Resources

Take courses and earn a degree through print-based correspondence! ASU-PEP offers Associates's, Bachelor's, and Masters's degrees. Courses through ASU-PEP are $264 per credit hour and the MBA degree is $375 per credit hour. Print-based courses offered as part of the Paralegal I & II, and advanced Paralegal certificate programs have a tuition rate of $948 per course and are offered in collaboration with the Center of Legal Studies (CLS). Please note tuition rates do not include the cost of books. Write for course catalog and application information. Serves people nationally. ASU-PEP is approved to offer Pell grant courses only in select Colorado facilitites.

Publishes Survivors Manual: Surviving in Solitary, by Bonnie Kerness (2012, 94 pages), free to prisoners and $3 for all others. The book is a powerful collection of voices from solitary, as people currently or formerly held in isolation vividly describe their conditions and their daily lives. The collection also includes artwork and poetry. Also available is a free 6-page brochure entitled LGBTQ+ Prisoner Resource Guide (2017). Serves people nationwide.

Nonprofit public-interest law firm providing free legal assistance to people living with HIV and AIDS, including PA prisoners. Also has an office in New Jersey at 709 Haddonfield-Berlin Rd., Voorhees Township, NJ, 08043. English and Spanish spoken. Serves Pennsylvania and New Jersey only.

Run through the Burdock Book Collective, this program fulfills book requests and manages a penpal program for people incarcerated in Alabama prisons. LGBTQA friendly: "As queers and allies ourselves, we aim to provide a space for personal expression and communication free from homophobia and transphobia. Alabama only.

All cases for consideration by AKIP should be submitted by mail to the address above with a brief factual summary of the case and a list of the evidence which might be available to prove innocence. No other documents should be submitted for initial review. AKIP does not accept telephone or e-mail applications.

All of Us or None is a grassroots organizing project of Legal Services for Prisoners with Children. All of Us or None fights for the full restoration of our civil and human rights of formerly-and currently-incarcerated people and families. They are fighting against the discrimination that people face every day because of arrest or conviction history. The goal of All of Us or None is to strengthen the voices of people most affected by mass incarceration and the growth of the prison-industrial complex.

Compiles information regarding prison conditions such as the use of prolonged solitary confinement and other abuses in prison for advocacy purposes; also works on police accountability and ending the death penalty. May not respond to individual letters.

Do you, as a prisoner, feel that there must be some meaning in your prison experience that is still to be discovered? Or that you can give it meaning? If so, you might be interested in Anthroposophy — the path from the spirit in man to the spirit in the universe. Anthroposophy embraces a spiritual view of the human being and cosmos, but its emphasis is on knowing, not just faith. It is a path in which the human heart and hand, and especially our capacity for thinking, are essential. You may write to receive an initial package of literature containing a booklet titled Self-Development In The Penitentiary, as well as other articles and meditation exercises.

Accepts both DNA and non-DNA cases and represents indigent Arizona prisoners whose claims of innocence have gone unheeded. They also conduct post-conviction DNA testing in cases of forcible rape, murder, and non-negligent homicide cases, shaken baby syndrome and arson and other cases where the testing might demonstrate actual innocence. Also works on excessive sentencing cases. Serves Arizona only.

Ashland University Correctional Educational Program (AU-CEPT) partners with state Department of Corrections and local jails to offer online education experiences. Students can choose an associate degree or a bachelor's degree. There is also an online degree option for reentry students. Except in cases where the Department of Corrections issues the devices, Ashland University provides all technology, textbooks and instructional supplies at no cost. States where AU-CEP is operating inside facilities: Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, West Virginia, as well as Washington DC.

Athens Books to Prisoners is a volunteer-run organization that sends free books to prisoners in Ohio only.

Battling the Administration (David J. Meister, April 2014, 566 pages, $24.95 + $5 S&H) is a self-help manual that guides readers through the complex U.S. civil court system, teaches them how to pursue a lawsuit in the face of the constraints imposed by incarceration, and enables a successful outcome for the prisoner's civil rights lawsuit. The book includes extensive case-law citations and advice on organizing, investigating and prosecuting a case. Know your civil rights and how to defend them in court. Has not been updated since 2014, so research what the lower courts have said about the Supreme Court precedents listed; the advice on preparation and writing skills are still very relevant for any prison-based litigator.

A volunteer-run nonprofit sending books to inmates in Mississippi correctional facilities since 2015. Mississippi only.

This project was formed to connect Midwest-based incarcerated trans/gender non-conforming people with other trans/gender non-conforming and allied community member correspondents for friendship.  This project was initially launched to reach out to transgender prisoners who are placed in lock down (administrative segregation), and now accepts requests for correspondents from LGBTQIA2S+ individuals mainly in MN, IA, ND, and SD.

A grassroots, volunteer-run prison abolition project that provides free books upon request to people incarcerated in New Jersey prisons. Please include your name, ID number, facility name, address, and the kind of books you want. Since all of our books are donated, we can't guarantee exact titles (though we do our best). New Jersey only.

Free books across the Eastern Seaboard. Sends to DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA & VA only.

Free book project covering Alabama and Texas. Write with general requests.

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.

