TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICETDCJ News
TDCJ to Launch Book Portal October 15 as Part of Enhanced Measures to Reduce Contraband
October 15, 2026
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) will launch its new Book Portal on October 15, introducing a standardized, secure registration system for all individuals sending books or magazines to their incarcerated loved ones. As part of the effort to reduce contraband delivered through publications, individuals will be required to create an account with ID.me and log every book or magazine they are sending to an inmate in the Book Portal.
Although the portal launches on October 15, senders have until November 15 to create an account and begin documenting the incoming books. After November 15, any book that is not registered to a verified user and logged in the Book Portal will not be delivered.
“Protecting the safety and well‑being of every person who works or is confined in TDCJ facilities remains our highest priority,” Texas Board of Criminal Justice Chairman Eric J.R. Nichols said. “The Book Portal is a major step forward in both modernization and increased safety against dangerous contraband.”
The Book Portal was announced earlier this year when the agency updated its book policy to combat illegal narcotics entering its facilities. In April 2026, the agency stopped allowing senders to mail hardback and used books to those incarcerated. Additionally, Windham School District began managing all book donations for TDCJ.
“Since April, we have seen a 73% decline in overdose deaths of those incarcerated in our system,” TDCJ Executive Director Bobby Lumpkin said. “This decrease is a step in the right direction, but there is still work to be done. The Book Portal gives us the extra tools we need to enhance safety and maintain secure operations across the system.”
The portal, modeled after the agency’s visitation system, will allow the agency to connect books sent through the mail to registered, verified users.
“The purpose of the portal is to decrease the amount of illegal narcotics entering the system through books and magazines as it will connect the sender to the publication. If a publication tests positive for a narcotic, we will know who sent it,” TDCJ Chief of Programs Jason Clark said. “Likewise, if a publication is not in the system, we will know it is from an unverified sender and it will not be delivered.”
To learn more about the process of creating an account with ID.me and registering books through the portal, visit the TDCJ Book Portal.
About TDCJ
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) protects Texans by overseeing the state's adult correctional, parole, and probation systems. As one of the largest criminal justice agencies in the nation, TDCJ is committed to public safety, responsible stewardship of state resources and the successful reintegration of individuals under our supervision.
The agency manages 104 prison facilities and 67 parole offices across the state. Through innovative programs, the agency seeks to transform lives for a better Texas and protect the public of our great state.
About ID.me
ID.me is the next-generation digital identity wallet that simplifies how individuals securely prove their identity online. Consumers can verify their identity with ID.me once and seamlessly sign-in across websites without having to create a new sign-in and verify their identity again. Over 156 million users experience streamlined sign-in and identity verification with ID.me at 21 federal agencies, 50 state government agencies, and more than 70 healthcare organizations. More than 600 consumer brands use ID.me to verify communities and user segments to honor service and build more authentic relationships.
