You are here
Resources: California
PARC corresponds with and mails a directory of these resources to prisoners, their friends and family members. We are often the first point of contact for people to connect with prisoners' rights organizations, community organizations, prison literature and arts projects, family and visiting resources, health care and legal resources, parole and pre-release resources, and the prison abolition movement.
Download a PDF copy of the November 2024 Edition here.
Please note recent updates since our last publication:
Compassion Works For All has closed (see listing in Religious Programs)
Missouri Prison Books: Now sending to Kansas, Illinois, and Indiana. Is banned in Missouri, since Sept 23, 2024
The Pathfinder Network: correct phone is 503-892-5396
Providence Books Through Bars c/o Paper Nautilus 19 S Angell Street Providence RI 02906
Women’s Book Project 3501 Aldrich Ave. S, Minneapolis MN 55408
PDX Books Through Bars: ships up to 3 books for free to anyone incarcerated in all states except Wisconsin. General topics/genres only. PO Box 11222; Portland OR, 97211
| Resource | Category |
|---|---|
|
California Families to Abolish Solitary Confinement CFASC is dedicated to stopping the inhumane treatment of prisoners within the California penal system, especially those held in solitary confinement. Their ultimate goal is to end the use of solitary confinement. CFASC is primarily an organization working with family members. Serves Californians only. |
Regional Advocacy Organizations, California |
|
CCWP Writing Warriors Writing Warriors Advocacy through Correspondence project establishes supportive relationships between volunteers in the community and people incarcerated at the women's prisons in California. The program is part of a collective undertaking which trains correspondents to promote advocacy for incarcerated people. Writing Warriors volunteers primarily communicate via GTL email but can also correspond thru U.S. mail via the CCWP Oakland office address. Only provides services to California prisons. |
Women's Organizations and Resources, Prison Writing / Arts Programs, California |
|
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund Assistance is generally limited to providing basic disability civil rights informational materials and referrals, with attention to CDCR state prisoners concerning prison condition and medical access. DREDF does not provide assistance with individual disability benefits applications or denial of Social Security Disability benefits. California only. |
Regional Advocacy Organizations, California |
|
Friends Committee on Legislation of California Quaker-founded group that advocates and lobbies for CA state laws that are just, compassionate, and respectful of the inherent worth of every person. Staff can answer questions about legislative matters by phone or letter. Serves Californians only. |
Regional Advocacy Organizations, California |
|
Friends Outside Friends Outside provides services and support to inmates and visitors at each California State Prison. Offers reentry planning for inmates near release and prosocial skill building education. For those visiting loved ones, Friends Outside contracts to run Visitor Centers. Visitor Centers provide childcare, transportation for visitors to the prison from area bus and train stations, information and resources, and a restful and welcoming place to stop for a moment before and after visits. Does not usually respond to letters. California only. |
Regional Advocacy Organizations, California |
|
Kindful Restoration Offers group work, courses and programing in California prisons in English and Spanish. Provides assistance in preparing for upcoming parole suitability hearings. Also offers restorative re-entry services. Serves California only. |
Regional Advocacy Organizations, California |
|
Legal Services for Prisoners with Children LSPC publishes manuals, reports, fact sheets and pamphlets for CA prisoners in the following areas: Family Matters (guardianship, visitation, pregnancy); Reentry Services; Prison Conditions (isolation and other), and Divorce Issues. Provides limited individualized legal advice and representation to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated parents. Serves Californians only. |
Regional Advocacy Organizations, California |
|
Life Support Alliance LSA offers a free monthly newsletter, Lifer-Line, and the quarterly California Lifer Newsletter with reviews of the latest published and unpublished state and federal cases concerning parole issues, parole board news, legislation and articles on prison, parole and correctional issues of interest to prisoners and their families. Each issue contains 50 - 70 pages. Subscription rates are: Inmates, $35 per year, $60 for 2 yrs, $90 for 3 yrs. Free individuals, $99 per year, $180 for 2 years. Also correspondence courses on several subjects relevant to parole suitability. Sign up for free newsletter and correspondence courses on the website, www.lifesupportalliance.org. Focuses on the California lifer population, but anyone can benefit from their information. |
Regional Advocacy Organizations, California |
|
Project AVARY Project AVARY offers long-term support and enrichment for children and youth in the San Francisco Bay Area with a parent in prison or jail. The program services include a summer camp, monthly outings, leadership training, and family support. Also coordinates online group mentoring, available to anyone in the country. Write for further details. |
Regional Advocacy Organizations, California |
|
Project Rebound, Cal Poly Pomona Project Rebound is a program to help formerly incarcerated students prepare, apply, enroll and graduate with a degree from Cal Poly Pomona. The program offers academic and financial counseling, peer mentoring and tutoring, and career placement. Serves released Californians only. |
College and Higher Education Courses, Regional Advocacy Organizations, California |
|
Project Rebound, CAL State Fullerton Project Rebound is a program to help formerly incarcerated students prepare, apply, enroll and graduate with a degree from Cal State Fullerton. The program offers academic and financial counseling, peer mentoring and tutoring, and career placement. Serves released Californians only. |
College and Higher Education Courses, Regional Advocacy Organizations, California |
|
Project Rebound, Cal State LA Project Rebound is a program to help formerly incarcerated students prepare, apply, enroll and graduate with a degree from CAL State LA. The program offers academic and financial counseling, peer mentoring and tutoring, and career placement. Serves released Californians only. |
College and Higher Education Courses, Regional Advocacy Organizations, California |
|
Project Rebound, CSU Bakersfield Project Rebound is a program to help formerly incarcerated students prepare, apply, enroll and graduate with a degree from CSU Bakersfield. The program offers academic and financial counseling, peer mentoring and tutoring, and career placement. Serves released Californians only.