Human and civil rights group that investigates conditions in the California SHUs (control/isolation units), organizes and advocates for prisoners' rights, and provides self-help legal materials. Their quarterly newspaper, Prison Focus, is distributed free to SHU prisoners, $8 a year to other prisoners, and $20 a year to all others. Serves California only; will send newspaper nationally.

Non-profit legal and educational organization committed to the creative use of law as a positive force for social change and dedicated to advancing and protecting constitutional rights. CCR recently litigated the Ashker v Governor challenge to solitary confinement in CA. Publishes Jailhouse Lawyers Handbook with National Lawyers Guild. See PARC RECOMMENDED BOOKS at the end of this Directory for more info. Last updated in 2021. To receive a paperbound copy, mail a request to the above address and wait at least 2 months for return. Download chapter, or get an order form to request a Handbook at https://www.jailhouselaw.org/

Accepts cases of actual innocence in the United States, both DNA and non-DNA Cases. Will consider arson and shaken baby syndrome cases. No sentence requirements. All requests must come directly from the person seeking representation.

Advocacy and investigative organization that considers cases of factual innocence primarily in murder and rape cases carrying life or death sentences, but other cases of factual innocence may be considered. They do not take on accidental death, self-defense cases, or cases where the defendant had any involvement in the crime. Prisoners fitting the above criteria may send a letter (four pages or less) outlining the facts of the case, with a summary including the following points: what they were convicted of; brief description of the crime; why they were arrested and taken to trial; what evidence was used to convict; and what evidence there is that points toward innocence.

Our organization sends free Buddhist books to prisoners who request them, answers questions regarding Buddhist beliefs and practice that prisoners may have, and sponsors a free Buddhist Correspondence Course for prisoners. Sends nationally. 

The University of Minnesota Law School’s Clemency Project advocates for individuals serving disproportionately long prison sentences, with the primary goal of obtaining reductions in these sentences. It is an integrated program, involving individual representation, impact litigation, advocacy and research aimed at connecting law students directly to the human realities of mass incarceration. Serves Minnesota only.

Grassroots education nonprofit providing free correspondence courses to incarcerated people covering subjects in science, writing, history, art, and culture. Sponsors can send name, ID number, and mailing address with a request to be put on the waiting list.

All volunteer nonprofit criminal justice advocacy international organization. CURE is recognized as a leading organization making efforts to reduce crime through criminal justice reform.

The Institutions Project represents people confined in Washington's jails, prisons, juvenile detention facilities, mental health facilities, and facilities for people with developmental disabilities. This work has focused on conditions of confinement, discrimination, sentencing and placement, alternatives to institutionalization, and access to courts, as well as issues related to rehabilitation, re-entry, and reductions in recidivism. Serves people in Washington state only.

A coalition that focuses on alternatives to incarceration, prison reform legislative issues, community education, and effective interventions for all of Hawaii’s lawbreakers. CAP’s goal is to educate the community on best practices and proven strategies that preserve human dignity, reform our criminal justice system, and motivate the greater community to take action on these important issues. Serves individuals in Hawai'i only.

Provides monthly Dharma Friends newsletters, and also the following resource lists; Personal Health and Nutrition, 12 Step and Buddhism, Buddhist Resources, Christian Spiritual Resources, Hindu and Yoga Spiritual Resources, Other Spiritual and Psychological Healing Resources, Todd Fletcher's Buddhist Resource List, Ani Tendron's Recommended Buddhist Readings.

Accepts cases of actual innocence in Michigan; DNA cases only; must be in custody; no time requirement. Students assist assigned attorneys with reviewing case files, screening applications, investigating facts, conducting interviews, and analyzing cases. Serves Michigan only.

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. 

CURE-SORT (Sex Offenders Restored through Treatment) has information, resources, contacts, and support to individuals, families, treatment providers, and professionals who work with issues of sexual abuse and its prevention.  CURE-SORT is an issue chapter of Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE). Provides info nationally. We are not a treatment program. We do not provide legal assistance.

DPIC focuses on disseminating studies and reports related to the death penalty to the news media and general public covering subjects such as race, innocence, politicization, costs of the death penalty, and more. Most of their publications are freely downloadable from their website, or available for a small fee in printed format. Request a copy of their “Resource Order Form,” and also a current list of their publications.

Services for individuals with disabilities in Florida only.  Can only support with issues directly related to your disabilities - no other legal advice or support available. Florida only.

Formed in 2007 as a prison abolitionist, anti-authoritarian collective. Write to receive a catalog of anarchist, decolonial, queer liberation, anti-capitalist, black, brown and indigenous-oriented literature (zines), sent free to prisoners in any state. También enviamos literatura gratuita en español.

Vendor of overstock and bargain books, some hardbound and others paperbound (type of binding listed in catalogs). Sends out FREE book catalogs, organized by the following subject areas: Arts & Education; Fiction; Healthy Living; History; Home & Garden; Biography; Cookbooks; Military History; Craft/Needlecrafts; Science & Nature; New Arrivals; and Bargain Books. Serves people nationally.

The 16-page Ex-Offender Re-Entry Services Guide (last updated 1/2020) has been designed to enhance and expand services to ex-offenders in Idaho, and assist in their re-entry into the State's work force. Contains local office information for Idaho Dept. of Labor. Available for download. Only serves people in Idaho. 

