Inmate order F.A.Q.                

Q- Can I place my order by phone or mail?

Yes, however it is easier if you fill out the form on the quick cart from the shop site and use the  "Print and Call" option on the payment screen. Then all you will need to do is give us the CC/Debit card information by phone.  The information on the books or supplies you order, the inmates name & mailing  as well as your e-mail will available to us. 

Print and Call can also be used with the option of mailing a Money Order to pay for your purchase. Please send us an e-mail if that is your plan.  Orders will be held one week with confirmation.  We can hold longer upon customer request.

If you call the store to place the order you will have to wait while we take care of customers in the store and look up the same information on-line that is available to you.  We will attempt to hold the phone with one hand while typing with the other hand.    

Q-  Does Paperback Swap N Shop have the mailing addresses for Texas Prisons?

Yes, however the Quick Cart form which is used for Grab Bags requires addresses to be filled in.  You can find all TDCJ addresses here.

Q- I Do not see a Grab Bag that is just exactly the type of books I want to order for an inmate can you make one up for my order?

Sad to say, but no.  Grab Bags are made from excess stock., or stock from special purchases, such as a bookstore that has gone out of business.  When there is books are available to make a western bag, a science fiction bag, a non-fiction bag or some other special bag we do so. We can not make Grab Bags to order. If your inmate requires certain types of books, call the store to order books at regular prices. Shipping and Handling Charges will apply.

Q- How often can I send a Grab Bag?

I do not recommend sending more than one Grab Bag per month. In Texas Prisons there is very often a problem with storage space. Your inmate may not have enough room to keep all 60 or so books at once  If you order two at one time, they will be shipped.  Please ask your inmate about his/her storage space first.

Supply Orders can not be combined with Grab Bags for shipping.  It may be  possible to combine book/writing supply orders.  This will depend upon factors such as mail class, and  box size/weight.  If we can save you money, and ourselves the time and expenses, we will combine orders and  your  shipping fee will be reduced.

Q- Can Paperback Swap N Shop send the book or supplies I purchased at another store to my  inmate?

Absolutely Not.  This could endanger our privilege of mailing to every inmate.

Q- Can Paperback Swap N Shop order used or new books not in the store or on the web site for my inmate?

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Yes – Most new books can be ordered at publisher price, used books ordered from on line book search service (or new books ordered from on -line publishers) will have a $5 fee added. 

Q- What about writing supplies not on the list?

If TDCJ approves of an item, we will be happy to research pricing and availability  and if feasible expand our product line.

Q- My inmate is in a County Jail / Federal Penitentiary / Prison outside of Texas.  Will  Paperback Swap N Shop mail to those units?

Contact the prison/jail mail room first. All of these will have their own guidelines. This store does not accept responsibility for any package that is mailed to the address provided by the customer. 

Federal Inmates can receive only 3 or 4 books per package, The Federal policy on writing supplies is unknown to me.  

Every county jail has standards set by that county, please contact that county jail before placing an order. We have never been able to send a Grab Bag to a county jail.  

Many states have fewer restrictions on prison mail than Texas.

After you have confirmation that the prison or jail will accept the merchandise, we will send it.

Q- Can a Inmate of a Texas Prison order books or Grab Bags directly from the store using the Commissary Account  "Trust Check"

Yes, but inmates do not have as many options. Special Grab Bags are not available by Trust Check. Also it is a challenge to communicate by mail when inmates want specific books.  Inmates who use Trust Checks are eligible for certain discounts.  Send us your inmate's name and address so we will mail them an information letter and order form.

Paperback Swap N Shop has a USPS Delivery Confirmation number to track every package we send.  We can provide legal proof when the package was delivered to the address you provided. If the inmate has moved, the package MAY be forwarded.  This store does not accept responsibility for any package that is mailed to the address provided by the customer.

If a package with an incorrectly addressed is returned to the store (this can often take 3 weeks) we will re-mail it for postage plus $1.  If the error was made by Paperback Swap N Shop we will re-mail at no charge.

It is my understanding that if TDCJ rejects a book it may be held at the unit for pickup on visiting days, or the inmate can pay to have it returned.  We will try to let you know which books are likely to be rejected. Forbidden subjects include bomb making, racially derogatory language, prison escape or  books describing various sexual behaviors, including homosexuality, S/M, rape, incest, child molestation.  VC Andrews titles are often rejected as are many William Johnstone books. TDCJ does not provide a list of banned books.  Some customers will call the unit for approval of each book sent.  That is your option.

When we pack Grab Bags we try not to put in any books that we believe will be rejected.  I know that some do get packed.  For this reason we estimate the number of Thriller/Suspense books in a Standard Grab Bag as 8 to 10 when, supply permitting, we pack 10 to 12 of those titles.  We can not guarantee that any or all books in any package are acceptable to TDCJ.

Our shop site on the web is the best place to get information on what Grab Bags are available.  As time and books  supplies permit, some unique bags are made and listed on the site. Suzy and Jane often will know what is available, Michael and Maria will not.  To be sure of getting the best information look at the shop site.  That link is just below.

Links_ If you know more links, please let us know.

Texas Dept. Of Criminal Justice  Homepage     Lots of information.  

  Family Support Link - Daily Strength
Not just for Texas Inmate Families

                        The Prison Show- KPFT Radio   Weekly Radio Show, lots of Links

One Christian Ministry Page
Good Information & Map / Links