Can I send books from Barnes and Noble instead of Amazon?

Yes, Barnes and Noble works just as well as Amazon for sending books to an inmate. The key requirement at most facilities is not which retailer you use, but that the books arrive directly from the retailer rather than from a personal address. Facilities require this so they can verify the package is coming from a legitimate commercial source and has not been tampered with.

When ordering, use the facility's address as the shipping destination and include your son's full name and inmate ID number in the delivery details so the mailroom can route it to him correctly. It is also worth checking with the specific facility beforehand to confirm they accept books from outside vendors and whether there are any restrictions on format, such as hardcover versus paperback, or subject matter. Some facilities only allow paperbacks, and some have lists of restricted content. A quick call to his case manager or the mailroom can save a returned package.