Florida Cares Charity is dedicated to improving the lives of the incarcerated through programs, advocacy, education and visitation. The organization offers education on how to effectively communicate with the Florida Department of Corrections Administration. Serves Floridians only.

The Florida Institutional Legal Services Project at Florida Legal Services focuses on systemic reform litigation, community lawyering, and policy advocacy to protect the rights of adults and youth who are incarcerated in prisons, jails, and juvenile justice facilities throughout Florida. The FILS Project publishes the Florida Manual for Incarcerated Parents (2008), which may be downloaded from their website or obtained by writing to the above address. The FILS Project also has reentry information packets available for download that include a list of resources for each county in FL to assist individuals who are returning to their communities from institutions. Only serves people in Florida. 

Foreverfamily is a nonprofit organization committed to empowering children and families impacted by parental incarceration throughout the state of Georgia. Our programs and services focus on fostering positive parent-child relationships and meeting the unique needs of these individuals. We offer comprehensive case management, family strengthening initiatives, and provide a family visitation program to facilitate monthly visits between children and their incarcerated mothers. Serves Georgia only.

This 196-page Mississippi Reentry Guide is intended to provide essential information and resources about services to ex-offenders and those that support them. Their goal is to ensure that those leaving incarceration will have an easier and more successful transition back into their community. The directory includes national, state, and local resources organized by county, region and topic. Available in full online. Serves Mississippi only.

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.

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.

As a comprehensive survey of all criminal procedure in the federal courts. The ARCP is a single issue per year edition that provides readers with objective, concise and accurate overview of criminal procedure and recent case-law decisions in the United States Supreme Court and each of the 12 Federal Circuit Courts. The $25 discounted rate is only honored for orders sent directly to correctional facilities, $85 for standard retail rate. Also offers complimentary copies of older editions to those who are incarcerated that can provide proof of indigence. Ask a friend or loved one to email for the discounted order form, and have them mail it to you or write to the Office of Journal Administration-ARCP for a copy to be mailed directly to you. Please make checks and money orders payable to: Georgetown Law Journals-ARCP. VISA/Mastercard  payments are accepted via fax at 845-267-3478. Refunds are not available for discount orders. Orders are shipped USPS, so please allow up to 4-6 weeks for delivery. Tax must be included if shipping to DC (5.75%), VA (5.0%), MD (6%), NY (7.0%), TN (7% state & 2.25% local). Expect delays; Do not send money order or check without an order form.

Through strategic litigation, public policy advocacy and education, GLAD works in New England and nationally to create a just society free of discrimination based on gender identity and expression, HIV status and sexual orientation. As part of this work, GLAD takes very select legal representation on behalf of LGBTQ prisoners. Has a victory in Sept. 2018 achieving transfer of a trans woman to a women's prison in Maine. Also has a New England centered resource guide. Mostly serves people in New England.

Provides free books to people incarcerated around the US. Write to request specific titles, authors, and or general types of books you're interested in. If we don't have exact titles or authors on hand, we will do our best to send a close match from books available. Serves: federal facilities and CA, TX, and FL state facilities.

The Harvard Prison Legal Assistance Project is a law student clinic providing service to indigent incarcerated people, including advocacy for those charged with violating prison regulations, people appearing before Parole Board and disciplinary hearings, and legal research assistance for those who are currently incarcerated. Because this program is university-affiliated, it may not be staffed during transitional periods in the academic schedule. Collect calls accepted. Provides post-conviction administrative advocacy, not direct pre-conviction litigation. Represents incarcerated people in disciplinary and parole hearings in Massachusetts only; provides legal research for incarcerated folks all over the country.

Hawai‘i Friends of Restorative Justice (HFRJ) envisions a humanitarian justice system that provides processes for hope, healing and rehabilitation. They provide education, training, and program development to help individuals and organizations live cooperatively based on knowledge gleaned over the years. They have trained and hired incarcerated peer educator tutors and help fund higher education after release. They developed an effective re-entry planning process and provide a re-entry guide for Hawai’i. Serve Hawai’i only. 

Our medical librarians are here to help you find answers to your health-related questions and connect you to support resources. We provide scientifically based information to help you make informed decisions about your health and health care. This is a free service open to all. Examples of requests include a general overview of a new diagnosis, treatment options and meditation and mindfulness resources. Please note we cannot take a list of symptoms and offer a diagnosis, nor do we offer advice or recommendations.

HEARD is a cross-disability abolitionist organization that supports deaf/disabled incarcerated people through grassroots advocacy, community organizing, peer support, mutual aid, education, and research. HEARD provides limited direct advocacy support to deaf/disabled incarcerated people, including deaf/disabled defendants who have not yet been convicted. We also provide limited re-entry support for deaf/disabled people returning home from incarceration. HEARD created and maintains the only national database of deaf/disabled incarcerated people. We use this information to guide our advocacy efforts and educate our communities about the urgent concerns that deaf/disabled people face in our legal system, prisons, and with coming home. We are a very small organization and may not respond quickly to letters. Nationwide.

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.

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.

