Best Magazines for Inmates in New Jersey: Stay Informed and Inspired Behind Bars

Inmates in New Jersey face limited access to information and entertainment, making magazines a valuable resource. More than just reading material, magazines offer a consistent connection to the outside world, bringing current events, culture, business insights, and inspiration into daily prison life.

For families and friends, sending a magazine subscription is a simple yet meaningful way to support a loved one. With approved vendors like NJ Corrections Bookstore, you can ensure delivery to all NJ correctional facilities while giving inmates something to look forward to each month.

Best Magazines for Inmates in New Jersey

Here are top magazine choices that combine entertainment, education, and inspiration for prison readers:

1. Motor Trend Magazine

Motor Trend Magazine

Motor Trend is widely recognized for its authoritative coverage of the automotive world. It includes in-depth reviews, comparisons, test drives, concept cars, and commentary on future vehicle trends (e.g. electric, autonomous). The high‑quality photography and technical analysis appeal to gearheads and curious readers alike.

Why It Resonates with Inmates:
Many incarcerated individuals have a passion for cars and engines. Motor Trend helps them stay connected to that interest, learning about new models, technology, design, and the mechanics behind the machines. It provides a mentally engaging escape and sparks conversations among inmates who share that interest.

2. Sports Illustrated

Sports Illustrated

Sports Illustrated is a staple in the sports world, offering coverage of major leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB), in-depth athlete profiles, longform feature stories, and cultural commentary on sports. It often includes special editions, photo portfolios, and unique insight into how sports intersect with society.

Why It’s Popular in Prisons:
Sports motivate and unite people regardless of background. Inmates enjoy staying current on their favorite teams and athletes. The profiles and stories of athletic perseverance also offer motivational parallels to their own challenges. It helps them feel part of the larger sports community, and gives them something exciting to look forward to.

3. INC. Magazine

Inc. Magazine

INC. is geared toward entrepreneurs and business enthusiasts. It offers guidance on leadership, innovation, digital strategy, startup challenges, scaling businesses, and lessons from both small and large companies. The magazine also features interviews with founders, case studies, and trend forecasts.

Why It Resonates with Inmates:
Many inmates aim to rebuild their lives post-release, and entrepreneurship is a compelling path. INC. provides real-life examples and actionable ideas. Reading about business challenges and solutions can open minds to new possibilities and financial independence.

4. The New Yorker

The New Yorker Magazine

The New Yorker publishes an eclectic mix: long-form journalism, essays, fiction, poetry, cultural criticism, satire, and profiles. The magazine is known for depth, nuance, and writing that engages both the intellect and imagination.

Why Inmates Value It:
This magazine offers an opportunity for thoughtful engagement beyond the usual. The stories, essays, and commentary challenge understanding and perspective, helping inmates maintain their mental acuity and connection to cultural discourse. It brings high-caliber writing and voices into prison walls.

5. Forbes Magazine

Forbes Magazine

Forbes is a leading source in business culture, finance, investing, technology, and leadership. It publishes rankings, profiles of successful individuals, and commentary on economic trends, startup strategies, and wealth-building.

Why It’s Powerful for Inmates:
For many prisoners, rebuilding finances and gaining independence are priorities. Forbes offers both inspiration and frameworks, they can read about how others succeeded, learn about money management, and explore future opportunities. It reinforces the idea that they can aspire to more.

6. Essence Magazine

Essence Magazine

Essence is a magazine celebrating Black culture, lifestyle, and empowerment. It covers topics like health, fashion, relationships, leadership, and inspiring stories by and for people of color.

Why It Resonates with Inmates:
Its focus on positivity, empowerment, and cultural affirmation makes it a meaningful read for many incarcerated individuals. It fosters pride, community identity, and resilience, offering encouragement and connection through shared stories.

7. Men’s Health

Men's Health Magazine

Focused on physical wellness, nutrition, fitness training, mental health, and lifestyle improvement, Men’s Health delivers articles, workout routines, health reports, and motivational content. It often features expert advice and tips for balanced living.

