Find out how to send books to prisoners at HM Prison Sheppey Cluster (Elmley)? If you have friends or family who are in prison then you will understand just what a book means to a prisoner. Prisoners have countless hours of free time on their hands and sending books to a prison inmate can help occupy that time.
Follow These Rules….
Ship Books From Amazon UK to the HM Prison Sheppey Cluster (Elmley)
Most prisons in the UK will not accept books from local bookstores. You need to ship your books direct from a national bookstore. Prisons will not accept books from friends and family of the prisoner. You have to ship direct from a major national bookstore like Amazon.
We highly recommend that you shop for books on Amazon, the world’s largest bookstore and most importantly that you only view books for sale by Amazon themselves (other third party merchants can also sell on Amazon.com) to ensure your books correctly. Other online bookstores and even many third party sellers on Amazon.co.uk are known to cancel orders to prisons or to not pack them according to prison requirements. Do not have the books shipped to yourself and the forward the parcel onto the Prison. Books should be shipped direct from Amazon to the Prison to maximise the chance they get accepted.
Only Ship New Books to Prison
To ensure security most prisons will only accept new books in brand new condition. There must be a delivery note attached to the package that clearly lists all the books included showing them as new books and listing their individual prices. Many prisons also operate a size restriction so if you intend to send large books then check with the mail room at HM Prison Sheppey Cluster (Elmley) first.
Address the Shipment Correctly
Her Majesty’s Prison Service will only accept book deliveries at HM Prison Sheppey Cluster (Elmley) when they are addressed correctly to the prisoner.
Any parcel needs to clearly identify the prisoners name and their prison number. Shipments should be addressed like this:
Prisoner Name – Prison Number
Prison Name
Street Name
POSTAL TOWN/CITY
COUNTY
POSTAL CODE
UNITED KINGDOM
Do Not Ship Hardcover Books
Very few UK prisons will accept hard-cover books so unless you have a confirmation direct from prison authorities at HM Prison Sheppey Cluster (Elmley) or someone has confirmed in the comments section below that hardcover books can be received at this prison it is safest to always ship softcover books. Be sure to avoid staples, cardboard, spiral binding as well as additional items like bookmarks, etc
No Violence or Nudity in Books Sent to Prison
Prison authorities will almost always reject any books with nudity or any sort of violent themes. Whether you are sending fiction or non fiction steer clear of any books with the following to minimise the chance your books is rejected:-
- Depictions of nudity, obscenities, suggestive images, or other offensive materials.
- Depictions of weapons, gang references, criminal activity, codes, or markings.
- Depictions containing writings, images or references that may incite violence, riot, racism.
Every Prisoner Has a Limit on What They Can Receive
You should always check with the HM Prison Sheppey Cluster (Elmley) mail room before sending many books but a good general rule for shipping books to prisoners is one parcel per month containing no more than 10 books. If the prisoner receives more than their limit any further book shipments may be rejected. This includes any deliveries they have received from other friends or relatives. Don’t forget to check with the prisoner to make sure that they have not already received their allowance already that month. Don’t forget to read the comments below to see if anyone has found that the rules for HM Prison Sheppey Cluster (Elmley) are any different.
Do Not Send a Magazine Subscription to a Prisoner
Although most prisons will allow you to send books to prisoners magazines are not allowed. Magazines must be purchased by the prisoner in th canteen as each prison has a relationship with a local newsagent.
If you want to send a magazine to the prisoner that they are unable to get themselves through the canteen we suggest you contact the HM Prison Sheppey Cluster (Elmley) mail room and discuss the process.
Checklist for Sending Books to Prisoners:
- No hardcover books
- Send direct from Amazon UK to the HM Prison Sheppey Cluster (Elmley)
- Always ship new books only to Prisoners
- Do not ship Magazines to a Prisoner without confirmation from the Prison Mail Room
- Always address it to the Prison's PO Box if they have one
- No violent or nudity themes
- Stay within the HM Prison Sheppey Cluster (Elmley) delivery limits
- Always check if an inmate can receive a magazine subscription
- If in any doubt call the HM Prison Sheppey Cluster (Elmley) Mail Room
- Share your experiences below
- Go and find some books now!
We Highly Recommend You Purchase Books For Prisoners From...
Amazon UK send books every day to prisons right around the UK and they represent the best way to make sure your loved ones get the books you send them at HM Prison Sheppey Cluster (Elmley).
I sent in some books a few months ago, via Amazon, and they got through fine (after reading this information on here). I was delighted so, a month later, I called the post room to find out how many books I was allowed to send – but was told that I wasn’t really meant to send it books!! The she said that “he has to order them from a place in London”. I asked if she meant he could order books on his canteen sheet or a similar system and was told no, I have to get them, but not from Amazon but from “the place in London”. I asked for further details and the person asked her colleagues – not a single person there could tell me what this mythical “place in London” was called or what the process was or any information n about it other than it was in London! Her parting comment was that if a book was sent via Amazon it’d probably get through anyway!!!!! So, not to be defeated, I tried sending some more books via Amazon (4 paperbacks). But they were not accepted by the prison and were sent back “undelivered” to Amazon. Last time they were sent as one parcel whereas I think the first time I ordered them as individual books…. So I may try again, just sending one or two as individual books, just to see if they reach him! I think it very much depends on who is on duty when the postman calls….!!!!!!
I am at a bit of a loss as to what you can and can’t send/do and keep getting different responses from various members of staff. Does anyone have the most up to date information for Elmley?
Thanks in advance.