The Human Rights Coalition (HRC) is a network of currently and formerly incarcerated people and their advocates. They are fighting for the abolishment of solitary confinement in Pennsylvania prisons. They also publish the HRC Legal Pamphlet Series, other pamphlets and information letters, and the “PA Prison Directory Action Guide” (2009) (too many pages for them to print & mail, but available for download on their website). The Movement magazine is published quarterly and available online, accepting submissions two pages max. Responds to letters. Serves Pennsylvania only.

Idaho prisoners with at least 5 years remaining on their sentence must write a letter directly for assistance, clearly stating his or her innocence. The project accepts only post-conviction cases from prisoners who do not currently have legal counsel.  They will respond to the letter and let the prisoner know if any further information is needed before making a decision about their case. Do not send any legal documents or originals. Serves Idaho Only.

Reviews cases where the applicant claims to be actually innocent of the crime(s) for which he or she is convicted. Must be substantial new evidence to support a claim of innocence, such as DNA evidence. Must have at least 8 years left on your sentence and not already represented. Cannot take on all applicants. Expect delays, especially during summer. Serves Illinois only.

Serves incarcerated people and their loved ones by offering a rapid response support system to address rights violations and injustices that occur in Illinois jails and prisons for people in immediate danger and ongoing case management. They provide support and intervention in instances of abuse, neglect, and violations of civil and human rights. Services are free to incarcerated community members and their loved ones. Serves Illinois only.

The Incarcerated Individuals Legal Assistance Project (ILAP) is a student run, pro-bono organization that provides free legal research to incarcerated individuals. Under the guidance of an experienced appellate attorney, students aid incarcerated individuals on a variety of legal issues, from post-conviction relief and ineffective assistance of counsel claims to tort claims and family law. Primarily serves Indiana but may be able to assist incarcerated people in other states. 

A very small number of post-conviction cases are accepted where Innocence Matters assumes the role of the lead lawyer, but only if the following criteria are met: Inmate is currently serving time for a Los Angeles County case; is factually innocent; is indigent and is willing to take and able to pass a polygraph; or if inmate has been rejected by the California Innocence Project. Please understand that we have a long waiting list and it will be many months before you hear back from us.  DO NOT SEND CASE MATERIALS!  LARGE ENVELOPES WILL BE RETURNED UNOPENED. Due to the incredibly high volume of requests we receive, there is no guarantee we will handle your case even if you are eligible for our services.

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.

Accepts cases of actual innocence in Florida; DNA and Non-DNA cases. Does not accept federal cases or cases on direct appeal. Also provides transitional and aftercare services to exonerees. Serves Florida only.

The Innocence Project of Texas can only review cases that meet the following tests: The prisoner is claiming actual innocence; the conviction is a felony which took place in a Texas state court; and all direct appeals have been completed. Does not accept requests for assistance via email, phone, or fax. Serves Texas state prisoners only (no federal).

Organization supporting education model that brings together campus-based college students with incarcerated students for a class held inside jail or prison. This is a training center for Inside-Out education programs all across the country. it does not directly teach students. Write to find out if there is an Inside-Out program in your state.

ISKCON Prison Ministry (IPM) donates books about: karma, reincarnation, mantra meditation and bhakti-yoga. These books teach you how to live a godly life and find internal peace and joy, no matter what your external circumstances are.

We have books in English and Spanish. If you need books in another language, please ask us and we’ll see if we can get it for you. In your letter be sure to tell us if you are allowed hardcover or only softcover books, and how many books at a time. We also donate books, CDs (lectures and music) and DVDs, to chapel libraries; you can give our information to your chaplain. If you are allowed to receive CDs yourself, let us know that as well.

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.

JPSI is a Jewish chaplaincy organization that strives to fulfill the Talmudic obligation of all Jews being responsible for each other, along with other religious mandates of their faith. JPSI strives to insure that Jewish prisoners are permitted to practice their faith by providing the advocacy and religious materials to further that goal. Write for a prisoner info form. Follow us on LinkedIn! Serves Jewish prisoners nationally; expect delay in response.

Prospective clients should meet the following criteria: a Kentucky conviction & incarceration; a minimum five-year sentence; a minimum of three years until eligible to go before the parole board or if parole has been deferred, a minimum of three years to the next appearance before the parole board; new evidence of innocence discovered since the conviction which can be investigated; and a claim of actual innocence. Serves Kentucky only.

The Korey Wise Innocence Project (fKWIP) will not take cases in which the defendant already has a lawyer, or is entitled to a lawyer at state expense. The KWIP will take a case only where there is a genuine and provable claim of innocence. The KWIP gets involved only when the traditional methods of appealing a conviction have failed. Only Colorado cases will be accepted (state and federal). Write for a copy  of evaluation criteria.

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. 

Legal Assistance to Minnesota Prisoners (LAMP) provides civil representation to indigent persons incarcerated in Minnesota. Students at the Mitchell Hamline School of Law represent clients from interviews through any trial. Cases include domestic relations, imprisonment-related matters (institutional grievances, parole, and detainers), and the full range of other civil problems including debtor-creditor, wills, contracts, torts, and civil rights issues. LAMP does not handle appeals for inmates to contest their convictions. Serves people in Minnesota only.

