Arkansas inmates can no longer receive physical books, newspapers, etc.

The Arkansas Board of Corrections approved the change, which a Department of Corrections spokesperson said takes effect on Feb. 1. Prison officials said the restriction was needed in order to tamp down on contraband being smuggled into prisons.

Critics say such restrictions, however, severely limit access for people in prison to reading materials since the offerings in prison libraries and on prison-issued tablets can be limited or outdated.

The issue of sending books to inmates came up for me once or twice when I was a used book seller. The person wanting to have a book sent to an inmate needed to come to me, the bookseller, to send the book from my store, along with assurances that it didn't contain contraband.

ETA: wow, thanks to all the contributors here! Searching the phrase "books to prisoners" may be able to get you into contact with a local non profit organization which will likely be up on the latest rules in your state.

In other news, happy 150th birthday to Jack London – author of The Star Rover AKA The Jacket.