Resources

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 2023 edition linked here.

Resource Category
Abolitionist Law Center

The ALC is a public interest law firm inspired by the struggle of political and politicized prisoners, and organized for the purpose of abolishing class and race based mass incarceration in the United States. To accomplish this goal, the ALC engages in litigation on behalf of people whose human rights have been violated in prison, produces educational programs to inform the general public about the evils of mass incarceration, and works to develop a mass movement against the American penal system by building alliances and nurturing solidarity across social divisions. Only accepts very select cases, primarily in Pennsylvania


Legal Resources
Adams State University Prison College Program

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 $350 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 and are offered in collaboration with the Center of Legal Studies (CLS). Other courses offered through CLS follow the undergraduate tuition rates. Please note tuition rates do not include the cost of books. Write for course catalog and application information. Serves people nationally.


Educational Resources, College and Higher Education Courses
Addictionresource.net

This is a web-based service with reliable information on addiction and rehabilitation, substance abuse, mental health, and treatment. Lists top facilities by city with rigorous research. No facility can submit themselves or pay to be on a list. Includes types of treatment may be most helpful and effective.

 


Educational Resources, Rehabilitation Programs
AFSC Prison Watch Project

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.


Nationwide Organizations and Resources
Aid to Inmate Mothers

Provides services to Alabama’s incarcerated women with emphasis on enhancing personal growth and strengthening the bonds between inmate mothers and their children. Serves women in Alabama only.


Women's Organizations and Resources
AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania

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.


Health Care Resources
Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice

Alabama Appleseed works to achieve justice and equity for all Alabamians, included the incarcerated. They are currently working on a number of advocacy projects for incarcerated folks and also helping people prepare for successful re-entry. Contact them to receive quarterly updates on their research, coalition building, legislative advocacy, and direct action. They also offer pro-bono legal support for certain cases. Serves Alabama only.


Alabama Books to Prisons Project

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."


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs
Alabamians for Fair Justice

Alabamians for Fair Justice is a coalition made up of formerly incarcerated individuals, family members of those currently or recently serving time in Alabama’s prisons, advocates, and civil justice organizations. Join the coalition and receive updates through their website. Serves Alabama only.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Alabama
Alaska Innocence Project

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.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Aleph Institute

The Aleph Institute is a non-profit Jewish organization dedicated to assisting and caring for the wellbeing of members of specific populations that are isolated from the regular community, including prisoners and people institutionalized or at risk of incarceration due to mental illness or addictions. Aleph addresses their religious, educational, and spiritual needs, advocates and lobbies for their civil and religious rights, and provides support to their families at home left to fend for themselves. Jewish prisoners may write to receive free books, regular monthly literature, holiday offerings, and family programs.


Educational Resources, Religious Programs / Spiritual Resources
All of Us or None

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.


Nationwide Organizations and Resources
American Bible Academy

Free English and Spanish Bible correspondence courses for prisoners. All courses are 120 pages in length. Info also available from www.abarc.org


Educational Resources, Religious Programs / Spiritual Resources
Amnesty International

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.


 


Nationwide Organizations and Resources
Anarchist Black Cross Los Angeles

The Anarchist Black Cross (ABC) is on the frontline in supporting those imprisoned for struggling for freedom and liberty with a focus on the overall support and defense of political prisoners and prisoners of war. Write for information on political prisoners and for addresses of other chapters in Bakersfield CA, Inland Empire CA, Orange County, Lancaster PA, Philadelphia PA, and New York City.


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Newsletters and Magazines
Anthroposophical Prison Outreach Project

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.


Educational Resources, Religious Programs / Spiritual Resources
Appalachian Prison Book Project

The Appalachian Prison Book Project (APBP) sends free books and provides educational opportunities to people incarcerated in the Appalachian region. We serve six states: Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. You can request by topic area or title, and we will do our best to find a good book for you.


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs
Arizona Justice Project

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. Serves Arizona only.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Asheville Prison Books

Sends free reading material to folks incarcerated in North Carolina and South Carolina, including county jails, detention centers, state prisons, and federal facilities.  They do not have a catalogue, but try to match requests to books as best they can. Serves people in North Carolina and South Carolina only.


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs
Ashland University Correctional Education

Ashland University serves over 1,000 incarcerated students annually with college curriculum.  The programs are offered to adult prisoners in the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, and juvenile prisoners in the Ohio Department of Youth Services.  A recent emphasis has been placed on the development and delivery of online courses for the correctional programs which do not require live internet access. Serves Ohio only.


Educational Resources, College and Higher Education Courses
Association For Research and Enlightenment

Books about the life and work of Edgar Cayce, prayer, meditation, ancient mysteries, dreams, death and the afterlife, reincarnation and karma, the Bible, universal laws, self-transformation, and prophecy. Prisoners are limited to one book every two months.


 


Educational Resources, Religious Programs / Spiritual Resources
Athens Books to Prisoners

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


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs
Bard Prison Initiative

The Bard Prison Initiative (BPI) creates the opportunity for incarcerated men and women at Bayview, Eastern, Elmira, Green Haven, and Woodbourne Correctional Facilities to earn a Bard College degree while serving their sentences. BPI enrolls nearly 300 incarcerated men and women across a full spectrum of academic disciplines, and offers over 60 courses each semester. To apply, one must have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Admission to BPI is highly competitive — typically there are ten applications for each available spot. Many gain admission after more than one application. The admissions process involves both a written exam and a personal interview. Only serves individuals in select New York State prisons.


Educational Resources, College and Higher Education Courses
Battling the Administration: An Inmate’s Guide to a Successful Lawsuit

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.


PARC Recommended Legal and Educational Prison Books
BBI Media

Offers free subscriptions to prison chaplains and prison libraries at women's facilities. Requests must be submitted on official prison letterhead. Publishes Witches & Pagans and SageWoman.


Educational Resources, Religious Programs / Spiritual Resources
Big House Books

A volunteer-run nonprofit sending books to inmates in Mississippi correctional facilities since 2015. Big House Books doesn’t judge a book by its cover. We believe in literacy for all – including those in our correctional facilities. Mississippi only.


 


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs
Black and Pink

Black and Pink is a national prison abolitionist organization dedicated to abolishing the criminal punishment system and liberating LGBTQIA2S+ people and people living with HIV/AIDS who are affected by that system through advocacy, support, and organizing.  It has 13 volunteer-led chapters, including in Albuquerque, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Missoula, New York City, and Portland OR. Pairs people with pen pals and sends newsletters; new pen pal website at https://blackandpinkpenpals.org. Write for more info and for local chapter information.


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

 


LGBTQI-focused Organizations and Resources
Black and Pink Minneapolis

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.


LGBTQI-focused Organizations and Resources
Blackstone Career Institute

Blackstone’s accredited Paralegal Certificate Program enables students to learn about the law and the paralegal field by studying at their own pace and at their facility. It can be completed in less than a year and provides information that can be put into practice while incarcerated and once released. No computers, proctors, or facility instructors are required. Soft-covered books and materials are used for ease of entry into most institutions. Their Paralegal certificate program includes the 900 clock hours of coursework needed to sit for the Accredited Legal Professional (ALP) exam and/or the Professional Paralegal (PP) certification, or the Certified Legal Assistant/Certified Paralegal (CLA/CP) exam. Write for enrollment information. Currently serves all states.


Educational Resources, College and Higher Education Courses
Books Behind Bars - New Jersey

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.


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs
Books Behind Bars - Virginia

Serves people incarcerated in Virginia only.  Write with requests for up to three books per month.  They will do their best to fulfill all requests, but cannot guarantee specific title availability. 


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs
Books Through Bars

Free books across the Eastern Seaboard. Prisoners may request by topic (not exact title or author), and provide several areas of interest if possible. Sends to DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA & VA only.


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs
Books to Prisoners (Seattle)

Volunteer run, donation-based organization providing free reading materials to incarcerated individuals.  Request by subject or genre. Does not ship to prisons that require all books sent be new.  Write directly to request (does not accept requests by email or phone). Supported by partners Portland Books to Prisoners, Boots to Prisoners Olympia, and Books to Prisoners Spokane.  Serves people nationwide. Long turn-around times mean BTP has difficulties serving people in short-term facilities.