Why Inmates Appreciate It:
Health and fitness are crucial inside prison. Men’s Health empowers inmates with guidance they can apply in limited-resource settings. It helps them build routines, take care of their bodies, and boost confidence and mental well‑being.

8. Entrepreneur Magazine

How to pitch Entrepreneur magazine

Entrepreneur offers practical advice and insights into launching and growing businesses. It includes case studies, stories of startup founders, market analysis, and strategies for evolving in competitive environments.

Why It’s Relevant for Inmates:
Many incarcerated individuals envision starting over, sometimes via small ventures or side hustles. Entrepreneur gives them real-world roadmaps, helping them turn ideas into action. It inspires proactive thinking about self-sustaining income opportunities.

9. Time Magazine

Time Magazine

Time is a general interest magazine covering politics, global events, science, health, and culture. It’s one of the most recognizable and trusted news outlets with in-depth articles and curated coverage of the biggest stories.

Why It’s a Favorite:
Inmates want to stay connected to the world outside. Time delivers that connection, covering pressing current events, long-term trends, and global perspectives. It makes them feel less detached from society.

10. Esquire

Esquire Magazine

Esquire is a men’s lifestyle magazine that mixes fashion, culture, interviews, and commentary. It covers style, relationships, entertainment, and occasionally deeper essays on social issues and identity.

Why It Resonates:
It blends entertainment and aspiration, offering content that inspires style, confidence, and cultural awareness. It gives inmates something modern and relatable to read about personal growth and culture.

How to Send Magazines to Inmates in New Jersey

Sending magazines to NJ prisons must follow NJ DOC rulesma, gazines must come from approved vendors. That’s where NJ Corrections Bookstore helps.

Steps to Send:

  1. Visit NJ Corrections Bookstore.

  2. Browse the inmate-approved magazines collection.

  3. Add your selected magazines to your cart.

  4. Provide the inmate’s full name, ID number, and facility address.

  5. Place your order, we handle compliance, packaging, and delivery.

Because we know NJ DOC rules, your order will arrive safely and without rejection or delay.

About NJ Corrections Bookstore: 30 Years of Trusted Service

For over three decades, NJ Corrections Bookstore has been the reliable bridge between families and incarcerated loved ones, delivering approved reading materials including magazines.

We are a NJ DOC-approved vendor—which means every order we send meets prison rules. Families don’t have to worry about rejections or confusion; we manage it end to end.

Serving Correctional Facilities Across New Jersey

Our service reaches all correctional facilities in New Jersey, state prisons, county jails, and other DOC locations. Whether your loved one is in East Jersey, Northern State, South Woods, or a county lockup, we ensure your magazine order arrives safely.

From Newark, Jersey City, Camden, Trenton, and beyond, families across the state trust us to bridge the gap and deliver meaningful reading material.

Why Choose NJ Corrections Bookstore for Magazines

Families choose us because we deliver reliability, compliance, and compassion in a package that’s exactly what you need.

  • Over 30 years of trusted service

  • NJ DOC‑approved vendor, ensuring safe delivery

  • A hassle‑free process, we handle everything

  • Wide variety of inmate-approved magazines

  • A mission to help families stay connected and provide inspiration

Contact Us

NJ Corrections Bookstore

We make it easy for families to send approved magazines to inmates in New Jersey prisons, helping loved ones feel informed, inspired, and valued.

Final Thoughts

Magazines are more than reading, they're tools for hope, connection, and growth. Titles like Motor Trend, Sports Illustrated, Forbes, National Geographic, and Essence offer inmates a window to the outside world, spark curiosity, and provide uplifting content.

At NJ Corrections Bookstore, we’ve made it our mission for over 30 years to deliver these magazine subscriptions safely and reliably to all NJ DOC facilities. Give your loved one the gift of connection and inspiration, send them a magazine subscription today.