Information can be obtained easily by people because now access to information is fast and easy thanks to the internet. However, inmates cannot get the ease because they have a lot of restrictions. Even though inmates are incarcerated, information is needed by them for their lessons, entertainment, self-development, etc.
Are Inmates Allowed to Subscribe Newspapers?
As a family member or a friend of an inmate, you may want to send newspapers to the inmate or want the inmate to subscribe to newspapers, but is it allowed for an inmate to subscribe to the newspaper? Actually, it depends on the facility where they are incarcerated. However, subscribing newspapers for inmates is usually allowed as long as they are sent from the publisher directly, not from the inmate’s family or friends.
You are able to ask the officer at the facility first whether it is permissible or not for the inmate to subscribe to the newspaper. You also have to ask what publisher which is allowed to be subscribed by the inmate because some content of the newspaper may not be permitted for inmates because of safety reasons, inappropriate content and other factors. It is also important for you to ask other things to the officer related to regulations about newspaper subscription for your inmate. And then, if the inmate is allowed to subscribe to it, you are able to subscribe and pay it for the inmate.
There may be specific procedures for delivering the newspaper to the prison where the inmate is incarcerated. Before the newspaper is handed over to the inmate, it may go through a screening process first.
Newspaper, Magazine, and Books Subscriptions in Western Virginia Regional Jail
As explained earlier, the policy and regulations of subscribing to newspapers, magazines or books in a prison or jail in every facility can be different. And now, let’s see how Western Virginia Regional Jail manages it.
In a number of facilities, the jail library is provided so that inmates can get access to information and knowledge through the library, for example in Western Virginia Regional Jail. According to the website of Western Virginia Regional Jail, this jail provides a jail library. If an inmate wants to subscribe to a newspaper, magazine, or books, their family and friends can help them to subscribe to it. But first, the inmate needs to communicate to their friends and family about the regulations including what is approved and appropriate content that can be received at the jail.
After the family or friends understand about the regulations, then they can order the newspaper, books, or magazine or subscribe to them for the inmate and the items are sent to the jail physical address as you can see below.
Inmate Name c/o
5885 West River Rd.
Salem, Va. 24153
And here are the rules and regulations about sending or subscribing books, magazines, or newspapers for inmates in Western Virginia Regional Jail.
- Newspapers, magazines, or books are new and sent directly from the publisher.
- If you want to send books, they must be paperback or soft cover.
- Each month, inmates can receive a total of four books.
- The facility does not accept used books or books received from third party sellers. If the facility receives the kinds of books, they will be returned to the sender after they arrive.
- Inmates can receive reasonable quantities of items. If the quantities are excessive and it creates a fire hazard in the cell, the items will be placed in the inmate’s property or thrown away.
- Publications do not violate U.S. Postal Regulations.
- Magazines, newspapers, or books which are ordered from a publisher will be approved after delivery to the Western Virginia Regional Jail. The jail can disapprove the whole of it or part of it if the contents are inappropriate for the inmates or can endanger the safety, order and rehabilitative efforts of the jail.
What an Inmate Said About Subscribing Newspaper in Prison
As cited from Prison Insight, Mistie Vance who was incarcerated at Chillicothe Correctional Center told several things related to getting newspapers, magazines, and books in the correctional center. She said that receiving newspapers, magazines, and other publications was allowed, but those items were monitored for excessive sexual content and the items would be rejected if those were inappropriate. She also said that the inmates were also given access to get most Bible study correspondence courses and other spiritual publications. She added that ordering books from vendors and having books sent in to them were also allowed as long as those items were sent from vendors.
Furthermore, she said that if inmates could not subscribe to newspapers, magazines, or books, inmates still could get access to reading by going to the prison library.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