 


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs
Books to Prisons Alabama

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


 


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs
California Coalition for Women Prisoners

CCWP is a grassroots abolitionist organization, with members inside and outside prison, that challenges the institutional violence imposed on women, transgender and non-binary people, and communities of color by the prison industrial complex (PIC). The struggle for racial and gender justice is
central to dismantling the PIC and CCWP prioritizes the leadership of the people, families, and communities most impacted in building this movement. CCWP visits incarcerated people in CA women's prisons and produces a newsletter “The Fire Inside,” free to incarcerated people. CCWP offers a variety of advocacy programs as well. Primarily works with individuals in California but mails the newsletter to people around the country. L.A. Chapter – PO Box 291585, Los Angeles, CA 90029


Women's Organizations and Resources
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
California Innocence Project

Accepts cases only where the conviction occurred in the following Southern California counties: Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura (for all other CA counties, see the Northern California Innocence Project). In addition to DNA cases, they also review cases that may involve witness recantations, changes in science, government misconduct, or ineffective assistance of counsel – so long as there is evidence of innocence to support the claim. Serves people convicted in Southern California counties only.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
California Prison Focus

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.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, California
California's Parole Suitability HEARING SUPPORT

Provides individual assistance in preparing for upcoming parole suitability hearings. Can also assist the support network (family, friends) with information of how to support their incarcerated loved one during the preparation time. Members will review hearing transcripts from past parole board hearings and provide suggestions on how to improve performance before the Board. Serves only individuals in California. 


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. It is different from a traditional pen pal program because it 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
Center for Constitutional Rights

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/


Nationwide Organizations and Resources
Center on Wrongful Convictions - Women's Project

The Center of Wrongful Convictions Women's Project monitors potential cases of wrongfully convicted women across the country, facilitates the sharing of information about such cases, and educates the public about relevant issues. They consider cases in which the person seeking assistance must be in no way responsible for the crimes of which she was convicted, and the trial must be completed and have resulted in a conviction and sentence.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Center on Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law

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.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Center on Wrongful Convictions of Youth

The CWCY is the only innocence project in the country that focuses exclusively on individuals who were convicted or accused of crimes when they were adolescents or younger. They are dedicated to identifying, investigating, and litigating credible innocence claims of wrongfully convicted young people and preventing future wrongful convictions.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Centurion Ministries, Inc.

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.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Chicago Books to Women in Prison

All-volunteer, not-for-profit organization that sends paperback books (including Spanish books) free of charge to women and trans people in prisons nationwide. They send three books in a package. Please provide at least six general options of genre or subject matter. Currently serves state prisons in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi and Ohio, as well as all federal prisons. The only jail they serve is Cook County Jail.


Libros en español también


 


Twitter: twitter.com/chicagobwp/


Instagram: instagram.com/chicagobwp/


 


Women's Organizations and Resources, Free Books Programs
Chuang Yen Monastery

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. Expect delays due to covid.


Educational Resources, Religious Programs / Spiritual Resources
Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE)

CURE organizes prisoners, their families and other concerned citizens to achieve reforms in the criminal-justice system, and has a presence in 24 states. Write for complete listing or addresses of state chapters. Serves people nationally.


Educational Resources, Rehabilitation Programs
Clemency Project

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.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Minnesota
Coalition for Prisoners’ Rights Newsletter

Publishes a monthly newsletter with news about prisoners nationwide and is free to prisoners who send an SASE. They also have a variety of prisoner resource lists available. Back issues from 2009 are online.


Nationwide Organizations and Resources
College Guild

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


Educational Resources, College and Higher Education Courses
Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition

CCJRC publishes a free quarterly newsletter, and a 250-page reentry guide for parolees in Colorado titled Getting On After Getting Out: A Re-entry Guide for Colorado ("Go Guide").  This book provides extensive information to help people prepare for release and successfully reintegrate back into their families and communities.  The cost is $10 + $3.50 S&H. Serves individuals in Colorado only. 


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Colorado
Colorado CURE

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


 


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Colorado
Columbia Jailhouse Lawyer's Manual

A Jailhouse Lawyer's Manual (12th Ed, 2020, 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. It also has published the following supplements: 1) on Louisiana state law; 2) on Texas state law; and 3) on Immigration and consular access, containing information about the immigration law consequences of criminal convictions for people who are not U.S. Citizens. Individual chapters are also available for download.


This is a student-run, volunteer organization; they cannot provide legal advice or respond to individual inquiries. Expect delays in delivery.


For incarcerated persons, the 12th Edition of the main JLM is $30; supplements range from $15-25 by state. Make checks payable to "Columbia Jailhouse Lawyers' Manual." For non-prisoners, the main JLM is $140 and supplements range from $50-100. 


 


PARC Recommended Legal and Educational Prison Books
Columbia Legal Services

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.


Legal Resources
Committee for Public Counsel Services Innocence Program

The CPCS Innocence Program aims to identify and litigate new trial motions on behalf of indigent Massachusetts state defendants who are actually innocent of the crimes of which they have been convicted. They review and litigate both DNA and non-DNA based innocence claims, with special attention to cases involving eyewitness identification evidence, false confessions, and flawed or invalidated forensic science testimony. Write for questionnaire. Do not send original documents. Serves Massachusetts only. 


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Community Alliance on Prisons

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.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Hawaii
Compassion Prison Project

Compassion Prison Project (CPP) creates trauma-informed prisons and communities. We do this through trauma-awareness education and programming. CPP’s Trauma-to-Transformation day-long workshop kicks off a powerful 16-week compassion-based curriculum entitled Trauma Talks. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are addressed and tools are given to support the healing process. Both outside volunteer and in-prison peer-to-peer facilitation reinforce our work. Write for information if you want to receive an ACE information packet, support getting a program into your facility or if you’d simply like to get on a waiting list for a non-romantic correspondent who can provide support and encouragement. We believe in you.


Educational Resources, Rehabilitation Programs
Compassion Works For All

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.


Educational Resources, Religious Programs / Spiritual Resources
Connecticut Innocence Project

Accepts cases of actual innocence in Connecticut; DNA and non-DNA cases. Sentence must include at least a ten year period of incarceration and be no less than five years from estimated release date. There must be some new evidence in the case which would establish innocence. Serves Connecticut only. 


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
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 incarcerated at several correctional facilities near Cornell University. New York State only. 


Educational Resources, College and Higher Education Courses
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 and a more just and equitable society. CA has several working projects, including the Coalition for Women Prisoners, the Drop the Rock Coalition (downsizing the prison system), Release Aging People in Prison Campaign, and the Juvenile Justice Coalition. Only serves individuals in New York. 


Regional Advocacy Organizations, New York
Critical Resistance

CR seeks to build an international movement to end the Prison Industrial Complex by challenging the belief that caging and controlling people makes everyone safe. CR also publishes “The Abolitionist," once a year, printed in both English and Spanish, which is free to prisoners. Previous editions of The Abolitionist are available online at: https://criticalresistance.org/abolitionist/


Nationwide Organizations and Resources
CURE-SORT

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.


Educational Resources, Rehabilitation Programs
DC Books to Prisoners

Request reading material by mail. lease request by prioritized subject and not specific book title (we rely on donations), and list prison restrictions if known. DC Books to Prisons responds to state and federal prisoners in AK, AL, AR, CA, CO, DE, GA, HI, IA, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NM, NV, OH, OK, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV, and WY as well as federal prisoners (only) in AZ and requests from DC residents in federal prisons in all states. Please wait 5 months between requests.


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs
Death Penalty Information Center

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.


Legal Resources, Death Penalty Resources
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. DREDF does not provide assistance with individual disability benefits applications or denial of Social Security Disability benefits. Serves people in California only.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, California
Disability Rights Florida

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.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Florida
Disability Rights Texas

Advocacy for disabled people in Texas, including those in some correctional facilities. Write for handout: Disability Discrimination in Correctional Facilities, or Suing a Government Entity for an Injury. Only serves people in Texas.


Legal Resources
East Bay Prisoner Support

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.