|
College and Higher Education Courses, Regional Advocacy Organizations, California |
|
Project Rebound, CSU Northridge Project Rebound is a program to help formerly incarcerated students prepare, apply, enroll and graduate with a degree from CSU Northridge. The program offers academic and financial counseling, peer mentoring and tutoring, and career placement. Serves released Californians only.
|
College and Higher Education Courses, Regional Advocacy Organizations, California |
|
Project Rebound, CSU San Marcos Project Rebound is a program to help formerly incarcerated students prepare, apply, enroll and graduate with a degree from CSU San Marcos. The program offers academic and financial counseling, peer mentoring and tutoring, and career placement. Serves released Californians only.
|
College and Higher Education Courses, Regional Advocacy Organizations, California |
|
Project Rebound, CSU Stanislaus Project Rebound is a program to help formerly incarcerated students prepare, apply, enroll and graduate with a degree from CSU Stanislaus. The program offers academic and financial counseling, peer mentoring and tutoring, and career placement. Serves released Californians only.
|
College and Higher Education Courses, Regional Advocacy Organizations, California |
|
Project Rebound, Fresno State Project Rebound is a program to help formerly incarcerated students prepare, apply, enroll and graduate with a degree from Fresno State University. The program offers academic and financial counseling, peer mentoring and tutoring, and career placement. Serves released Californians only. |
College and Higher Education Courses, Regional Advocacy Organizations, California |
|
Project Rebound, Humboldt State Project Rebound is a program to help formerly incarcerated students prepare, apply, enroll and graduate with a degree from Humboldt State University. The program offers academic and financial counseling, peer mentoring and tutoring, and career placement. Serves released Californians only.
|
College and Higher Education Courses, Regional Advocacy Organizations, California |
|
Project Rebound, Long Beach State Project Rebound is a program to help formerly incarcerated students prepare, apply, enroll and graduate with a degree from Long Beach State University. The program offers academic and financial counseling, peer mentoring and tutoring, and career placement. Serves released Californians only.
|
College and Higher Education Courses, Regional Advocacy Organizations, California |
|
Project Rebound, Sacramento State Project Rebound is a program to help formerly incarcerated students prepare, apply, enroll and graduate with a degree from Sacramento State University. The program offers academic and financial counseling, peer mentoring and tutoring, and career placement. Serves released Californians only. |
College and Higher Education Courses, Regional Advocacy Organizations, California |
|
Project Rebound, San Bernadino Project Rebound is a program to help formerly incarcerated students prepare, apply, enroll and graduate with a degree from CSU San Bernadino. The program offers academic and financial counseling, peer mentoring and tutoring, and career placement. Serves released Californians only. |
College and Higher Education Courses, Regional Advocacy Organizations, California |
|
Project Rebound, San Diego State Project Rebound is a program to help formerly incarcerated students prepare, apply, enroll and
|
College and Higher Education Courses, Regional Advocacy Organizations, California |
|
Project Rebound, San Francisco State Project Rebound is a program to help formerly incarcerated students prepare, apply, enroll and graduate with a degree from SF State University. The program offers academic and financial counseling, peer mentoring and tutoring, and career placement. Serves released Californians only. |
College and Higher Education Courses, Regional Advocacy Organizations, California |
|
Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos The Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos Prison Project is dedicated to providing cultural and spiritual education, support, and hope to incarcerated individuals. The Project advocates for prison policy reform and programs that reduce recidivism, support re-entry, and reunify families. Educational materials are sent nationally in responding to mail requests. Serves Californians only. |
Regional Advocacy Organizations, California |
|
UnCommon Law UnCommon Law supports people navigating California's discretionary parole process through trauma-informed legal representation, mental health counseling, legislative and policy advocacy, and in-prison programming led by those who have been through the process themselves. Legal team is available to respond to resource/intake inquiries over the phone on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. |
Regional Advocacy Organizations, California |