How Families Can Support Inmates Through Books & Education

When a loved one is incarcerated, it can be difficult to know how to help them in a meaningful way. While phone calls, visits, and letters offer emotional support, one of the most powerful, and often overlooked, forms of support is through books and education. For inmates, access to reading material and learning resources can mean the difference between staying stuck and moving forward.

At SureShot Books Publishing LLC, we believe in the life-changing power of books. For over 30 years, we've helped families send correctional facility-approved books to their incarcerated loved ones, creating pathways to personal growth, rehabilitation, and successful reentry into society.

In this post, we’ll explore how families can support inmates through reading and education, the types of books that can make an impact, and how SureShot makes this process simple, safe, and effective.

Why Education Matters During Incarceration

Many incarcerated individuals have limited access to formal education. In fact, studies show that nearly 30% of U.S. inmates lack a high school diploma or GED. However, education remains one of the most critical tools for rehabilitation and lowering recidivism rates.

Books can:

  • Teach job-readiness and life skills
  • Provide mental and emotional support
  • Offer spiritual growth and healing
  • Help inmates earn educational credentials
  • Build self-discipline and structure

By sending books, families give their loved ones the opportunity to use their time productively and develop the tools needed for a fresh start.

The Emotional Impact of Sending Books

Sending a book isn’t just about education, it’s a powerful act of love and support. It shows the incarcerated individual that someone believes in their ability to grow and change. This can have an enormous impact on self-esteem, motivation, and emotional well-being.

Books can also:

  • Provide a connection to the outside world
  • Create conversation points for calls and visits
  • Encourage personal reflection and emotional healing
  • Help replace destructive habits with productive ones

How SureShot Books Helps Families Send the Right Books

At SureShot Books Publishing LLC, we specialize in inmate-approved books and work directly with families and correctional facilities to ensure smooth and compliant deliveries. We understand the strict mailing rules for prisons, which vary by state and facility, and we make sure every book you send is approved.

Why Families Choose SureShot:

  • 30+ years of experience working with correctional facilities
  • Nationwide delivery to state, county, and federal prisons
  • Wide selection of approved books across all genres
  • Knowledgeable customer support to guide your order
  • Fast, trackable shipping and secure online ordering

Whether you’re looking for books in English, Spanish, or even faith-based or trade-specific topics, we help families find the right book that can support their loved one's journey.

Recommended Types of Books for Inmates

The best books for inmates are those that empower, educate, and uplift. Here are the most impactful categories of books you can send:

1. Self-Help & Motivation

Books in this category help inmates reflect on their lives, build better habits, and stay focused on personal development.

Popular Titles:

2. Job Readiness & Financial Literacy

Education is key to success post-release. Books that teach money management, entrepreneurship, and workforce skills prepare inmates for a better future.

Recommended Titles:

3. Spiritual & Religious Books

Spiritual growth often plays a big role in rehabilitation. Books on faith, forgiveness, and purpose offer strength and clarity during difficult times.

Recommended Titles:

4. Educational & GED Prep Books

These books help inmates complete their education, build literacy, or prepare for certification programs.

Examples Include:

  • GED prep workbooks
  • Basic math and reading comprehension
  • Grammar and writing skills books

5. Fiction for Mental Escape and Creativity

While personal growth is important, reading for pleasure also helps reduce stress, improve mental health, and provide a healthy escape.

Inmate Favorites:

  • The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (available in Spanish too)
  • Urban fiction and thrillers
  • Classic literature like Of Mice and Men or To Kill a Mockingbird

How Education Helps with Reentry

Reentry into society after incarceration is one of the most difficult transitions an individual can face. Education increases the chances of finding stable employment, securing housing, and reintegrating into the community.

Books can teach inmates:

  • How to write resumes and prepare for interviews
  • How to manage money, budget, and build credit
  • The importance of time management and discipline
  • How to rebuild family relationships and trust

Supporting your loved one with the right books now can significantly improve their chances of succeeding after release.

How to Order Books for Inmates with SureShot

Ordering with SureShot Books is quick, secure, and designed with families in mind.

Steps:

  1. Visit: www.sureshotbooks.com
  2. Choose a Book: Browse by category (self-help, education, spirituality, Spanish, etc.)
  3. Enter Facility Info: Add the inmate’s name, ID number, and facility address
  4. Checkout: Our team ensures all orders are compliant with facility rules
  5. Track Your Order: You’ll receive updates when the book ships and delivers

Have questions? We’re here to help!

Contact SureShot Books

Whether you’re sending a motivational book or educational resource, we’re here to make the process easy and meaningful.

Phone: 845.675.7505
Email: jessica@sureshotbooks.com
Website: www.sureshotbooks.com

Final Thoughts: Support That Transforms Lives

When a family sends a book to an incarcerated loved one, it does more than fill time, it plants a seed. That seed can grow into knowledge, transformation, and a successful life beyond prison walls.

Books offer hope. They offer change. And they offer a chance to start over.

If you’re looking for a simple but powerful way to support someone in prison, start with a book.

Shop now at SureShotBooks.com and be part of your loved one’s journey to healing, education, and freedom.