ask the recipient whether the institution issued a rejection notice.
| Situation | Suggested next step |
|---|---|
| Not yet mailed | Confirm the first scheduled issue and mailing date. |
| Mailed but not received | Recheck the address and ask about facility processing. |
| Returned or rejected | Obtain the stated reason and contact the provider. |
| Incorrect recipient details | Request a correction before the next mailing. |
Keep any return label or written notice. When you send newspapers to prisoners, refund or replacement eligibility depends on the provider’s terms and circumstances.
8. Update the Subscription After a Transfer
Before you send newspapers to prisoners at a new institution, check its publication rules and update the subscription address. Provide the subscription provider with the recipient’s name, identification number, and new publication address. Ask when the change will take effect and whether an issue has already been mailed.
MailCall’s contact guidance asks customers to report transfers with updated location and identification details. Check the details again before renewing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send newspapers to prisoners from my home?
Check the facility’s rules. For federal recipients, ordinary newspaper deliveries generally must come from a publisher, book club, or bookstore.
Does an accepted supplier guarantee every issue will be allowed?
No. Sender eligibility and publication review are separate. Federal policy permits review and rejection of individual issues under its stated criteria.
Can I send newspapers to prisoners without knowing their identification number?
Obtain the required number before ordering. MailCall’s registration form includes a separate inmate-number field.
Contact MailCall Newspaper
For questions or to subscribe, feel free to reach out:
- Phone: +1 (201) 429‑0422
- Email: info@mailcallnewspaper.com
- Website: www.MailCallNewspaper.com
Final Check Before Ordering
Before you send newspapers to prisoners, confirm the recipient’s location, permitted supplier, selected publication, identification details, and mailing address. Check current subscription terms and keep your confirmation.
After ordering, monitor the first issue and update the provider promptly if the recipient moves. Accurate information and a clear delivery record make the process easier to manage.
