Magazine Subscriptions for Inmates: What's Allowed and Where to Order

Updated August 30, 2026

Subscribing to magazine subscriptions for federal inmates is a great way to show someone incarcerated that you care and are thinking of them. In this article I'll tell you how to subscribe, what the BOP actually allows, and where to order without getting taken.

However, if you're thinking about sending your loved one books instead, be sure to read our complete guide on how to order books for federal inmates before making a final decision.

Can inmates receive magazine subscriptions?

Yes. Federal inmates can subscribe to and receive magazines without prior approval, but the magazine has to ship directly from the publisher, a book club, or a bookstore — not from your home address. You cannot forward one yourself, and a copy mailed from your house will be rejected and returned.

What BOP policy actually says about magazines

According to the Bureau of Prisons Program Statement 5266.11, magazines must be shipped directly from the publisher, book club, or bookstore. The BOP states that publications "may be rejected only if they are found to be detrimental to the security, good order, or discipline of the institution."

You can reference the complete policy on the official BOP website here.

The publisher-only rule

Direct Shipment Requirement: "Publications must be shipped directly from the publisher, book club, or bookstore. Inmates may not receive publications from friends or family members."

This means you cannot send magazine subscriptions from your personal address — they must come directly from approved sources like publishers or major retailers acting as bookstores (such as Amazon).

BOP's definition of a "publication" covers a single issue of a magazine, periodical, newsletter, or newspaper, plus brochures, flyers, and catalogs. All of them follow the same rule.

What gets a magazine rejected

Publications are rejected only when a Warden finds them detrimental to institution security, good order, or discipline — or if they'd facilitate criminal activity. In practice that means anything containing:

• Instructions for manufacturing weapons, drugs, or alcohol
• Material that could facilitate criminal activity
• Sexually explicit material that violates BOP standards
• Content that threatens individual or institution security

Rejection is per-issue, not per-title. A magazine that clears in January can be pulled in July if that issue crosses a line.

How many magazines can an inmate have at once?

There is no universal BOP cap on the number of subscriptions an inmate can hold. Each facility sets its own limit through its local supplement. FCI Waseca, for example, allows up to five magazines or paperbacks per day — that's an example of why the specific facility matters, not a universal rule. Check his facility's supplement before ordering a stack.

What happens if a magazine is rejected

Only the Warden can reject an incoming publication. A rejected item is held for 20 days so the inmate can appeal the decision in writing. If the appeal is denied, the publication is destroyed or returned to the sender — the inmate doesn't get to keep it.

PS 5266.11 also states that publications covering gay rights organizations should be admitted unless they threaten institution interests. That's relevant to titles like Curve Magazine, which shows up on most-requested lists and is perfectly sendable under policy.

What magazines can inmates receive?

Most-requested titles

The most popular magazine in prison is XXL. It's a hip-hop and urban culture magazine that covers music news, interviews with artists, and trend analyses. It features exclusive interviews with both established and emerging stars, reviews of new music, and articles on topics like lifestyle, fashion, and sports within the hip-hop community. A signature feature is its annual "XXL Freshman" class, which spotlights the most promising new artists in the genre.

Below is a curated list of popular magazines that are frequently subscribed to and delivered directly to inmates. This diverse selection covers a wide range of interests — from sports and health to music, technology, entertainment, and culture — ensuring there is something to suit every inmate's tastes.

• Sports Weekly Magazine
• Channel Guide Magazine
• Men's Health (Digital)
• Motor Trend Magazine
• GQ Magazine
• TIME Magazine
• National Geographic Magazine
• Car and Driver (Digital)
• People Magazine
• Popular Mechanics (Digital)
• Hot Rod Magazine
• Smithsonian Magazine
• Slam (Digital, basketball focused)
• Us Weekly Magazine
• Entrepreneur
• Word Search Magazine (puzzle magazine)
• Street Trucks Magazine
• Curve Magazine (LGBTQ+ culture and lifestyle)
• The Source Magazine (hip-hop culture and music)
• XXL Magazine (hip-hop music and lifestyle)

Magazines that commonly get rejected

Most mainstream titles get through without issue. The ones that get pulled tend to contain nudity or sexually explicit content, weapon or drug manufacturing instructions, or content the Warden determines threatens institution security. Rejection is per-issue — a title that's fine one month can be pulled the next if that specific issue crosses a line.

Digital editions vs. print

Some vendors offer both print and digital versions. Here's the catch: federal inmates do not have internet access or personal devices, so a "digital" subscription is useless inside. Always order the print edition. If a vendor only offers digital, skip it.

How much do inmate magazine subscriptions cost?

Vendor price comparison

Prices vary by title, length, and vendor. Here's what I found across the sources I recommend:

| Vendor | Price example | Selection size | Ships to federal | How to order | Notes | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | BOPmags.com | Budget bundles | Inmate-focused selection | Yes | Website checkout | Built for inmates; understands the process | | Discount Mag | Varies by title | 7,500+ titles | Yes | Website checkout | Largest selection; risk-free guarantee | | MagazineLine | Below newsstand rate | Broad, all categories | Yes | Website checkout | Triple Guarantee: price, quality, cash refund | | Amazon | Varies by title | Massive | Yes (as bookstore) | Inmate address at checkout | Ships from third-party sellers | | Magazines.com | Varies by title | Broad | Yes | Website checkout | Mainstream subscription site |

Prices and availability change. Verify current pricing on each vendor's site before ordering.