Books, Magazines, and Publishers
Education Justice Project

The Education Justice Project (EJP) is a comprehensive college-in-prison program at Danville Correctional Center in central Illinois. Students earn transferable University of Illinois credit. EJP publishes two reentry guides, Mapping Your Future: A Guide to Successful Reentry in Illinois and A New Path: A Guide to the Challenges and Opportunities After DeportationMapping Your Future focuses on Illinois resources, but much of the information it contains is useful to people in other states. Hard copies are available for free from EJP and it is available for download. A New Path is a guide for people getting deported to Mexico and Central America. It is also available for free and online. Both are published in Engligh and Spanish.


Educational Resources, College and Higher Education Courses
Edward R. Hamilton Books

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.


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Vendors and Publishers
Equal Justice Initiative

Provides legal representation to indigent defendants and prisoners who have been denied fair and just treatment in the legal system. They litigate on behalf of condemned prisoners, juvenile offenders, people wrongly convicted or charged with violent crimes, poor people denied effective representation, and others whose trials are marked by racial bias or prosecutorial misconduct. Mostly works with people in Southern states.


Legal Resources
Ex-Offender Re-Entry Services Guide

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. 


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Idaho
Families Against Mandatory Minimums

Nonprofit organization fighting for fair and proportionate sentencing laws that allow judicial discretion; improved prison conditions; and an increase in compassionate release. May not respond to letters.


Nationwide Organizations and Resources
Family Law Project

Wisconsin Law students work under an experienced family law attorney and clinical professor to represent incarcerated parents and others in their family law matters including divorce, paternity actions, child support, child placement, visitation, guardianship, etc. They also provide pro se information and forms. Serves Wisconsin only.  


Legal Resources
Florida Cares

Florida Cares 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.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Florida
Florida Justice Institute

The Florida Justice Institute (FJI) is a public interest law firm that conducts civil rights litigation and advocacy in the areas of prisoners’ rights, housing discrimination, disability discrimination, and other areas impacting the poor and disenfranchised. This includes cases for persons currently or formerly incarcerated in a Florida prison or jail involving mistreatment while incarcerated, or involving the conditions of the facility. Does not assist with criminal law cases or postconviction cases such as habeas corpus petitions.Only serves people in Florida. 


Legal Resources
Florida Legal Services

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. 

 


Legal Resources
Forbidden Books Library, LLC

Publishes and distributes "The Texas Write Writer's Survival Guides" including THE TEXAS CITEBOOK which contains 1,400+ Texas caselaws on 100 legal topics and has a foreword by the National Lawyers Guild. To receive an order form and more info send SASE.


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Vendors and Publishers
Forever Family, Inc.

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.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Georgia
Fortune Society

The Fortune Society’s vision is to create a world where all who are incarcerated or formerly incarcerated can become positive, contributing members of society. They do this through a holistic, one-stop model of service provision. Their continuum of care, informed and implemented by professionals with cultural backgrounds and life experiences similar to those of their participants, helps ensure each individual’s success. The Fortune Society serves approximately 7,000 individuals annually via three primary New York City-area locations: their service center in Long Island City, and both The Fortune Academy and Castle Gardens in West Harlem. Also publishes The Fortune News twice per year, which is free to those incarcerated in NY. Serves people in New York only.


 

 


Regional Advocacy Organizations, New York
Foundation for the Mid South (Mississippi Reentry Guide )

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. Serves people in Mississippi only.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Mississippi
Freebird Publishers

Offers prisoner titles such as Cell Chef Cookbook, Life With A Record, Start Thinking Outside Prison, Post-Conviction Relief series, Habeas Corpus Manual, and many books, guides, photos, and a wide variety of gifts, all made in the USA. Send a pre-addressed stamped envelope for their packet of color brochures. To see more best to order their 88-page color catalog send $5 and add $5 more for shipping with tracking. Produces Inmate Shopper (current issues always available), which is America's largest book of resources for inmate services plus many other sections of reading and entertainment. PARC recommends the Inmate Shopper because it reviews and rates many businesses that service inmates. Order online, by phone, by text, email or mail by sending a payment for $26.99 (including shipping & tracking) to the address listed. Accepts all facility checks, money orders, credit/debit cards, Venmo at @freebirdpublishers, Cash App at $freebirdpublishers, PayPal.me/freebirdpublishers


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Vendors and Publishers
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 of Iowa Women Prisoners

Friends of Iowa Women Prisoners mission is to bring together those concerned about women in the Iowa correctional system and provide education on how to best advocate on their behalf. They support a variety of programming to incarcertated women and also award scholarships that allow women to take college credit classes while incarcerated. Serves Iowa women only.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Iowa
Friends Outside

Friends Outside provides services and support to visitors at each California State Prison, and are located outside the prison walls but on prison grounds (usually adjacent to the visitor parking lots). Visitor Centers provide childcare, transportation, information and resources, and a restful and welcoming place to stop for a moment before and after visits. Does not usually respond to letters. Only serves people in California. 


Regional Advocacy Organizations, California
George C. Cochran Innocence Project (Mississippi)

The Project currently accepts applications for legal representation from prisoners convicted in Mississippi who believe that they may have a claim of actual innocence.  The Project only reviews cases from central and north Mississippi counties-excluding 30 south Mississippi counties served by the Innocence Project New Orleans (see LOUISIANA listing). The Project only accepts application requests directly from prisoners and only by mail.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Georgetown Law Journal Annual Review of Criminal Procedure

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.


Legal Resources
Georgia Innocence Project

Accepts cases of actual innocence in Georgia; DNA and non-DNA cases; you must have at least five years left on your sentence to serve in prison, or you must be on the Georgia Sex Offender Registry. Serves Georgia Only.


 


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD)

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.


LGBTQI-focused Organizations and Resources
Grant Publications

 Magazine subscription services with years of experience servicing inmates. Send SASE for more information. Order any five (5) magazine subscriptions and get one (1) year magazine subscription for free from specially marked list with (*). Serves people nationwide.


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Newsletters and Magazines
Great Falls Books Through Bars

All volunteer group that distributes books to contribute to the education, entertainment and support of incarcerated people. Will read requests and find the closest matches they can among their book collection.


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs
Great North Innocence Project

Reviews wrongful convication cases where newly discovered evidence is identified and can provide clear and convincing proof of actual innocence. Actual innocence means the defendant played no role in the commission sof the crime. Serves Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota only.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Harvard Prison Legal Assistance Project

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.


Legal Resources
Hawaii Innocence Project

Legal non-profit clinic accepts applications from anyone who has been convicted of a crime occurring in Hawai'i AND is factually innocent of that crime. Applications can be downloaded from the website or can be mailed to you. Serves Hawaii only. Expect delays in the summer and due to covid.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Hawai‘i Friends of Restorative Justice

Hawai‘i Friends of Restorative Justice envisions a humanitarian justice system that provides processes for hope, healing and rehabilitation. They train and hire incarcerated peer educator tutors, offer advocacy training and providing research and education on evidence based practices that rehabilitate, heal and give hope. They also offer re-entry services. Serves Hawai'i only.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Hawaii
Haymarket Books

Haymarket Books is a nonprofit, radical book distributor and publisher based in Chicago. They believe that activists need to take ideas, history, and politics into the many struggles for social justice today. The books they offer reflect their values and are mostly non-fiction. Write to request free books on themes around Black liberation, radical history, women’s liberation, and poetry. Serves people nationally.


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Vendors and Publishers
Health Library (Stanford Health Care)

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.


 


Health Care Resources
Hearts on a Wire

Hearts on a Wire is a grassroots organization working to address the needs of incarcerated transgender people in Pennsylvania prisons. They are a group of trans and gender variant people building a movement for gender self-determination, racial and economic justice, and an end to policing and imprisoning our communities. Offers a free newsletter to incarcerated and detained people. Write to be added to their mailing list. In your letter asking to be added, please tell us something about your relationship to the trans community. Serves transgender people in Pennsylvania only.



LGBTQI-focused Organizations and Resources
Helping Educate to Advance the Rights of the Deaf (HEARD)

All volunteer organization that provides advocacy services for deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind inmates across the nation. HEARD’s mission is to promote equal access to the justice and legal system for deaf defendants, detainees, prisoners, and returned citizens. HEARD created and maintains the only national database of deaf and deaf-blind prisoners and is the only organization that focuses on correcting and preventing wrongful conviction of deaf people. May not respond quickly to letters. Nationwide.