Legal Services for Prisoners, Inc., (L.S.P.) is a non-profit group that provides legal services to indigent inmates in Kansas correctional facilities. The program’s goal is to ensure that prisoners’ rights to the courts are met to pursue non-frivolous claims. L.S.P. assist inmates with the unique legal problems which arise out of their incarceration and help to augment the normal Facility Counseling Services. They do not represent inmates for money damages or most other civil matters, but can provide information on who to contact to seek counsel and in some instances how to proceed pro se in such cases. Serves Kansas only.

The Lewisburg Prison Project (LPP) is affiliated with the PA Institutional Law Project (PILP). Together, we provide informational materials, advice, and representation on civil rights matters related to the conditions of confinement (medical, mental health, excessive force, etc.) of those incarcerated in Pennsylvania. We cannot provide legal advice or representation to those with claims that occur outside of Pennsylvania, and we do not assist with criminal matters, habeas cases, sentencing, or parole issues. Also provides informational materials and legal bulletins about prisoners' rights to people incarcerated throughout the United States. Resources available online, or write in for order form and to submit requests. May not answer phone calls. Legal advice only provided in Pennsylvania; other resources nationwide.

The only organization that provides books of their choosing to youth in Illinois prisons. Volunteer-run. Write for a catalog of options.

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.

Write in your book requests by topic or genre, or have a friend print the optional order form from our website and mail to you. Spanish resources available. No law books. Sends books to people who are locked up in jails, prisons, and ICE facilities in Louisiana, Alabama, and Arkansas.

The Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition (MPAC) is comprised of Maine prisoners, their friends and families, and others committed to humane changes in Maine's prison system. They focus on solitary confinement, inhumane conditions of confinement, and reentry services. They may also connect you with other organizations and advocates that can help with support and reentry. Write a letter to PO Box 446, Lisbon ME 04250 or email.  Serves Maine only.

Write for free Qur'an, prayer rugs, and kuffis as well as other books on Al-Islam. Conducts visits in Michigan. Nationwide services.

Accepts cases of actual innocence in Michigan; non-DNA cases only; no sentence requirements. Only accepts cases after a person has exhausted their direct appeals. The prisoner must not be currently represented by counsel and the crime and conviction must have occurred in Michigan.

Middle Ground Prison Reform has been working for Arizona's prisoners and their families since 1983. Their main areas of activity are: 1) public education about the need for criminal justice reform; 2) legislative advocacy on behalf of prisoners and their visitors; 3) litigation to protect and define the rights and responsibilities of prisoners and their supporters; 4) referral to community resources for ex-offenders. They do not publish a hard copy newsletter. Instead, they encourage friends and family of prisoners to visit their website and download and mail copies of pertinent information inside to prisoners. Serves Arizona only. 

Accepts cases of actual innocence in AR, IA, KS, MO, and NE; applicants must have more than 10 years left to serve on their sentence; cannot be currently represented by another attorney except for Iowa applicants; must have exhausted all appeals. Also reviews death penalty cases.

The MPRC is a group of formerly incarcerated people, families with loved-ones in prison, advocacy organizations, and concerned residents demanding that the state of Mississippi immediately reduce the prison population, remove harmful conditions, policies and practices, and restore humanity. Serves Mississippi only.

Missouri Prison Reform is a nonprofit organization that advocates for Missouri’s incarcerated and their families by elevating their voices, advocating for their needs, and exposing harmful policies that undermine our overall goal of harm reduction, healing, and rehabilitation. Their primary focus is on humantarian rights, health care and sentence reform. You can use their online form to let them know of issues you or your loved one has regarding a Missouri Department of Corrections facility, or send a letter to their PO Box. Serves Missouri only.

Wiccan clergy are available to counsel, teach, provide information, and answer questions, by mail and sometimes in person, to incarcerated individuals. We provide assistance to inmates wishing to make Wicca their official religion. Copies of the book, Enchantment Encumbered, are available for $20 (including shipping, and we accept stamps as payment).

NA publishes a wide variety of materials concerning drug addiction and recovery, some of which are expressly produced for persons currently incarcerated, including Behind the Walls. Offers services in many different languages. También ofrece literatura en español, incluyendo Entre Rejas. Has many pamphlets and booklets available for free download from the internet. Ask friends or family to print and send to you directly. If you are looking for meeting locations for parole plans, ask a friend or family member to look on website for listings: http://www.na.org. Provides information nationally. Expect delays due to covid.

Provides sentencing advocacy, capital case mitigation services, parole release advocacy, institutional designation and transfer, and release planning. Will research questions and provide advice regarding the Bureau of Prisons, the administrative remedy process, intensive confinement, RDAP, pre-release programming, home confinement and related issues. Serves federal prisoners nationwide.

The NHCN serves as a hub of resources and information about hepatitis C in prisons and jails, including publishing resources about Hep C treatment in prison and producing educational materials for incarcerated people about hepatitis. The NHCN is a program of the Hepatitis Education Project (HEP), a nonprofit organization based in Seattle, WA. Serves people nationally.

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.

News & Letters is a Marxist-Humanist newspaper published by the News and Letters Committees, an organization of Marxist-Humanists who stand for the abolition of capitalism, whether in its private property or state property form. It is published bi-monthly, and features articles by prisoners and others on the prison struggle. Free to prisoners. Serves people nationally.