Where to order magazines for inmates

You can order magazines for inmates in federal prison from several sources. These vendors also ship to state prisons. You can also check our list of approved booksellers for federal prisons for credible sources.

BOPmags.com

My personal choice for the best place to order magazines for someone in federal prison is bopmags.com. They've been sending magazines to inmates for over a decade and intimately understand the process.

The self-proclaimed "#1 Magazine service for inmates and their families" has some of the cheapest magazine subscriptions I've seen. They offer an extensive list of subscription options with deals built for families on a budget. They don't carry every top title, but they have a really good selection of magazines that actually get delivered.

Discount Mag

Discount Mag (formerly Discountmagazine.com) has the largest selection of magazines that ship to people incarcerated. With over 7,500 best-selling and top-rated magazines, you'll be able to find one they like. It's the easiest risk-free way to buy magazine subscriptions for inmates.

MagazineLine

MagazineLine offers both print and digital versions at prices often lower than the newsstand rate. The company caters to a broad audience with a wide selection across categories like sports, health, entertainment, and lifestyle.

MagazineLine also features a Triple Guarantee that includes price protection, quality assurance, and a cash refund if you're unhappy with your service.

Amazon

Amazon works as a bookstore for inmate subscriptions — just make sure the magazine ships from the seller (not Amazon's warehouse as a forwarded gift) and that you use the inmate's facility address at checkout. Not every Amazon seller ships to prisons, so check before you pay.

Magazines.com

Magazines.com is another mainstream subscription site that ships to facilities. Selection is broad and prices are competitive, but you still need to enter the facility address and inmate register number at checkout — same rules as every other vendor.

How to avoid inmate magazine subscription scams

What the FTC found

In 2021, the FTC and the Florida Attorney General shut down Inmate Magazine Service, a company that sold subscriptions to prisoners and their families promising delivery within 120 days. Many never arrived or arrived late, and customers couldn't reach the company for refunds.

The owner, Roy Snowden, was permanently banned from selling or marketing magazine subscriptions and hit with a $2.2 million judgment. The FTC later mailed over $2 million back to affected consumers. You can read the FTC press release here.

The FTC also publishes a standing consumer alert titled "Dishonest magazine companies target inmates". Read it before you pay anyone.

Red flags to check before you pay

• No physical address listed on the website
• No phone number, or the number goes to voicemail every time
• Delivery windows longer than 90 days
• No refund policy in writing
• Prices that are impossibly low — if it sounds too cheap to be real, it probably isn't
• Pressure to pay by money order only

How to order, step by step

Information you need before you start

When you're ready to place your order, you'll need three things:

1. His full committed name (first and last, exactly as the BOP has it)
2. His eight-digit register number
3. The complete mailing address of his current facility

If any of the three is wrong or outdated, the issues get returned or lost. You can search for a federal inmate to confirm his name and register number before you order.

How long delivery takes

Most subscriptions take 4 to 8 weeks for the first issue to arrive, depending on the publisher's mailing cycle. Magazines ship periodical-class mail, which is slower than first class. If the first issue hasn't shown up after 8 weeks, contact the vendor — don't just wait.

What happens if he transfers mid-subscription

A subscription is tied to a facility address. If he transfers, issues keep going to the old prison — some get forwarded, most don't. The publisher won't know and the BOP won't tell you.

Before ordering, confirm his current facility. If he transfers, update the shipping address before the next issue ships — that's what the BOP Release Tracker facility alerts are for. If you're not sure where he is right now, read our guide on what "in transit" means for inmates.

Does mail scanning affect magazines?

A growing number of federal facilities scan incoming personal mail rather than delivering the original. But publications sent direct from a publisher or bookstore are handled under the publications policy, not personal correspondence — so magazines usually aren't scanned the same way. Practice still varies by institution, so check his facility's current mail procedure.

The BOP SCAN Mail Act (S.1295, 119th Congress) would formalize digital mail scanning across BOP facilities. It has not passed. What matters is what's actually true at his facility right now, not what's proposed.

Frequently asked questions

Can you send magazines to someone in prison?

Yes. Federal inmates can subscribe to and receive magazines without prior approval. The catch is delivery: the magazine has to ship directly from the publisher, a book club, or a bookstore. You cannot forward one from your own address, and a copy mailed from home will be rejected.

What magazines are not allowed in prison?

Publications are rejected only when a Warden finds them detrimental to institution security, good order, or discipline — or if they'd facilitate criminal activity. In practice that means anything with weapon, drug, or alcohol manufacturing instructions, escape material, or sexually explicit content. Rejection is per-issue, not per-title.

How do I send a magazine subscription to a federal inmate?

Order from an approved source — publisher, bookstore, or an inmate magazine service. At checkout you'll need his full committed name, his eight-digit register number, and the mailing address of his current facility. If any of the three is wrong or outdated, the issues get returned or lost.

Related Guides

• How federal inmate email works: text-only, per-minute fee