Nationwide Organizations and Resources
Hope Prison Ministry South Dakota

Hope Prison Ministry assists men and women leaving prisons in South Dakota with clothing, housing, transportation, and food to support them in making a new start and re-establishing themselves in society. Offers fellowship and friendship beyond the walls. Serves South Dakota only.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, South Dakota
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.


Women's Organizations and Resources
How to Justice

How To Justice's goal is to provide easy-to-read answers to your questions about your rights in prison, including conditions, medical care, visitation, and rights to communication. Write with general questions. Does not provide legal advice.


 


Nationwide Organizations and Resources
Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison

Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison provides college educations, life skills and re-entry support to incarcerated men and women incarcerated in NY state correctional facilities. Hudson Link also provides wraparound alumni services. Through Hudson Link, degree-granting college programs are offered to prisoners at Fishkill, Sing Sing, Greene, Shawangunk and Sullivan Correctional Facilities for Men and Taconic Correctional Facility for Women, with the following degrees offered: Associates Degree in Liberal Arts, Associate and Bachelor’s Degrees in Behavioral Science, and Bachelor Degree in Organizational Management. Serves New York state only.


 


Educational Resources, College and Higher Education Courses
Human Kindness Foundation Prison-Ashram Project

The Human Kindness Foundation's Prison-Ashram Project sends free books and newsletters to people in prisons and jails all over the U.S., including We're All Doing Time by the late Bo Lozoff. HKF encourages a way of life based upon three common principles taught by the great sages of all religions: Simple living, a dedication to service, and a commitment to personal spiritual practice. Write to request materials in English or Spanish. Limited materials also available to addresses outside the U.S.


Educational Resources, Religious Programs / Spiritual Resources
Human Rights Coalition

The Human Rights Coalition (HRC) advocates for 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). Serves Penn. only.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Pennsylvania
Humanity for Prisoners

Humanity for Prisoners, in collaboration with strategic partners, works one-on-one with people in prison to provide personalized services which empower them to receive support and assistance. Key areas of focus include: navigating the prison system, advocating for healthcare, gaining access to public documents, preparing for parole board hearings, and reconnecting with lost family and friends. Serves Michigan only.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Michigan
Idaho Innocence Project

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.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Idaho Justice Project

Idaho Justice Project elevates system-involved persons in partnership with citizens, nonprofits, justice stakeholders, and government officials to improve Idaho’s justice system using organizing, public education, collaboration, and advocacy. They are focused on reducing the amount of incarcerated people in Idaho and reinvesting the funds to social services that target mental health and drug addiction services. They also support rehabilitation services in prison using evidence-based programs and empower returning citizens to succeed with achievable probation and parole requirements. Serves Idaho only. 


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Idaho
Illinois Innocence Project

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 be represented. Cannot take on all applicants. Expect delays, especially during summer. Serves Illinois only. 


 

 


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Illinois Prison Project

Through advocacy, public education, and direct representation of thousands of needlessly incarcerated people, the Illinois Prison Project brings hope to and fights in community with incarcerated people and their loved ones for a brighter, more humane, more just system for us all. They provide direct representation to people in the Illinois Department of Corrections, train and support attorneys who provide direct representation, and empower incarcerated people and their families to advocate for themselves.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Illinois
Illinois Prisoner Rights Coalition

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.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Illinois
Incarcerated Individuals Legal Assistance Project

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. 


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Indiana
Innocence and Justice Clinic

Cases accepted: Cases of actual innocence in North Carolina; DNA and non-DNA cases; no sentence requirements. Serves North Carolina only.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Innocence Matters

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.


 

 


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Innocence Project (national)

The Innocence Project works to exonerate the wrongly convicted through DNA testing and reforms to the criminal justice system to prevent future injustices. They accept only cases in which DNA testing can prove innocence. Write to request intake form. Accepts applications nationwide EXCEPT from AZ, CA, IL, MI, OH, WI or Puerto Rico.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Innocence Project at the UVA School of Law

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. 


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Innocence Project New Orleans

Accepts cases of factual innocence; must be serving a life sentence or a near-life sentence with at least 10 years left to be served; direct appeal has been denied; cannot afford an attorney; is not serving a sentence on another conviction. Serves Louisiana and South Mississippi only.


 


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Innocence Project of Florida

Accepts cases of actual innocence in Florida; DNA and Non-DNA cases. No sentence requirements. Does not accept federal cases or cases on direct appeal. Also provides transitional and aftercare services to exonerees. Serves Florida only.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Innocence Project of Iowa

Reviews and litigates cases of wrongful conviction in Iowa. It partners with the Midwest Innocence Project and the Wrongful Conviction Division of the State Public Defender of Iowa in its review and litigation of cases. Most likely to take cases that include: DNA evidence; mistaken eyewitness identification; false confessions; convictions due to police, prosecutorial, or judicial neglect or misconduct; unreliable scientific methods, tests, or procedures; false witness testimony; and egregious defense counsel neglect or misconduct. Write for a questionnaire. Serves Iowa only.


 


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Innocence Project of Texas

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).


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Inside Books Project

Sends free books and literature to prisoners in Texas only. Also sends a very informative prisoner resource guide free to prisoners in all states. Free or with donation of 2 loose first class stamps. Please no SASE. Serves people in Texas prisons only.


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs
Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program

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.


Educational Resources, College and Higher Education Courses
Iowa Cure

Iowa CURE is a multi-issue, membership-based organization which brings individuals concerned about the correctional system together to work for change both inside and outside prison walls in order to promote healing or restorative justice within the community. Serves Iowa only.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Iowa
ISKCON Prison Ministry

Sends free material about bhakti-yoga study and practice; books, prayer beads, CDs, MP3s, and incense. We need to know: 1) Which items you are allowed to have, 2) Are you allowed hardbound or only softbound books? 3) Which items can be sent to you directly and which only through the chaplain? The books cover reincarnation, karma, and how to live a simple, godly life, and find internal peace and joy no matter what your circumstances. 


Educational Resources, Religious Programs / Spiritual Resources
Islamic Society of North America

ISNA's vision is to be an exemplary and unifying Islamic organization in North America that contributes to the betterment of the Muslim community and society at large. Sends Qurans and other introductory books on Islamic study to prison libraries and inmates. Ability to send books depends on the prison’s policies. Also publishes a bi-monthly magazine, Islamic Horizons for $24/year. Serves people nationwide.


Educational Resources, Religious Programs / Spiritual Resources
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.  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.


 


Regional Advocacy Organizations, New York
Jailhouse Lawyers Handbook - 6th Ed., 2021

The Jailhouse Lawyers Handbook: How to Bring a Federal Lawsuit to Challenge Violations of Your Rights in Prison


Published jointly by the National Lawyers Guild and the Center for Constitutional Rights, explains how a prisoner can start a lawsuit in federal court to fight against mistreatment and bad conditions in prison. This handbook is a free resource for people in prison who wish to file a federal lawsuit addressing poor conditions in prison or abuse by prison staff. It also contains limited general information about the United States legal system. Has excellent explanation of the Prison Litigation Reform Act. Essential resource for any jailhouse lawyer.  Last updated in 2021.  To receive a paperbound copy, mail a request to the above address and wait at least 2 months for return.  Requests are bundled and sent only several times per year.  If no response after 3 months, write to the National NLG Prison Law Project for a copy: P.O. Box 1266; New York, NY, 10009.


The Handbook is also available downloaded from their website (http://jailhouselaw.org/) Request an outside source to print and mail it to you. List of chapter headings: (1) How to Use the JLH; (2) Overview of Types of Lawsuits and the Prison Litigation Reform Act' 3) Your Rights in Prison; (4) Who to Sue and What to Ask for; (5) How to Start Your Lawsuit; (6) What Happens After You File Your Suit; (7) The Legal System and Legal Research; and Appendices A-N.


PARC Recommended Legal and Educational Prison Books
Jewish Prisoner Services International

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. Serves Jewish prisoners nationally; expect delay in response.


Educational Resources, Religious Programs / Spiritual Resources
Just Detention International

JDI is a health and human rights organization that seeks to end sexual abuse and exploitation in all forms of detention. It publishes a Resource Guide listing service providers in all 50 states that can help incarcerated survivors, as well as a Survivor Packet, which includes Hope for Healing, with contact information for local rape crisis centers and legal aid organizations; and a letter of hope from another prisoner rape survivor. Prisoners may communicate confidentially with JDI using legal mail at the above address. Serves people nationally.