The North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission was created by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2006 and is charged with providing an independent and balanced truth-seeking forum for credible post-conviction claims of innocence in North Carolina. The Commission is separate from the appeals process. A person exonerated by the Commission process is declared innocent and cannot be re-tried again. Serves North Carolina only.

Accepts actual innocence cases for people convicted in a Northern or Central California county; DNA and non-DNA cases; no minimum sentence requirements. The applicant must have been convicted in state court of a serious felony. Will consider cases involving faulty forensic science, police or prosecutor misconduct, ineffective assistance of counsel, eyewitness misidentification, false testimony and false confessions. Northern and Central California only.

Accepts cases of actual innocence in Ohio; DNA and non-DNA cases; no sentence requirements. Only serves prisoners in Ohio.

Cases accepted for review: Cases of actual innocence in Ohio; non-DNA cases only; arson cases; Shaken Baby Syndrome cases; child sex abuse cases; all other claims of actual innocence. Serves Ohio only.

The Oklahoma Innocence Project accepts cases of actual innocence in Oklahoma; DNA and non-DNA cases; no sentence requirements. Must have credible evidence of factual innocence and be convicted in Oklahoma state court (no federal convictions). Serves Oklahoma only.

The Oregon Innocence Project's mission is to exonerate the innocent, educate and train law students, and promote legal reforms aimed at preventing wrongful convictions.They provide free legal assistance to inmates convicted in an Oregon court who assert factual innocence, and where there is the possibility of proving innocence. Serves Oregon only.

Pathfinder Press is a publisher whic carries books on the works of revolutionary and working class leaders, in many different languages. Prisoners receive a 50% discount off the cover price, with a flat rate of $2.75 for shipping and handling per order (one or more titles). Write for a free catalog. Serves people internationally.

Since the mid-1970s, PEN America’s Prison and Justice Writing Program (PJW) has supported and amplified the work of thousands of writers who are creating while incarcerated in the United States. Recognizing that the freedom to write in U.S. prisons is a critical free expression issue of our time, PJW leverages the transformative possibilities of writing to raise public consciousness about incarceration and justice, and supports the development of justice-involved literary talent. The annual PEN Prison Writing Awards recognizes exceptional works in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and playwriting/screenwriting with cash prizes, development support through the PEN Prison Writing Mentorship Program, and publication in an annual anthology series. Additionally, by providing free copies of our recently updated handbook, The Sentences that Create Us: Crafting a Writer's Life in Prison (Haymarket Books, 2022), PJW strives to bridge access to the broader literary community. Serves writers nationally.

PILP seeks to deliver civil legal services to the institutional population in Pennsylvania, and was created and designed to meet the needs of low income residents of PA prisons, jails, hospitals, and state centers. PILP also publishes (or provides) free copies of the a number of legal publications.  Write for more info. Most resources only for prisoners in Pennsylvania.

Fights for justice for people in Illinois who have been tortured or physically abused, wrongfully arrested or convicted, unfairly sentenced to death, or targeted as a result of their political beliefs or organizing efforts on behalf of movements struggling for justice and liberation. Serves Illinois only.

PM Press carries counter-culture, anti-prison, and similar titles including The Prison-Industrial Complex and the Global Economy, Let Freedom Ring: A Collection of Documents from the Movements to Free U.S. Political Prisoners, and more. Prisoners receive a 50% discount. No longer offers printed catalog; must view website (asking for outside help if needed) for listings of books. Check your selection against the prison's contraband list as many political books are banned. Serves nationally.

The Prison Books Collective Publishing and Distribution is a books-to-prisoners nonprofit based in Durham, NC. PBC's catalog includes radical essays, guides, games, and Words of Fire, our literary magazine of art and writing by incarcerated people (always accepting submissions). Sends books and zines to any incarcerated men in NC, incarcerated people of all genders in AL, and people incarcerated in federal prisons in DE, KY, MD, TN, VA, and WV. Women in NC should mail the NC Women's Prison Book Project. Zines available to people across the US—write for a catalog.

Publishes a newsletter four times a year for people in prison about health issues like COVID-19, hepatitis C, HIV, diabetes, asthma, depression, PTSD, exercise, nutrition and more. Prison Health News strives to lift up the voices and expertise of currently and formerly incarcerated people. On their website, articles on many health topics are available for download. Write to them for a free subscription. Serves people nationally.

The Prison Law Office litigates and monitors California and Arizona class action lawsuits regarding medical, dental, and mental health services, lack of reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities, use of excessive force, racial discrimination, overcrowding, unsanitary living conditions, prolonged extreme solitary confinement, and due process violations. Also has an extensive set of legal informational handouts. Note: the Office generally does not handle criminal appeals or habeas corpus petitions challenging criminal convictions. Write with your specific questions and they will send you a packet if they have one that applies. Se habla Español. Serves Californians and Arizonans only. Encouraged to write or email rather than call.

All genres of books and literature are available, including LGBTQ+, fiction and non-fiction, social sciences, and educational materials. Limit requests to once every four months. Family and friends can request books online through our website. Resource lists are always available and provided for other similar programs nationwide. Include prison mail rules in your request letter. The total turnaround time is approximately two-three months. Serves nationwide.

