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Inmate Book Policy


At the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, safety is our top priority. To stop dangerous contraband, specifically drugs, entering our facilities through books, the agency has implemented numerous updates to its book policy.

Mailing a Book to a Loved One

TDCJ only accepts books that are softback and in new condition. Hardback books or books in used condition are no longer allowed.

To send a book to an individual incarcerated in TDCJ, individuals must create an account with ID.me and log every book or magazine being sent in the Book Portal.

Book Portal

TDCJ Book Portal

After November 15, 2026, any book or magazine that is not registered to a verified user and logged in the Book Portal will not be delivered.

To begin, follow these steps to create and connect your account to TDCJ.

  • Go to the Book Portal sign‑in page
  • Select Sign in with ID.me
  • If you already have an ID.me account: Sign in using your existing account and consent to share your information with TDCJ.

    OR

  • If you need a new account: Create an ID.me account with your personal e-mail and complete identity verification.
  • Important: You may only have one ID.me account. If you need help accessing your existing account, visit the ID.me Help Center.

Once your ID.me account is created and connected to TDCJ, the Book Portal will allow you to log new shipments of books and publications to send to incarcerated individuals or check the status of books submitted.

To Log Books

  • Login to the Book Portal with your ID.me e-mail address and password.
  • Select View My Dashboard
  • Select Add New Shipment
  • Complete the information on the form, including the book title, author, vendor and date ordered
  • Use a TDCJ or SID number to find the inmate who will receive the book
  • Select Search for Inmate
  • Confirm the individual is the correct recipient
  • Select Submit Shipment for Inmate

A confirmation number will appear and you will have the option to register another submission or press “No More Recipients to Add” to return to the dashboard.

The Book Portal also allows you to use the searchable table to check the status of a book. Clicking on the title of the book will provide you with more information about the submission request.

Donated Books

Windham School District manages all book donations from groups and organizations to libraries, chapels and units. For more information about this process, visit the Windham website.

Books that are donated by a volunteer organization to a specific individual can be mailed to the unit but must be softback and in new condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Phone: (936) 437-6336
E-mail: inmatemail@tdcj.texas.gov