Nationwide Organizations and Resources
Kentucky Innocence Project

Prospective clients should meet the following criteria: a Kentucky conviction & incarceration; a minimum ten-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.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Korey Wise Innocence Project at Colorado Law

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.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Lambda Legal

Lambda Legal carries out its legal work principally through test cases selected for the likelihood of their success in establishing positive legal precedents that will affect LGBT people and those affected by HIV. Lambda Legal recently represented a trans prisoner successfully in a lawsuit against the Texas prison system.


LGBTQI-focused Organizations and Resources
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. 


Legal Resources
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. Serves New York only.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, New York
Legal Assistance to Minnesota Prisoners

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.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Minnesota
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.They also publish A Manual on SSI/SSDI for Prisoners and Their Advocates. Serves Californians only.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, California
Legal Services for Prisoners, Inc.

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.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Kansas
Level

Level provides free printed educational, job training and personal development guides for people in prison anywhere in the US. Send a letter to request content.

 


Educational Resources
Lewisburg Prison Project

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. Legal advice only provided in Pennsylvania; other resources nationwide.



Nationwide Organizations and Resources
LGBT Books to Prisoners

Volunteer-run organization that sends books and other educational materials, free of charge, to LGBT-identified people in prison across the US (except those in TX). Will send books in Spanish (enviar libros en Español). Sends one package of books per year.  Prefers requests by topic/genre, but can occasionally fulfill specific requests. Serves all states except Texas.


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs
Liberation Library

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


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs
Liberation Lit

Abolitionist group of volunteers sending books to individuals incarcerated in Missouri and Kansas only.  Also runs a small pen pal program.


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs
Life Support Alliance

Addresses the needs and concerns of the lifer population and community, and assisting lifers in becoming suitable for parole and articulating that suitability to the Board of Parole Hearings. LSA offers a free monthly newsletter, 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. I would like to add that family members can become members for free and receive our monthly newsletter. Focuses on the California lifer popultion, but anyone can benefit from their information.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, California
Lopez Books

Books to prisoners program serving Washington and Alaska only. Send with general requests by genre and/or topic.


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs
Louisiana Books 2 Prisoners

Sends books to people who are locked up in jails, prisons, and ICE facilities in Louisiana, Alabama, and Arkansas. 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.


 


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs
Loyola Law School's Project for the Innocent

Dedicated to the exoneration of the wrongfully convicted. If a true claim of innocence is provable, clinic students will help draft a habeas petition. Must have case for factual innocence, have exhausted all their appeals, and are no longer represented by an attorney. Serves California only. Expect delays in the summer.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition

The Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition (MPAC) is comprised of Maine prisoners, their friends and families, victims of crime, and others committed to ethical, positive, and humane changes in Maine's prison system. they focus on solitary confinement, inhumane conditions of confinement, and reentry services. Serves Maine only.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Maine
Maoist Internationalist Ministry of Prisons

Maoist Internationalist Ministry of Prisons, MIM(Prisons), is a revolutionary anti-imperialist group fighting criminal injustice, helping prisoners to organize and educate themselves. Sends books to prisoners, and offers prisoners a free subscription to their newspaper. Write to MIM(Prisons) for a free prisoner subscription and to get involved in revolutionary organizing and education projects.


Educational Resources, Religious Programs / Spiritual Resources
Maryland Prisoner's Rights Coalition

Maryland Prisoner's Rights Coalition works directly with incarcerated clients and their families to advocate for individual needs. These services include but are not limited to: healthcare, basic needs, disability rights, assist with guidance through the process and policies within the facility and systemically, access to visitation/phone calls/property etc. Serves Maryland only.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Maryland
Masjid Sunnah Grand Rapids Inmate Assistance Program

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


Educational Resources, Religious Programs / Spiritual Resources
McKinney Wrongful Conviction Clinic

Students represent indigent clients seeking relief from wrongful Indiana convictions in state post-conviction and/or federal habeas corpus proceedings. State cases are accepted in cooperation with the Office of the State Public Defender. Accepts cases of actual innocence; DNA and Non-DNA Cases; will consider arson, Shaken Baby Syndrome, and child abuse cases. Serves Indiana only.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Michigan Innocence Clinic

Accepts cases of actual innocence in Michigan; non-DNA cases only; no sentence requirements. The prisoner must not be currently represented by counsel and the crime and conviction must have occurred in Michigan. 


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project

Free investigative and legal assistance to innocent prisoners convicted in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia who have provable claims of innocence, either by DNA testing or by other newly discovered evidence. The prisoner must not be currently represented by another attorney in his or her criminal case, or have the right to appointed counsel in the case. Write in for questionnaire. District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia only.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Middle Ground Prison Reform

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. 


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Arizona
Midwest Books to Prisoners

All-volunteer collective that sends books, zines, and other reading materials to incarcerated people free of charge. Also available are printed legal resources and customized internet newsletter subscriptions: tell us what you're looking for. We focus on midwestern states but we answer all requests. We also send materials in Spanish / también enviamos materiales en español.


 


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs
Midwest Innocence Project

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 and Iowa applicants must have more than 7 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. Partners with the Iowa State Public Defender Wrongful Conviction Division, if you write to both organizations, expect only one response from the Midwest Innocence Project. Serves Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska only.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Midwest Pages to Prisoners Project

Midwest Pages to Prisoners provides free books and zines to prisoners in these ten Midwest states only: AR, IA, IN, KS, MN, MO, ND, NE, OK, & SD. In your letter, please tell us what type of reading material you are interested in—sharing subjects and genres of interest is most helpful. 


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs
Mississippi Prison Reform Coalition

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.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Mississippi
Missouri Cure

Missouri Cure fights to ensure that prisons are only used for those who absolutely must be incarcerated and that they are used only for the purposes of rehabilitation and education. Missouri Cure is an advcoacy group.They do not offer legal services or representation. You can subscribe to their newsletter by writing in or emailing. Serves Missouri only. 


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Missouri
Missouri Prison Books Program

All volunteer organization that sends free books on request to incarcerated people in Missouri.


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs
Missouri Prison Reform

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. Serves Missouri only.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Missouri
Montana Innocence Project

Accepts DNA and non-DNA cases. Prisoners must have been convicted of a felony crime in a Montana state or federal court; must have completed trial, sentencing and direct appeals; must not currently be represented by an attorney. Priority is given to cases where convincing and corroborating evidence can establish actual innocence. Serves Montana only.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Mother Earth Ministries

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).


 


Educational Resources, Religious Programs / Spiritual Resources
Mount Tamalpais College

Mount Tamalpais College is an independently accredited liberal arts college inside San Quentin State Prison. We offer a 61-unit Associate of Arts degree in liberal arts as well as a college preparatory program in math and writing. We offer 20 college courses each semester, allowing students to complete the coursework necessary for transfer to any California State University or University of California campus. The sole requirement for participation is a high school diploma or GED. No student is excluded based on age, length of sentence, commitment offense, or time left to serve. We charge no fees or tuition and provide all the necessary textbooks, course readers, and school supplies. We only provide education to people based in San Quentin State Prison in California.


Educational Resources, College and Higher Education Courses
Narcotics Anonymous

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.


Educational Resources, Rehabilitation Programs
National Center for Transgender Equality

Advocates for change policies and society to increase understanding and acceptance of transgender people. Its Racial and Economic Justice Initiatice includes work on reforming detention conditions for transgender people in correctional facilities and in immigration detention. In 2019, NCTE published Failing To Protect & Serve, an audit of the policies at the 25 largest police departments and a model policy to help local advicates and law enforcement. Operating remotely in January 2022 and will continue to do so for an undetermined period of time. They are still active during the pandemic but remote status may impact phone and written responses. Will send resources nationwide.


LGBTQI-focused Organizations and Resources
National Center on Institutions and Alternatives

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.