The Prisoner Correspondence Project is a solidarity project for gay, lesbian, transsexual, transgender, gendervariant, two-spirit, intersex, bisexual and queer prisoners in Canada and the United States, linking them with people a part of these same communities outside of prison through a direct-correspondence program Letters to PCP in Canada cost $1.15 in US postage. Has pen pals who speak/write French. Serves people nationally.

Prisoner Visitation and Support (PVS) is a volunteer visitation program for federal and military prisoners across the U.S., with special priority given to those on death row, in solitary confinement, serving long sentences, or not receiving regular visits. PVS volunteers visit once a month, with no religious or political agenda, to provide a listening ear to those who need one. Limited visiting for Spanish speaking prisoners. Serves federal and military prisoners only. 

Sends free books to prisoners across the U.S.No Christian or legal books available. Limit requests to once per year, and be patient while they try to find books to match your requests. Inform them of any book restrictions at your prison. PLP is one of PARC's partners - ask them for your next copy of the PARC directory! Serves people nationally except Texas (check out Inside Books Project instead!).

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

Prisons Foundation for more than 20 years provides prison authors and others with free and low-cost services including books on Amazon and elsewhere, literary agent representation, advice on how to legally avoid being placed on the sex offenders registry, advocacy services to pursue grievances, and video production for placement of your story on YouTube. Write Prisons Foundation, 2512 Virginia Ave NW, Suite 58043, Washington, DC 20037; Include SASE for quick reply. Serves writers nationally.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Project Rebound is a program to help formerly incarcerated students prepare, apply, enroll and
graduate with a degree(s) from San Diego State University. Project Rebound offers academic guidance, peer mentoring and tutoring, and referrals to academic and non-academic resources. Project Rebound serves formerly incarcerated individuals from all states.

Project Return equips former offenders with the education, coaching, and support services necessary to gain employment and begin a new life. Project Return conducts pre-release programs in correctional facilities to prepare inmates for their release dates. Offices in Chattanooga (423-609-8986) and Nashville (615-327-9654). Serves Tennessee only.

All-volunter outfit that sends donated books to provide free reading material for incarcerated people nationwide.

Read Between the Bars is an all-volunteer, non-profit collective sending free books since 2007. We do not have law books. Serves people in Arizona only.

Dedicated to providing Ohio prisoners with free books and reading materials. Send requests by subject with priority to individuals incarcerated in Ohio.

Accepts cases of actual innocence in Nevada, Wyoming or Utah; DNA and non-DNA cases; seven or more years left to serve on sentence; must be completely innocent; significant new evidence must be available to prove the prisoner’s innocence.

San Quentin News is a 20-page monthly newsletter written, edited, and produced by prisoners incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison. The SQ News encourages prisoners, staff, or others outside the institution to submit articles, poems, artwork and letters to the editor for possible inclusion. To receive a mailed copy of the SQ News, send $1.61 in postage. This process should be repeated every month for each new edition.

Provides Bible study courses in English and Spanish to people free of charge. Curriculum consists of Bible courses from the Navigators in Colorado Springs, Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, and Emmaus Correspondence School in Iowa. Provides free postage both mailing and return. Serves people nationally.

Slingshot is a quarterly, independent, radical newspaper published in the East Bay since 1988 by the Slingshot Collective. Subscriptions are free to USA prisoners.  Accepts submissions of articles, artwork, calendar items, spots to add to the radical contact list, suggestions for distribution, and thoughts about what they should be doing next. Serves people nationally.

SCHR provides legal representation to people facing the death penalty in Georgia and Alabama only, as well as in cases of unconstitutional conditions of confinement. SCHR also provides free access to a number of publications and handouts, including your free speech rights in prison and Georgia parole handbook. Serves people in Georgia and Alabama only.

Dedicated to disseminating the Siddha Yoga meditation teachings and practices to incarcerated individuals. Sends its free monthly In Search of the Self meditation course with a companion newsletter to interested seekers. Write or call to get signed up. Serves people nationally.

Works on reform projects including ending solitary confinement in Texas, challenging debtor's prison practices, ending tortuous heat conditions, and improving mental health. Does not provide individual representation. Serves Texans only.

Advocacy resources and information for people in county jails and their loved ones. Assists with intervention in acute medical and mental health crises, reporting medical neglect, disability and pregnancy related access and release, and families obtaining medical records release. Will assist in contacting your court-appointed attorney, complaints to the Texas State Bar if you are not receiving robust representation, and referrals to relevant agencies. To get in touch, write a letter or leave a voicemail. Serves Texans in jails only. 

The American Prison Writing Archive (APWA) is a growing public, internet-based collection of non-fiction writing about direct experience with the U.S. prison system. Anyone who has been incarcerated or has volunteered inside can send handwritten or typed pieces. All writing skill levels are welcome. 5,000 word limit. We read and respond to all writing. No reading fees or SASE required. A signed Permissions-Questionnaire (PQ) form is required for writing to be included in the APWA. For more information, or to receive our PQ form, please write to our physical address.Serves writers nationally.

The California Prison and Parole Law Handbook (Heather MacKay & Prison Law Office, 5th Ed, 2019, 1170 pages) is newly updated in 2019! It 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. It is available for download for free online at https://prisonlaw.com/resources/prison-handbook/. Paper copies for people in custody are $20 and $200 for all others. Prices include tax, shipping and handling. The Prison Law Office has a monthly drawing for free copies of The Handbook for people in custody. To be put in the pool, a person should send a copy of their trust account statement showing that they have not had more than $25 in their account in the past six months to Prison Law Office at above address.

