Can inmate take their own Bible to prison?

ans aunt · #1 12-20-2018, 06:16 PM

I purchased a Bible for my niece while she was on home detention awaiting trial. It means a lot to her. She has studied, highlighted, and written in it over the past few months. Since it is a religious book, will Indiana allow her to take her own personal Bible with her when she goes to prison? If not, can it be sent to her by a pastor/church?

tigrldy · #2 12-20-2018, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ans aunt

I purchased a Bible for my niece while she was on home detention awaiting trial. It means a lot to her. She has studied, highlighted, and written in it over the past few months. Since it is a religious book, will Indiana allow her to take her own personal Bible with her when she goes to prison? If not, can it be sent to her by a pastor/church?

No to both parts of the question. She will not be allowed to take it in and a pastor will not be allowed to send it to her. Indiana does not allow hard back books in prison and they only allow books sent by an outside vendor. I sent books from Amazon but found that they had to be shipped by Amazon not labeled as shipped by Mass Marketing. They also do not allow 3nd hand books. There have been too many issues with contraband being hidden.

I'm sorry your family is starting this journey.

ans aunt · #3 12-21-2018, 11:50 AM

The bible is soft covers, not hard bound. I sent books by Amazon and Christian Book Distributors to the county jail that were accepted. I understand the issue with contraband. I was hoping since it was a religious book they would allow.

mauri23 · #4 12-23-2018, 03:11 AM

In Indiana, Hardback books are allowed again, since a couple of months. I send them regular through Amazon and my friend get it, since September I mean, before just paperback.....

Bikerguy · #5 12-23-2018, 09:03 AM

Greetings.

In the prison I work at the only things we allow new inmates to bring with them inside the walls are
1. Prescription eye glasses
2. an inexpensive wedding band
3. an inexpensive religious chain.

Books can easily be used to transport drugs into a prison.

Also Prisons tend to be fairly fluid environments. If she really values this book she should leave it in your care. I suggest she get a new bible on the inside and you and her can use both bibles to re-explore the passages she highlighted etc. One of the most valuable things an inmate can have is connection to the outside.

ans aunt · #6 01-03-2019, 10:21 PM

I've printed off all the rules and information I can find for the RDC so she knows what to expect. Just this week I told her if they did not allow her to take the bible, I would send her a new one and write to tell her what/where she marked and the color highlighter she used. Are they allowed bibles to be personalized with their name on the cover? I told her I would be writing to her while in intake, even if she can't write back. I also plan to set up for calls so when they determine where she will be placed we may be able to continue a brief bible study and talk weekly. I do understand the importance of staying connected with her and I fully intend to. Thanks for the advice.

Bikerguy · #7 01-04-2019, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ans aunt

I've printed off all the rules and information I can find for the RDC so she knows what to expect. Just this week I told her if they did not allow her to take the bible, I would send her a new one and write to tell her what/where she marked and the color highlighter she used. Are they allowed bibles to be personalized with their name on the cover? I told her I would be writing to her while in intake, even if she can't write back. I also plan to set up for calls so when they determine where she will be placed we may be able to continue a brief bible study and talk weekly. I do understand the importance of staying connected with her and I fully intend to. Thanks for the advice.

Yes they are allowed to personalize their books.

Before you send her something you bought and personalized yourself, become familiar with the prison rules. Many places only allow books from venders such as amazon etc. This cuts down on family inserting drugs and other items

ans aunt · #8 01-08-2019, 06:29 PM

Amazon does not personalize, but Christian Book Distributors does personalize bibles. I'll order through there as they are a well known distributor of Christian books and boxes are clearly marked that they are. I had no problem with her receiving from them in max-security County jail.

ans aunt · #9 02-01-2019, 01:50 PM

My niece received her sentence and is now in county jail awaiting transfer to IDOC intake. County has allowed her to have her personal bible as well as her eyeglasses. Since they've been checked through security and are now in her possession, will they transfer with her to state prison intake?

**GingerM** · #10 02-03-2019, 06:06 AM

I can't say with certainty, because I'm not that familiar with Indiana laws, but in general throughout the US, what you have in county will be left for someone else to pick up. Her glasses will be deemed "medical necessity" and those will go with her, most likely. The Bible, you will probably have to pick up from county before she transfers. They should call you to come get any of her personal possessions.

Once she's gone through intake/reception, you can call her home prison and ask them if it's allowed for you to send her her personal bible (tho' be prepared, it's probably not okay). You can probably send her a bible from a major bookseller (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc), but you most likely won't be able to send her her personal bible.

Again, this isn't specific to Indiana, but seems to be the way most of the states work. County jail and State prisons really don't have any crossover. County wants people out as fast as possible, and State is much more strict than county.