Nationwide Organizations and Resources
National Defense Center for Criminalized Survivors

BWJP is the national non-profit leader at the intersection of gender-based violence and the law. BWJP is organized as a dynamic collection of national policy and practice centers which provide support, education, best practice, and innovation to advocates, systems professionals, community leaders, and policy experts. The National Defense Center for Criminalized Survivors (NDCCS), formerly known as the National Clearinghouse for the Defense of Battered Women, is one of BWJP’s seven National Centers. NDCCS addresses the unique needs of victims and survivors of gender-based violence who have been criminalized as a result of their experiences of being abused. NDCCS does not provide direct legal representation; it works with defense teams of survivors by providing case-specific technical assistance, resources, and support. NDCCS works nationwide.


Women's Organizations and Resources
National Hepatitis Corrections Network

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.


Health Care Resources
National Office of the NLG - Prison Law Project

The National Office of the National Lawyers Guild in New York does not provide lawyers or legal assistance; they offer free membership for jailhouse lawyers, which includes the ability to vote on national resultions and to receive the quarterly publication, Guild Notes. Also publishes Jailhouse Lawyers Handbook with Center for Constitutional Rights. See PARC RECOMMENDED BOOKS at the end of this Directory for more info on how to order. If CCR does not respond to your request for the Handbook in 2+ months, then request from the National NLG.  There is also an online form available at https://www.jailhouselaw.org/ to request a Handbook.


 


Legal Resources
New England Innocence Project

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.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
New Mexico Innocence and Justice Project

NMIJP’s primary mission is to provide assistance and referrals to people wrongfully convicted in our state. NMIJP is an independent organization, and has no affiliation with any other project in New Mexico. They will be opening to review and refer cases soon. In the meantime, please direct questions or concerns to info@nmijp.org. Serves New Mexico only. 


 

 


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
News & Letters

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.


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Newsletters and Magazines
North Carolina Center on Actual Innocence

Accepts cases of actual innocence in North Carolina and South Carolina; DNA and non-DNA cases; will consider arson and shaken baby syndrome cases, and may consider child abuse cases; typically limit to those in custody or with post-conviction restrictions, but exceptions are made. Serves North Carolina and South Carolina only.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission

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.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
North Carolina Prisoner Legal Services

NCPLS provides legal assistance to prisoners in the North Carolina Department of Correction ranging from advice about prisoner’s legal rights to representation in litigation in state and federal court. Cases are accepted based on referrals from attorneys as well as direct requests from prisoners or individuals acting on behalf of prisoners incapable of requesting legal assistance. The organization is divided into three teams of attorneys and paralegals: Post-Conviction, Civil, and Support Services. Serves people in North Carolina only.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, North Carolina
Northeastern University Prisoners' Rights Clinic

This Northeastern University program represents state prisoners in Eastern Mass. through a student clinic with free legal assistance on a variety of serious criminal issues, including disciplinary charges, parole applications, parole revocation and more. Active during school year only (expect delays during the summer). Serves people in Mass only.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Massachusetts
Northern California Innocence Project

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.


 


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
NYC Books Through Bars

Has a large assortment of fiction and non-fiction, including political and history books, and other educational books. Does not send religious texts. Fills requests from all states except AL, FL, LA, MA, MI, MS, NC, PA, OH & WI, and has a priority for New York prisoners.


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs
Ohio Innocence Project

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


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Ohio Public Defender Wrongful Conviction Project

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.


 

 


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Ohio University Correctional Education

Ohio University offers print-based courses to earn degree or simply take courses. Offers Associates, Bachelors, and Legal Studies Certificate courses. Write for a student inquiry packet and application, or get family/friends to download from the internet and mail directly to you. Offers courses nationally.


Educational Resources, College and Higher Education Courses
Oklahoma Innocence Project

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.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Open Books & the Prison Book Project

The Prison Book Project sends free books to indigent prisoners in Florida prisons. Write with categories of books you would like. Serves people in Florida only.


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs
Oregon Innocence Project

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.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Palmetto Innocence Project

Focuses on claims of actual innocence or contentions of serious injustice in the criminal process exist. Must have at least 3 years left on sentence; conviction/appeals are final; and new evidence of innocence, such as DNA evidence, key trial witness recantation (e.g. change in testimony), or other credible evidence substantially affecting the case result. Serves South Carolina only.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Pathfinder Press

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.


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Vendors and Publishers
Pathway to Freedom Inc.

Pathway to Freedom, Inc. seeks to address the transformation of prisoners' lives through an 18-month pre-release residential program. The program continues for an additional 12 months of mentoring and support once the inmate has returned to the community. Through a holistic service they provide "educational, values-based, pre-release services to prisoners on a voluntary and non-compulsory basis, while preparing them to reintegrate into society and become productive citizens through the use of new and improved pro-social and life skills that will enhance family and social relationships, moral and spiritual development, and employment opportunities." Serves Arkansas only. 


PEN Prison Writing Program

The PEN prison writing program provide hundreds of imprisoned writers across the country with free writing resources, skilled mentors, and audiences for their work. Its program supports free expression, and encourages the use of the written word as a legitimate form of power.  In additional to mentoring, PEN publishes a national list of prison-based creative writing programs, sponsors an annual writing contest, publishes the free book Handbook for Writers In Prison, conducts workshops, and seeks to promote prisoners' work publicly through literary publications and readings. Serves writers nationally.


Educational Resources, Prison Writing / Arts Programs
Pennsylvania Innocence Project

The Pennsylvania Innocence Project only takes on cases from factually innocent individuals who have been wrongfully convicted and exhausted their appeals. The Project takes on cases with or without DNA evidence, and will consider arson, shaken baby syndrome, and child abuse cases. Only serves people convicted in Pennsylvania.


 


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project

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.


Legal Resources
Pennsylvania Prison Society

PPS offers resources to Pennsylvania prisoners in the form of an official visiting program to help people in custody with issues they may be experiencing while in confinement, a free resource program where information requested is sent via mail, and re-entry services, including mentoring and referrals. It also publishes “Graterfriends,” a newsletter published 6 times a year by and for incarcerated people with issues relevant to them ($3.00 for an annual prisoner subscription). Only serves PA state and county facilities; newsletter and resource program available to all.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Pennsylvania
People’s Law Office

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.


Legal Resources
Pittsburgh Prison Book Project

All-volunteer non-profit organization that sends free educational books and quality reading material to people incarcerated in Pennsyvlania. pFormerly Book 'Em. Request books by subject/genre (they usually can't fill specific book requests by title).  Pennsylvania only.


 


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs
PM Press

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.


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Vendors and Publishers
Prison Book Program

Sends free books and print resources to people in prisons and jails in all 50 states. Offers a free National Prisoner Resource List and a free legal primer (We The People). Three book shipments per person per year. Requests typically take 60-90 days to fill. Serves people nationally, with the exception of some individual facilities and state systems which do not permit free books or only permit books from Amazon, Hamilton, etc.


 


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs
Prison Books Collective Publishing and Distribution

The Prison Books Collective Publishing and Distribution is a books-to-prisoners nonprofit based in Durham, NC, that sends books to prisoners in Alabama and North Carolina and maintains an extensive zine catalog available across the US. PBC sends books to incarcerated men in NC and incarcerated people of all genders in AL, sending literature into federal, state, and county facilities. (Women in NC should mail the NC Women's Prison Book Project.) PBC sends zines across the nation; our catalog, available online or by mail, includes radical essays, guides, games, and Words of Fire, our literary magazine of art and writing by incarcerated people, which is always accepting submissions.


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs
Prison Creative Arts Project

Brings those impacted by the justice system together with the University of Michigan community for artistic collaboration, mutual learning, and growth. Its programs include weekly creative arts workshops, exhibitions, a literary journal, and a community of formerly incarcerated creators. Write to PCAP to join the newsletter mailing list and receive its calls for art and writing. Michigan only.


 


Educational Resources, Prison Writing / Arts Programs
Prison Health News

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.


 


Health Care Resources
Prison Journalism Project

Training incarcerated writers to be journalists, so they can participate in the dialogue about criminal legal reform.  Will publish your articles, essays, poems, art and cartoons that incorporate firsthand observations and/or experiences. Our word count is 500 - 1,200 words (ideally 1,000 words or less). No more than ONE STORY or THREE POEMS per submission. Write for full submission guidelines and writing prompts before submitting original work. Expect at least 12 weeks for response.