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.

Legal clinic reviewing cases of innocence for people who have gone to trial and were found guilty of crimes they did not commit. They consider post-conviction cases from across the nation for individuals wrongfully convicted of different types of crimes and with different sentence lengths, including cases where a defendant has served their complete sentence or pled guilty. They do not consider cases of self-defense. In order to apply for representation, the defendant must be innocent of the crime and the trial must be completed and have resulted in a conviction. Expect delays in the summer. Will consider cases nationwide.

Free investigative and legal services to the convicted innocent of New Jersey who have substantial claims of factual innocence and are willing to cooperate with requests aimed at discovering the truth. Serves New Jersey only.

The MacArthur Justice Center is a nonprofit law firm with locations in Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Washington D.C. It takes on cases regarding police misconduct, solitary confinement, wrongful convictions, and class actions around prison conditions and parole. Now also a law clinic at Northwestern law school. Write to Chicago address for other locations. Serves nationwide. Expect delay or form response.

The Militant is a socialist newsweekly published in the interests of working people in English as well as several pages in Spanish every week. The Militant covers key questions in u.S. and international politics and the struggles of working people. Subscriptions for people in prison are discounted at $6 for six months or $12 for the year. Free subscriptions may be provided based on need. Write for an order form.

A family operated used bookstore that has specialized in mailing books to inmates for 25 years.  Send an S.A.S.E for our information and one page info/order form. This is a bookseller, not a free books program. Please, read the information and instructions on the form before sending a list of books wanted.  They carry new and used paperbacks, magazine subscriptions, calendars, and puzzles. They do not have a catalog, but will work with you to send the books that you want.  Families & Friends can also order online. Nationwide service, but depends on state regulations for receiving books in your state. Nationwide Service, But depends on state regulations for recieveing books in your state.

The Sentencing Project is a national policy research and advocacy organization that works for a fair and effective criminal justice system by promoting sentencing reform and alternatives to incarceration. They produce reports on prison-related topics, including prison populations nationally,  state-by-state data, life sentences, voting rights, and more. May not respond to letters.

TJLP is a collective of radical lawyers, social workers, activists, and community organizers who are deeply committed to prison abolition, transformative justice, and gender self-determination. They provide free, zealous, life-affirming, and gender-affirming holistic criminal legal services to low-income and street based transgender and gender non-conforming people in Illinois (only) who are targeted by the criminal legal system. Serves people in Illinois only.

The Test Positive Aware Network. Publishes Positively Aware, a bimonthly magazine covering HIV/AIDS treatment, research, policy and lifestyle. Also offers articles on many HIV-related topics, including HIV and aging, prevention, and treatments. Offers free subscriptions to prisoners.

The TGI Justice Project works primarily with transgender prisoners and formerly incarcerated transgender people in California, and sends out their “Stiletto Prison Newsletter” and their very informative 72-page “Still We Rise-Prison Resource Guide” to all TGI prisoners. TGI also supports TGI prisoners being released to the San Francisco Bay Area, and are part of a broader movement fighting for racial and social justice. Some services nationwide but more services for Californians. Expect delays in response to letters.

Offers photocopies of case-law citations, law review articles, criminal procedures, etc. to prisoners incarcerated in Louisiana jails & parish or state prisons only. Requests should have specific case cites, docket numbers or article titles, and are limited to one per month and a maximum of 50 pages. Only serves people in LA state prisons or jails; no federal prisoner requests.

Published by Anti-Racist Action - Los Angeles/People Against Racist Terror (ARA-LA/PART) since 1988.  Issues released at least quarterly; 5-6 issues some years. Free to prisoners; subscriptions for non-prisoners are $12 for low income; $20 regular; $30 international/institutional; $50 sustainer. Payable to "Anti-Racist Action" at above address. Back issues may be available.

The University of Baltimore Innocence Project Clinic seeks to identify individuals who have been convicted in Maryland state courts of crimes they did not commit and to provide them with assistance in the investigation of their claims. In appropriate cases, representation will be provided in post-trial litigation efforts to secure exonerations. Accepts cases of actual innocence in Maryland; DNA and non-DNA cases. Serves Maryland only.

Upper Iowa University (UIU) offers a Self-Paced Degree Program, with courses in paper correspondence format that can be completed at a distance without technology. The Self-Paced paper format is structured around written assignments and proctored exams. UIU offers associate degrees in business administration, criminal justice, liberal arts, psychology, and bachelor’s degrees in business administration, criminal justice, psychology, and social science. Write for tuition costs ($990 per course 2024-25 academic year) and information packet. Serves students nationwide.

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.

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.

Wisconsin Books to Prisoners is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that sends books free of charge to state prisoners in Wisconsin. Does not respond to email inquiries. Sends to Wisconsin only.

The Women's Prison Association (WPA) offers a range of services aimed at helping women in the New York City area. Their direct service network is organized in three broad areas; Residential and Family Services; Reentry Services; and neighborhood based services.  Provides transitional planning and education in NY women's prisons, as well as HIV counseling and testing. Serves women in New York state only.