TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE

TDCJ allows softback books that are in new condition. Hardback books and books in used condition will not be accepted after April 1, 2026.

Inmates have 90 days to provide postage for the book to be forwarded to an alternative location. If postage or an alternative location is not provided, the book will be destroyed.

TDCJ will no longer accept books donated to its facilities. Instead, books should be donated to the Windham School District. Learn more about Windham's book donation process.

Volunteer organizations can donate books to a specific TDCJ inmate. The books must be softback and in new condition.

These changes are in direct response to an alarming rise in contraband smuggled through books. In many cases, contraband is found hidden inside hard covers, bindings, or within used books. All of these are difficult for staff and technology to detect, posing serious safety risks to employees and incarcerated individuals.

Follow these steps to create and connect your ID.me account to TDCJ.

• Go to the Book Portal sign in page
• Select Sign in with ID.me
• 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.

Follow these steps to 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.

Follow these steps to log a book for sending in the TDCJ Book Portal.

• 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.

• Login to the TDCJ Book Portal with your ID.me e-mail address and password.
• Select View My Dashboard
• Filter to find the book
• Review the information on the table or select the title for more information

Yes, all books, magazines, and periodicals are required to be logged in the TDCJ Book Portal.

ID.me is the next-generation digital identity wallet that simplifies how individuals securely prove their identity online. ID.me's technology meets the federal standards for consumer authentication set by the Commerce Department and is approved as a NIST 800-63-3 IAL2 / AAL2 credential service provider by the Kantara Initiative. ID.me is committed to "No Identity Left Behind" to enable all people to have a secure digital identity.

No, you can only have one verified ID.me account. It's tied to you as an individual, similar to having one driver's license or Social Security number. If you think you have multiple accounts, you can troubleshoot here: What to do if you have multiple ID.me accounts

After you complete the verification process for the first time, you'll receive an e-mail from ID.me confirming that your identity has been successfully verified. If you used your existing ID.me login to share your identity information with a new organization, you'll receive a text message from ID.me confirming you used your account to access an organization.

If you have questions about verifying your identity or need help with your ID.me account, visit the ID.me Help Center to submit a ticket.