 


 


Prison Law Office

The Prison Law Office litigates and monitors California and Arizona class action lawsuits regarding medical care, mental health care, and disabled access for prisoners. Also has extensive set of legal informational handouts. 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.


Legal Resources
Prison Legal News

Prison Legal News (PLN) is a project of the Human Rights Defense Center. It is a 72-page monthly journal covering prison related news, summaries of recent case-law decisions affecting prisoners, and analysis from across the country. A one-year subscription is $30 for prisoners, $35 for individuals and $90 for lawyers and institutions. Single copies of current or back issues are $5. PLN also sells many books related to prison issues, including The Habeas Citebook: Prosecutorial Misconduct, Prison Education Guide, The Disciplinary Self-Help Litigation Manual, The Habeas Citebook: Ineffective Assistance of Counsel, and Prisoners' Self Help Litigation Manual. Write for a copy of the book list.


Legal Resources
Prison Library Project

Our volunteer-led mission is to provide incarcerated individuals across the country with free reading resources, emphasizing educational and self-improvement literature.


 


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs
Prison Mindfulness Institute (Prison Dharma Network )

Goal is to provide prisoners, prison staff and prison volunteers, with the most effective, proven tools for rehabilitation, self-transformation, and personal & professional development through mindfulness-based interventions (MBI’s). The Prison Dharma Network works with volunteers who offer meditation inside prisons. Its Books Behind Bars program will mail mindfulness, meditation, and Buddhism to people inside prison. its Prison Dharma Press sells additional books about buddhism and meditation in prison.


Educational Resources, Religious Programs / Spiritual Resources
Prisoner Correspondence Project

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.


LGBTQI-focused Organizations and Resources
Prisoner Express

Prisoner Express News is published every six months and sent free of charge to incarcerated individuals throughout the United States. They are also available for download online. PE also sends books and educational packets as available. Prisoner Express has ongoing programs in creative writing, chess, meditation, journaling and art. Sends to people nationally.


 


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Newsletters and Magazines
Prisoner Visitation and Support

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. 


 

 


Nationwide Organizations and Resources
Prisoner's Rights Information System of Maryland

The Prisoner’s Rights Information System of Maryland (PRISM) assists current inmates of Maryland state prisons with their 8th Amendment rights, and offers representation or advice to state prisoners in civil rights matters and certain state habeas corpus or inmate grievance office cases. They also handle sentence calculation problems, lack of medical care or improper living conditions, violation of constitutional rights of religion, association, etc. PRISM will provide representation and legal assistance only in cases dealing with the status of conviction and actions under 42 U.S.C., Section 1983, to challenge conditions of confinement. This includes legal services for representation in select cases at Inmate Grievance Office hearings and appeals when the grievance involves a civil rights or constitutional issue, assistance with problems concerning prison conditions or administration (e.g., disciplinary actions, medical complaints, mistreatment, etc.), problems related to parole, and problems related to sentences such as sentence computation, diminution of confinement credits, etc. PRISM does not provide representation in criminal, domestic and civil court actions. To connect with PRISM, incarcerated peopele should mail the P.O. Box address. Serves Maryland only.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Maryland
Prisoners Literature Project

All-volunteer grassroots organization that sends free books to prisoners across the U.S. Please request types of books, not specific titles. They do not carry Christian books or legal texts. Please 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!).


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs
Prisoners' Legal Services of New York

PLSNY provides free legal services to New York State prisoners. Also publishes Pro Se newsletter six times per year for prisoners in New York State prisons, providing information and analysis on recent developments in 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 of Pro Se from 2002-2016 are downloadable from their website. Write for the office near you. We serve NY state prisons only; not county jails or federal prisoners.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, New York
Prisoners' Rights Office

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


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Vermont
Prisoners’ Legal Services of Massachusetts

Prisoners’ Legal Services provides legal representation and administrative advocacy in civil (non-criminal) matters related to prisoners’ treatment in Massachusetts prisons and jails, and upon release on parole. Only serves indigent or poor, current or former Mass prisoners in issues including inadequate medical or mental health care, assaults or violence by staff, unsafe or inhumane conditions in Mass jails or prisons, arbitrary use of isolation, and/or unfair denial or revocation of parole. Serves people in Mass. only.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Massachusetts
Prisons Foundation

Prisons Foundation publishes books written by or about prisoners. Their publishing program includes posting books onto their website for download. They also exhibit art created in prison (see www.SafeStreetsArts.org). Write directly for book submission guidelines prior to sending a manuscript.  The prison author retains full rights to their book, for later placement with a literary agent or commercial publisher if desired. Serves writers nationally.


Educational Resources, Prison Writing / Arts Programs
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. 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
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.


    

 


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
Project Return

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. Serves Tennessee only.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Tennessee
Promise of Justice Initiative

Legal services nonprofit that advocates for humane, fair, and equal treatment of individuals in jails and prison. Publishes a resource guide that includes additional information on organizations to contact for legal representation and advice, as well as other resources that might be helpful. Has a prison conditions project fighting to end the death penalty and solitary confinement in Louisiana prisons. Has litigated issues including medical care at Angola, inhumane heat, and conditions in Baton Rouge Parish prison, and juveniles serving LWOP sentences. Serves people in Louisiana only.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Louisiana
Providence Books Through Bars

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


Queer Detainee Empowerment Project

Part of the Center for Transformative Action. Assists folks coming out of immigration detention in New York in securing structural, health/wellness, educational, legal, and emotional support and services.


LGBTQI-focused Organizations and Resources
Read Between the Bars

Grassroots collective in Tucson sending free books since 2007. Serves people in Arizona federal detention centers only.


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs
RedBird Books-to-Prisoners

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


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs
Reinvestigation Project

Accepts cases of wrongful conviction and actual innocence for felony convictions that were previously assigned to OAD on appeal. Cases are randomly assigned by the court, and consist of indigent defendants who were convicted in the Bronx and Manhattan. OAD’s Reinvestigation Project works on DNA and non-DNA wrongful conviction cases and does not have any sentence requirements. At this time, the Reinvestigation Project is not funded to accept cases that have not been assigned to the office on direct appeal.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Rocky Mountain Innocence Center

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.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Root & Rebound

Focused on reentry services for people released or preparing for release in California and South Carolina only. Offers a 1,211 page Reentry Guide for a $20 fee, and a FREE Reentry Toolkit which is a condensed version of the Reentry Guide containing general legal information about people’s rights in reentry. Also runs a free reentry hotline on Friday's 9am-3pm that accepts calls from people who are currently incarcerated. Root & Rebound often can help you prepare to and transition home, plus navigate challenges due to having a record.  Supports with getting an ID, securing parole transfers, verifying parole length, and understanding parole conditions. California and South Carolina only.


Nationwide Organizations and Resources
Safe Streets Arts Foundation

Accepts and sells/distributes prisoner art, publishes prisoner books online, and stages annual shows at the Kennedy Center in
DC. All services free; write for submission guidelines; state whether you are a writer or artist (SASE ensures quick reply).


 


Educational Resources, Prison Writing / Arts Programs
San Quentin News

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.


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Newsletters and Magazines
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. Our educational materials are sent nationally in responding to mail requests. Serves Californians only.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, California
Set Free Prison Ministries

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.


Educational Resources, Religious Programs / Spiritual Resources
Sinister Wisdom

Publishes work by lesbians only - prose, poetry, essays, graphics, and book reviews. Will send free to women. Nationwide to women's prisons only.


LGBTQI-focused Organizations and Resources
Slingshot Magazine

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.


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Newsletters and Magazines
Solitary Watch

Solitary Watch works to expose and oppose the use of solitary confinement in U.S. prisons and jails. It has temporarily suspended its newsletter for incarcerated members. Solitary Watch also welcomes submissions of writing of up to 1000 words by those currently or formerly serving time in solitary. May not respond timely to letters. Serves people nationally.


 


Nationwide Organizations and Resources
Southern Center for Human Rights

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.


Legal Resources
Stanford Justice Advocacy Project

Represents people serving unjust three strikes sentences for minor crimes, assists released prisoners successfully reentering their communities, and advocates for fairer and more effective criminal justice policies in California and across the country.  Only serves Californians; expect delays; will not respond if they cannot serve you.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, California
SYDA Foundation Prison Project

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.


