The California Prison and Parole Law Handbook (Heather MacKay & Prison Law Office, 5th Ed, 2019, 1170 pages) is available for download for free online.  Unfortunately, the Prison Law Office no longer sells or sends out copies of the Handbook. As of January 2024, we are starting to update the Handbook a few chapters at a time. As we finish the updated chapters, they will appear on the CDCR Tablets and we will post them on our website. Any updated chapter will show the date on which it was revised. We currently do not know if or when we will any print paper copies of the Handbook after all of the chapters are updated. 

The Handbook is a comprehensive overview of the laws and policies affecting people in state prisons and on parole in California. Includes extensive discussion of the administrative appeals and court actions that people can use to protect their rights and to seek remedies. 19 chapters, plus resource lists, forms, and sample legal documents. Chapters include: Administrative Appeals; Rights of People in Prison; Cruel and Unusual Punishment, Use of Excessive Force, and Protection from Physical and Sexual Abuse; Classification, Housing and Programs; Prison Rule Violations; Placement in Segregation; Medical, Mental Health, and Dental Care; Determinate Sentences, Restitution, Time Credits, and Release Dates; Life Parole Suitability, Other Board of Parole Hearings Proceedings, Commutations, and Pardons; Detainers and Extradition; Parole and Post-Release Community Supervision; MDO and SVP Commitments; Workers Compensation and Other Benefits; Immigration Issues for People in Prison; Direct Appeals of Criminal Convictions; State Petitions for Writ of Habeas Corpus and Writ of Mandate/Prohibition; Federal Petitions for Writ of Habeas Corpus; Federal Civil Rights (“Section 1983”) Lawsuits; State Tort Lawsuits; and Legal Research, Writing, and Strategies.

A Jailhouse Lawyer's Manual (13th Ed, 2024, 1520 pages, $30) is a handbook of legal rights and procedures designed to inform prisoners of their rights and how use to judicial process to secure these rights on both the federal and state level, with an emphasis on New York State law.  With the needs of currently incarcerated people across the country in mind, the Columbia Human Rights Law Review has endeavored, to the extent feasible, to make the 13th Edition of the JLM useful to all who use it without regard to where they are incarcerated. The JLM covers a wide variety of topics and also includes a directory of legal and social services for incarcerated people around the country. The information on federal actions will be helpful to a person in a federal prison, or pursuing federal claims, no matter where they are located. The law, procedures and forms relating to state actions vary from state to state, however. Where possible, we provide information that is generally applicable, although we often use New York forms and procedures for specific illustrations. We regret that the size and scope of the book prevent us from providing forms and specific procedural information for all states. Nevertheless, people incarcerated outside New York will find the JLM a valuable research tool.  This is a student-run, volunteer organization; they cannot provide legal advice or respond to individual inquiries. 

For incarcerated persons, the 13th Edition of the main JLM is $30.  The Immigration & Consular Access Supplement is $15. Shipping is included in the price. Prices and availability may be subject to change. Make checks payable to "Columbia Jailhouse Lawyers' Manual." Expect at least 8 weeks for your order to arrive before following up.  More information on ordering at https://jlm.law.columbia.edu/order-the-jlm. For non-prisoners, the main JLM is $140 and supplements range from $50-100.  

Sends books free of charge only to prisoners in state or federal prisons in Wisconsin. Only responds to written snail mail requests.

Accepts cases of actual innocence in West Virginia; DNA and non-DNA cases; three or more years left to serve. Serves West Virginia only.

In order to qualify for representation, a prisoner must: Be wrongly convicted of crimes in Washington; be unable to afford counsel; no longer have the right to appointed counsel; have completed the direct appeals process; have at least three years of prison time remaining to be served; have a claim of actual innocence that can be proven through DNA testing or other newly discovered evidence; and have no involvement in the crime whatsoever. Must have been convicted in Washington state to qualify.

Columbia Legal Services (CLS) represents people confined in Washington's carceral facilities, including jails, prisons, juvenile detention facilities, immigration detention, mental health facilities, and facilities for people with developmental disabilities. CLS focuses on class action litigation and policy advocacy that addresses systemic issues related to conditions of confinement, discrimination, rehabilitation, re-entry, and decarceration. Serves people in Washington state only.

Evaluates cases of wrongful convictions if three criteria are met: (1) the inmate must have been convicted of a crime in Virginia, (2) the conviction must be final, and (3) the inmate is actually innocent of the crime of which he or she was convicted. Decision is based on the likelihood of being able to prove innocence, the availability of legal remedies, and capacity. To be considered, send a letter requesting their application packet. Serves Virginia only.

This section of the Vermont Office of the Defender General handles prisoners' rights cases and pardons. Serves Vermont only.

Accepts cases of actual innocence in CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, and  VT in which the prisoner has a claim of factual innocence; no time requirement DNA and non-DNA cases; will consider arson and shaken baby syndrome cases; may consider child abuse cases. Serves New England states, except New York.

Utah Prisoner Advocate Network (UPAN) offers support to incarcerated individuals as well as friends and families through providing education and information about conditions of confinement including housing and medical, and monthly support meetings for families. UPAN does not provide legal support - do not send legal documents. It also publishes a monthly newsletter. The best way to receive the newsletter is to ask family or friends to get on the email list and then print and send you the newsletter directly. If you do not have any family or friends to support, contact UPAN directly. Serves Utah only.