Notice to new members intending to register - from January 9th 2012

Susan66 · #26 04-06-2010, 05:11 AM

I want to add a caution for the newbies out there no hard back books my heart was broken when a series my guy and I were reading together had a new one out and I had to wait 9 months to send him the book in paper back.

mammastalkin · #27 04-06-2010, 07:05 AM

TX allows hard back books.

Susan66 · #28 04-06-2010, 11:21 AM

ok thanks Mama! I know Florida Arizona and Ohio don't allow hard backs. Florida only allows the United Post Office,not UPS or Fed Ex. Wait 5 minutes and those rules will be different too!!! Amazon does used is there anywhere that doesn't allowed used if it comes straight from a bookstore?

DaveMoff · #29 04-06-2010, 01:58 PM

I've heard that Idaho does not allow hardcovers at all. Texas allows books sent via more or less any means to at least some prisons, but the Dallas County Jail, at least, will only accept packages sent through the U.S. Mail.

Some years ago I sent several books through one of Amazon's used sellers and had them returned. Among those was "The Collected Poems Of Emily Dickinson". Dangerous literature indeed!

BellaJ · #30 05-23-2010, 09:17 AM

Am glad i came across this thread..i am thinking of sending some new books to my friend, but seems some things might have changed since i last sent him one ( about 4 years ago)..and that was a personalised "raunchy book" ( we were together then)and he had no problems getting that at all.
i would like to send him the "Twilight" series ( Stephenie Meyer). does anyone know if these would be acceptable, or how i can find out. he is in Raiford.
i could ask him, but i want it to be a suprise..

Thanks

Susan66 · #31 05-23-2010, 12:26 PM

In fla make sure it comes USPS I have sent several soft back books to my guy in Florida. It should be ok but vampires shouldn,t sparkle!

mammastalkin · #32 06-09-2010, 07:52 AM

Bella you should call the mail room there to be certain. I would think they're okay but I would hate for you to lose your money.

otakarecek · #33 06-09-2010, 10:05 AM

Bella, I sent the 4th book to my friend and there was no problem with it

BellaJ · #34 06-15-2010, 12:16 AM

Hi, thanks guys..i only just found this thread again, with the new changes to the forum

i am going to check out amazon, and see if they have the twilight series. i ended up asking him about it, as i wasn't sure if he could get them, am awaiting his reply, as i didnt want them to be sent back, even though there is nothing graphic in them, you never know..
i did want it to be a suprise...
thanks again for you help

ohiolove · #35 06-15-2010, 07:37 AM

Books sent (by me or others) and accepted by Ohio's DR:

Extreme Curves
Zaftig: The Case for Curves
Texts of Taoism (Volume 1)
American Gods: A Novel
Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1)
New Moon (The Twilight Saga, Book 2)
Eclipse (The Twilight Saga, Book 3)
The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory
The Fabric of the Cosmos: Space, Time, and the Texture of Reality
Various packages (books + cd's) for learning languages

ajwgroomer · #36 07-01-2010, 06:36 PM

Where can I find a list of "unapproved" books for d/r polunsky unit, tx?

mammastalkin · #37 07-01-2010, 07:20 PM

You have to call the mail room for specifics. There is no online list. I've never had anything denied though. You can't send anything with nudity or excessive violence. Also no graphic depictions of sex.

ajwgroomer · #38 07-03-2010, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mammastalkin

You have to call the mail room for specifics. There is no online list. I've never had anything denied though. You can't send anything with nudity or excessive violence. Also no graphic depictions of sex.

Thank you

Danigran · #39 07-13-2010, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mammastalkin

TX allows hard back books.

I know TX allows the hard backs but NOT when they are leveled. Found that out real quick! Maybe things have changed though, he was leveled back at the end of 2008

Mrz Fdz · #40 07-13-2010, 05:10 PM

I have had issues with books sent from Amazon. Since the books sold there are sent from other individuals TDCJ doesnt allow that. Fortunately the sender agreed to send me the copy after the other sent back. I another book that I had issues with was an Ann Rule book for being too graphical? lol.. I just sent him another book this one by James Patterson called "Private" so hopefully that will make it to him.

