Approved Vendor
An approved vendor is a company or retailer that a correctional facility has specifically authorized to send publications, packages, or other items to inmates. Facilities typically require that books, magazines, and packages come only from an approved vendor list to prevent contraband from entering through mail. Common approved vendors for books include Amazon and Barnes and Noble online.
What Is Approved Vendor?
Correctional facilities maintain approved vendor lists for publications and packages. Only items shipped directly from these approved sources are accepted. South Carolina, for example, requires books from Barnes and Noble to be purchased online rather than in-store. Books from unapproved sources are rejected and may be destroyed.
Before sending any book or publication to an inmate, check the facility's approved vendor list. Sending through an unapproved source wastes money as the item is typically rejected or classified as contraband without a refund to the sender.
Related Terms
Explore other glossary terms that are closely connected to this topic.
Contraband
Contraband is any item that is prohibited inside a correctional facility.
CommunicationLegal Mail
Legal mail is correspondence between an incarcerated person and their attorney, court, or government agency that is protected by attorney-client privilege and handled differently from regular personal mail.
CommunicationMail Scanning
Mail scanning is a system where incoming physical mail is intercepted at a central processing facility, scanned digitally, and delivered to the inmate electronically or as a photocopy rather than as the original physical letter.
People Also Ask
Related questions families often search for alongside this topic.
What is Contraband?
Contraband is any item that is prohibited inside a correctional facility.
Read full definitionWhat is Legal Mail?
Legal mail is correspondence between an incarcerated person and their attorney, court, or government agency that is protected by attorney-client privilege and handled differently from regular personal mail.
Read full definitionWhat is Mail Scanning?
Mail scanning is a system where incoming physical mail is intercepted at a central processing facility, scanned digitally, and delivered to the inmate electronically or as a photocopy rather than as the original physical letter.
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