Prisoners' Legal Services of New York

PLSNY provides free legal services to New York State prisoners - not serving those in jails or federal prison. Pre-release and re-entry program (PREP) assists clients with 6-18 months from their release date. Also publishes Pro Se newsletter six times per year, providing information and analysis on recent developments in NY prison law. To subscribe, send a subscription request with prisoner's name, DIN number, and facility to: Pro Se, 114 Prospect Street, Ithaca, NY 14850. Past issues are downloadable from their website. Offices in Albany, Buffalo, Ithica, and Newburgh - write or call for more info on your local office. Serves New York only.

The Osborne Association

Osborne provides a wide range of direct services to individuals and families affected by the criminal legal system. Our evidence- and experience-based programs are designed to reduce reliance on incarceration, heal the damage and trauma of crime and incarceration, and offer opportunities for transformation for those affected by crime and incarceration. Write for a full list of programs and services. Osborne Association has six locations: in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Newburgh, Troy, and Westchester. Only Serves People in New York.

 

Legal Aid Society Prisoner's Rights Project

The Prisoner’s Rights Project (PRP) protects and enforces the legal rights of New York City and New York State prisoners through litigation, advice, and assistance to individual prisoners. PRP does not deal with criminal cases or sentences or matters related to parole. Request help by phone at (212-577-3300), or their Helpline (888-663-6680) which is staffed Mon-Fri 10am-3pm. Serves New York only.

Legal Action Center

The Legal Action Center (LAC) uses legal and policy strategies to fight discrimination, build health equity, and restore opportunity for people with arrest and conviction records, substance use disorders, and HIV or AIDS. They also help people fight for their right to medication for addiction treatment (MAT) or medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) Primarily serves people in New York state, but sends resources to incarcerated people throughout the US. 

Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison

Hudson Link empowers currently and formerly incarcerated people to realize their academic and economic potential by managing degree-granting college programs and providing essential re-entry support. Established in 1998, Hudson Link has transformed over a thousand lives, helping incarcerated people make a positive impact on their own lives, their families, and communities, resulting in lower rates of recidivism, incarceration, and poverty. Working with nine college partners, Hudson Link provides funding, management, and organizational support for academic programs leading to college degrees at six correctional facilities, including Greene, Green Haven, Shawangunk, Sing Sing, Sullivan, and Taconic. Hudson Link also provides released students with ongoing alumni services, as well as transitional housing through our New Beginnings housing program.

 

Hour Children

Mission is to support incarcerated mothers and their children. Provides resources and services outside and inside New York state prisons only. Also provides services in Spanish (también ofrece servicios en español). Only provides services to New York state prisons.

The Exoneration Initiative

Accepts cases of actual innocence in New York; DNA and non-DNA cases (specializes in non-DNA); no sentence requirements.

Jail and Prison Services at New York Public Library

The NYPL's Correctional Library Services publishes "Connections", the most exhaustive guide and directory of resources in New York City available to help people when they are leaving correctional facilities. The guidebook is free to those incarcerated in New York State prisons and local jails, with mailed copies prioritized for soon-to-be-released individuals. Full PDF available online. Aquí encontrará una traducción al español disponible como un archivo PDF. Personas que están encarceladas pueden solicitar hasta 40 páginas impresas de "Conexiones" a la vez (que se enviarán por carta), escribiendo a: NYPL Correctional Services, 445 Fifth Ave, NY, NY 10016. Serves individuals in New York only.

 

Correctional Association of New York

Founded in 1844, the Correctional Association of New York (CA) is an independent non-profit organization that advocates for a more humane and effective criminal justice system. They visit and assess conditions in prisons across NY state. CA is not able to provide legal assistance or extensive individual advocacy, communication with impacted individuals is logged and analyzed for use in monitoring and reporting. Additionally, CANY on a limited basis and with the consent of an impacted individual, does provide legal referrals, access to informational resources, and administrative advocacy. Serves New York only. 

Cornell Prison Education Program

The Cornell Prison Education Program brings together Cornell faculty and graduate students to teach a free college-level liberal arts curriculum to a select group of incarcerated at several correctional facilities near Cornell University. New York State only. 

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