Danigran · #41 07-19-2010, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrz Fdz

I have had issues with books sent from Amazon. Since the books sold there are sent from other individuals TDCJ doesnt allow that. Fortunately the sender agreed to send me the copy after the other sent back. I another book that I had issues with was an Ann Rule book for being too graphical? lol.. I just sent him another book this one by James Patterson called "Private" so hopefully that will make it to him.

I try and use Powells books all the time. They have used ones, which are cheaper, but they send them so the guys can receive them.

Mrz Fdz · #42 07-19-2010, 04:16 PM

I normally use Overstock its really cheap when it comes to books and pretty reasonable with shipping. My husband usually gets the books in about 7-10 business days! I think its great!

2moro · #43 08-24-2010, 04:28 PM

I have some questions ... and some of them might be stupid. Hope you don't mind

How do I make sure that the book is sent by U.S. Postal Service (with amazon)?

I read that there can be problems with sending religious books and so on. My penpal is a christian and I want to send him a bible. Does anybody know if that is a problem?

Should I ask him before sending something by amazon? I don't want to cause any problems, but I wanted it to be a surprise.

mammastalkin · #44 08-24-2010, 05:39 PM

I've never had a problem with anything I've had sent from Amazon or Alibris. Alibris is cheap because you can find used books there and my friends don't mind a bit! I can buy them more that way!! I've never had an order refused or a book denied. I've sent a lot of books. Religous books are fine. Just stay away from porn (!), books that have explicit descriptions of sex, gang violence or anything that is graphically violent. Hard back books are fine in TX. The only reason to check with him is if you want to be sure he doesn't already have it. Since they can't trade or share anymore it is worthless if he has that book.

kmlchitown · #45 08-27-2010, 04:01 AM

I have had several books returned because of content and they were Vanishing acts , The pact and another of Jodi Picoult granted i didn't think much of the content but Vanishing act as the father is in jail kind of was stupid of me and i really should of know . But the pact come as a suprise although it did not go into detail the girl was raped at a young age and it was all of a paragraph and like I said there was no details . that was a big NO NO ... I have sent other books in which i have thought would never get through and they did. I think it really does depend. But a bible i don't think you would have any problems . Rosey beads are a no but they can get them from store i believe.
Good luck with it all anyways ..

kmlchitown · #46 08-27-2010, 04:04 AM

PS i use Barnes and Noble and the other book was nineteen mintues so i guess stay away from Jodi Picoult for your Pen Pal but for yourself she is a great read ...

2moro · #47 08-27-2010, 05:41 AM

Thank you, mammastalkin and kmlchitown. I'll just try it then =).

It doesn't surprise me that "Nineteen Minutes" was returned ... but you're absolutely right: Jodi Picoult is a great author.

erinzmom · #48 10-12-2010, 05:19 AM

I have read your posts with great interest. I have a book reselling business and called Polunsky mail room on many occasions to check on book contents. The last time I called, I was informed the mail room does not offer that information. It was off-putting. I will follow your suggestions and request a copy of the banned books list. If anyone has successfully received one (and can email it), wouldn't that be great! ???

erinzmom · #49 10-12-2010, 05:25 AM

There is a restriction on sending URLs. Please read between the lines. There is a site (first name half) followed by a dot and then the com. It is a good resource for folks who send books frequently.

mammastalkin · #50 10-13-2010, 08:38 AM

Here is the most recent info from the TDCJ:
"Family members or friends and offenders may verify that a book or magazine is approved prior to sending by contacting the unit mailroom or the Mail System Coordinators Panel (MSCP).

Family members or friends may call the unit mailroom to inquire if a book or magazine is approved or contact MSCP.
Offenders may submit an I-60, "Offender Request" to the unit mailroom or MSCP to inquire if a book or magazine is approved.

Stationery is defined as white, undecorated paper, unstamped envelopes, carbon paper, white envelopes with the offender’s commitment name and TDCJ number preprinted in the return address portion of the envelope, but excluding paper or envelopes with names, addresses or letterhead and tablets or writing pads with stapled binding. The appropriate stationary may be mailed to offenders only from legitimate vendors or suppliers of stationery. Items such as food, clothing, jewelry, and toiletries may not be mailed to offenders.
Contact Information

Jennifer Smith
Program Supervisor
Mail System Coordinators Panel
P. O. Box 99
Huntsville, TX 77342-0099
Fax: (936) 437-6336

Here is a link to the info.