How to Request Books for Prisoners

We are an all-volunteer bookstore that provides books to prisoners in Florida free of charge. Here are a few things you should know before requesting books:

 

• We fill around 600 orders per month, and it can take up to 2 months to fill requests. Please be patient. Please don't send additional requests until you receive your package. Once you have received your package, please wait at least 2 months before requesting books again. 

• If you are near your release date please don't order books.

• Please write your name, address, and prisoner ID number clearly and completely on the outside of the envelope as well as somewhere on your letter.

• We do not have a catalog. Because our titles change so quickly we will try to fill whatever request you send.

• The more general your request, the more likely we will be able to fill it. Please list authors you are interested in and/or an area of interest or subject. You may list titles you wish to receive, but it is often difficult for us to fill such specific requests.

• We can provide the National Prisoner Resource List, a packet of information about prison book programs, and other resources that prisoners can use. Write and ask for an N.P.R.L. if you are interested.

• Most of our materials are used. In your order, please, give us as much information as you can about what kind of materials you are allowed to receive and what restrictions are placed on your order: new or used, hard-cover or soft-cover, how many books you are allowed to receive, and any special directions on packing. 

• Once you have finished the books, we ask that you pass them along to others or donate them to your facility's library if one is available. 

• Unfortunately, we cannot provide legal materials or assistance. For a copy of the Jailhouse Lawyer's Handbook, published by the Center for Constitutional Rights and National Lawyers Guild, write to: National Lawyers Guild, PO Box 1266, New York, NY 10009-8941.

• We have available, upon request, "Things to do while you are waiting", a book to help prepare soon-to-be released inmates for life on the outside. It has chapters on goal setting, getting a job, managing your money, starting a business, and resources. If you are soon to be released and would like a copy of the book then write to us and request a copy.