The holiday season is a time for kindness, forgiveness, and family. But when someone you love is incarcerated, Christmas can feel incomplete. The distance, missed moments, and longing for connection often make this time of year difficult. Still, there’s one simple way to bridge that emotional gap, by sending inmate-approved books that inspire hope, faith, and renewal.
At NJ Corrections Bookstore, we’ve helped families across the state send thoughtful, compliant gifts for over 30 years. Books are among the few items allowed by the New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJ DOC), and they deliver comfort, inspiration, and joy when it’s needed most.
In this guide, we’ll share why books are the best holiday gift for inmates, how to send them safely, and our curated list of top books to send to New Jersey inmates this Christmas.
Why Books Make the Perfect Christmas Gift for Inmates
Books do more than fill time, they build minds, soothe hearts, and spark new beginnings. During Christmas, when emotions run deep, books remind inmates of what truly matters: love, forgiveness, and faith.
Here’s why books are the most meaningful Christmas gift you can send to a New Jersey inmate:
-
They inspire reflection. The holidays encourage self-evaluation and gratitude; books nurture that process.
-
They strengthen connection. Each page carries a reminder that someone on the outside cares.
-
They promote rehabilitation. Educational and spiritual books help inmates grow and prepare for reentry.
-
They bring peace. Reading offers comfort and mindfulness during an otherwise stressful season.
-
They’re DOC-approved. Sent through an authorized vendor like NJ Corrections Bookstore, books arrive safely and on time.
Top Books to Send to New Jersey Inmates This Christmas
Below are ten inmate-approved titles that make uplifting, compliant, and meaningful Christmas gifts for inmates in New Jersey correctional facilities. Each one combines faith, self-discovery, and inspiration, perfect for the holidays.
1. The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
A spiritual classic that has guided millions to discover their life’s purpose and deepen their relationship with God. Through 40 powerful chapters, readers find meaning in faith, service, and forgiveness.
Why It’s a Great Christmas Gift:
This book helps inmates rediscover hope and identity through spiritual purpose. Its daily lessons offer structure, peace, and encouragement, qualities that make it one of the most beloved prison reads during Christmas.
2. Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
Frankl’s inspiring memoir details his survival in Nazi concentration camps and his psychological theory that meaning gives life purpose, even in suffering.
Why It’s a Great Christmas Gift:
Inmates relate to its central truth: hope can exist even in hardship. It offers timeless wisdom on endurance and faith, making it one of the most powerful Christmas reads for self-reflection and renewal.
3. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
Based on ancient Toltec teachings, this simple yet transformative book lays out four principles for achieving inner freedom: be impeccable with your word, don’t take things personally, don’t make assumptions, and always do your best.
Why It’s a Great Christmas Gift:
Christmas is a time for forgiveness and peace. This book teaches emotional freedom, helping inmates release resentment and move forward with clarity and strength.
4. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Covey’s globally acclaimed guide to personal growth and success focuses on responsibility, integrity, and discipline.
Why It’s a Great Christmas Gift:
The start of a new year means new goals. This book empowers inmates to build better habits and plan for reentry, practical inspiration wrapped in timeless wisdom.
5. The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X & Alex Haley
Malcolm X’s extraordinary journey from incarceration to influence is one of transformation, self-education, and empowerment.
Why It’s a Great Christmas Gift:
Inmates see themselves in his story of redemption and reinvention. It’s proof that knowledge and self-discipline can create change, the ultimate Christmas message of hope and renewal.
6. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
A fable about a young shepherd’s search for treasure that turns into a journey of self-discovery and faith.
Why It’s a Great Christmas Gift:
Its poetic storytelling and universal message of destiny make it a heartwarming read for the season. It reminds inmates that their dreams still matter, and that hope can be found in every step.
7. Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
Stevenson’s memoir about fighting for justice and mercy in America’s prison system is both emotional and inspiring.
Why It’s a Great Christmas Gift:
This book resonates deeply with incarcerated readers. It offers a message of compassion, forgiveness, and transformation, themes that perfectly match the Christmas spirit.
8. The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown
Brown teaches the power of vulnerability, authenticity, and courage through relatable insights and personal growth tools.
Why It’s a Great Christmas Gift:
For inmates struggling with guilt or shame, this book provides healing. It shows that imperfection doesn’t mean unworthiness, a comforting message during a season of grace.
9. The Book of Joy by Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu
Two global spiritual leaders share a week of conversation about lasting happiness and peace, even amid hardship.
Why It’s a Great Christmas Gift:
Filled with laughter and warmth, it captures the true essence of the holidays, joy, gratitude, and connection. Inmates finish this book feeling lighter, more hopeful, and spiritually uplifted.
10. As a Man Thinketh by James Allen
A timeless motivational work that explores how thoughts shape destiny.
Why It’s a Great Christmas Gift:
Compact yet profound, it encourages inmates to transform their mindset and believe in the power of self-control. It’s short enough to read in a few sittings but deep enough to inspire for life.
How to Send Books to Inmates in New Jersey
The New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJ DOC) only accepts books that are new, paperback, and shipped directly from an approved vendor like NJ Corrections Bookstore.
Here’s how to send books safely and compliantly:
-
Visit NJ Corrections Bookstore.
-
Browse our wide range of inmate-approved books.
-
Add your chosen titles to your cart.
-
Enter your loved one’s full name, inmate ID, and facility address.
-
Place your order, we’ll handle packaging, compliance, and delivery.
Once ordered, we take care of every step to ensure your gift arrives safely and on time for Christmas.
About NJ Corrections Bookstore: 30 Years of Trusted Service
For over three decades, NJ Corrections Bookstore has been helping families and friends send inmate-approved books and magazines to New Jersey correctional facilities.
As a trusted NJ DOC-approved vendor, we guarantee compliance, security, and fast delivery, making your holiday gifting experience worry-free.
Why Families Choose Us:
-
30+ years of experience serving NJ prisons.
-
Fully NJ DOC-approved vendor.
-
We handle everything once you order.
-
Curated selection of motivational, spiritual, and educational books.
-
A mission built on literacy, hope, and human connection.
We treat every order like a personal connection, because we know it is.
Serving Correctional Facilities Across New Jersey
We proudly deliver to all NJ DOC correctional facilities, including:
-
Bayside State Prison
-
East Jersey State Prison
-
Northern State Prison
-
South Woods State Prison
-
Garden State Youth Correctional Facility
From Trenton and Newark to Camden and Atlantic City, families across New Jersey rely on us to deliver approved Christmas gifts that inspire and uplift.
Contact Us
- Phone: 201.559.0592
- Email: info@njcorrectionsbookstore.com
- Website: https://www.njcorrectionsbookstore.com
We make it easy to send inmate-approved Christmas books across New Jersey, safely, quickly, and compliantly.
Final Thoughts
Christmas is about love and redemption, values that books can powerfully convey. For inmates in New Jersey, a well-chosen book can provide hope, healing, and direction at a time when they need it most.
At NJ Corrections Bookstore, we’ve spent over 30 years helping families share that gift of hope through reading. Whether you send a story of faith, courage, or transformation, your book can remind your loved one that brighter days are ahead.
This holiday season, give more than a gift, give inspiration, peace, and love that lasts long after Christmas morning.