 


Educational Resources, Rehabilitation Programs
Sylvia Rivera Law Project

Provides free legal services to released prisoners who are transgender, intersex, gender nonconforming people who are low-income, and/or people of color. They specialize in providing assistance on name changes, identity documents, public benefits, immigration, shelter and more. Operating remotely in January 2022 and will continue to do so for an undetermined period of time. They are still active during the pandemic but remote status may impact phone and writen responses. Serving individuals in New York area only.


LGBTQI-focused Organizations and Resources
Texas Civil Rights Project

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.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Texas
The Alabama Prison Arts + Education Project

This program is administered by Auburn University and dedicated to bringing educational opportunities to prisoners in Alabama. The program is helping the adult prison population to gain a quality education, and also to build a relationship with learning that will continue to grow for the rest of their lives. Serves Alabama only.


Educational Resources, Prison Writing / Arts Programs
The American Prison Writing Archive

NEW ADDRESS. Digital archive of non-fiction essays that offers the public first-hand testimony to the living and working conditions experienced by prisoners, prison employees, and prison volunteers. All prisoners can contribute. Non-fiction essays, based on first-hand experience, should be limited to 5,000 words (15 double-spaced pages). Clearly hand-written pages are also welcome. They charge no fees and read all writing submitted. Write in for the permissions-questionnaire, which MUST accompany all submissions. Serves writers nationally.


Educational Resources, Prison Writing / Arts Programs
The Angolite

The Angolite is published and edited by prisoners at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, LA. Write for order form with costs for subscription.


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Newsletters and Magazines
The California Prison and Parole Law Handbook

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.


 


PARC Recommended Legal and Educational Prison Books
The Exoneration Initiative

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


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
The Exoneration Project

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.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
The Insight Prison Project

IPP offers transformational restorative justice based programs for incarcerated people, which are supported by crime survivors and community volunteers.  IPP currently conducts 13 weekly classes at San Quentin State Prison, involving some 175 prisoners. IPP’s Victim Offender Education Group  (VOEG) is a nationally recognized restorative justice program.  IPP also offers our VOEG program in 15 other prisons.  IPP provides in-prison services in California, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Colorado.  IPP does NOT currently offer correspondence courses, books, pen pals, or legal services.


Educational Resources, Rehabilitation Programs
The Last Resort Exoneration Project

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.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
The Law Library of Louisiana

The Law Library of Louisiana offers a robust free guide with information and resources on common legal issues faced by prisoners, former prisoners and their families. The guide covers post- conviction remedies, civil rights violations in prison, parole, family law issues, re-entry assistance and resources on the collateral consequences of conviction. Serves Louisiana only.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Louisiana
The MacArthur Justice Center

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.


Legal Resources
The Michigan Lifers Association

Support for Michigan lifers led by Willis X. Harris, found innocent after serving over 23 years in the Michigan prison system. Write for information about programming and support for lifers. Note there is no online presence, but they are easily reached by phone or mail. Serves people in MI specifically but also all across the US and Canada.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Michigan
The Militant

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.


Newsletters and Magazines
The Osborne Association

Osborne offers a wide range of direct services to justice system-involved people and their children and families. Our programs and services are evidence- and experience-based and designed to reduce crime and reliance on incarceration, heal the damage and trauma of crime and incarceration, and enhance opportunity for those affected by crime and incarceration. Offers services to incarcerated parents as well. Write for list of programs and services. The Osborne Association has three locations: in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Newburgh. Only Servces People in New York.


 


Educational Resources, Rehabilitation Programs
The Paperback Shop

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.


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Vendors and Publishers
The Pathfinder Network

Formerly Pathfinders of Oregon. Has several successful programs in prisons and the community. Classes inside prison including Parenting Inside Out and the Healing Opportunities, Promoting Empowerment (HOPE) program. Outside, Pathfinders Network provides reentry support, including peer mentoring and parenting classes, at the Center for Family Success. Serves people in Oregon only.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Oregon
The Sentencing Project

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.


Nationwide Organizations and Resources
The Southern Center for Human Rights

SCHR is engaged in litigation, public education, advocacy, and works with other organizations and individuals to protect the civil and human rights of people prosecuted in the criminal courts – particularly those facing the death penalty – and confined in the prisons and jails of the South. They offer free guidebooks with tools on how to advocate for incarcerated loved ones and on re-entry services. Serves Georgia and the deep south.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Georgia
The Transformative Justice Law Project

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.


LGBTQI-focused Organizations and Resources
Thurgood Marshall School of Law Innocence Project

Handles claims of actual innocence typically involving DNA evidence testing, mistaken identification, or that a crime never actually occurred. Thurgood Marshall law students work directly on the project and screen cases, obtain and review case histories, investigate facts, interview involved persons, write case timelines and summaries, perform case analyses, and prepare written case evaluations and pleadings. Serves Texas only.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
TPAN

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.


Health Care Resources
Transgender Law Center

Transgender Law Center’s Detention Project works to end the abuses transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) people experience in institutional settings such as prisons and jails. Resources include state DOC and BOP policies on trans rights; guides for filing grievances and lawsuits; know-your-rights guides for trans and LGBT people; medical information about transition-related health care; reentry resources; and other information. Serves people nationwide, but more specific information for Californians.


LGBTQI-focused Organizations and Resources
Transgender, Gender Variant, and Intersex (TGI) Justice Project

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.


Nationwide Organizations and Resources, LGBTQI-focused Organizations and Resources
Tranzmission Prison Project

An LGBTQ+ focused abolition and advocacy group based out of Asheville, NC.  A volunteer-run, non-hierarchicial organization providing free books, zines, resources and other means of support to incarcerated queer individuals nationwide.


LGBTQI-focused Organizations and Resources
Tulane University Law Library

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.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Louisiana
Tulane University Women's Prison Project

Law student clinic focused on incarcerated individuals who are also survivors of abuse. Provides individual representation for pre-trial, post-conviction, parole, and clemency proceedings where abuse was a factor in the crime of conviction. Expect delays during the summer. Should also be able to provide services in Russian, Italian, and French. Serves survivors in Louisiana only, but will consult nationwide with defense attorneys. 


Women's Organizations and Resources
Turning the Tide: Journal of Inter-communal Solidarity

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.


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Newsletters and Magazines
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.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, California
University of Baltimore Innocence Project Clinic

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.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
University of Miami Law Innocence Clinic

The clinic handles cases involving innocent individuals incarcerated for a minimum of 10 years who have new evidence ranging from recanting witnesses to new witnesses discovered by students to prosecutorial misconduct and ineffective assistance of counsel. The clinic also accepts cases involving DNA evidence. Serves Floridians only.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Upper Iowa University

Upper Iowa University offers a Self-Paced Degree Program, with courses in paper format that can be completed at a distance. The Self-Paced paper format is structured around written assignments and proctored exams. Offers associate degrees in business administration, criminal justice, liberal arts, psychology, and social science. Write for tuition costs ($990 per course 2021-22 academic year) and course catalog. Write, do not call. Serves students nationwide.


Educational Resources, College and Higher Education Courses
Urbana-Champaign Books to Prisoners

UC Books to Prisoners is an Urbana, Illinois based project providing books at no cost by mail to inmates in state and federal prisons, as well as in two county jail libraries in Illinois. Serves people in Illinois only.


Educational Resources, Free Books Programs
Utah Prisoner Advocate Network

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. 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.


Regional Advocacy Organizations, Utah
Vegetarian Resource Group

The Vegetarian Resource Group is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public on vegetarianism and the interrelated issues of health, nutrition, environment, ethics, and world hunger. Publishes Vegan Journal magazine, as well as Veganism in a Nutshell, Vegetarianism in a Nutshell, Heart Healthy Eating, My Vegan Plate, and El Vegetarianismo en pocas palabras  brochures. Serves people nationwide.


 


Nationwide Organizations and Resources
Washington Innocence Project

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.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
West Virginia Innocence Project

Accepts cases of actual innocence in West Virginia; DNA and non-DNA cases; three or more years left to serve; will consider arson and shaken baby syndrome cases. Serves West Virginia only.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Wisconsin Books to Prisoners Project

Wisconsin Books to Prisoners is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that sends books free of charge to state and federal prisoners in Wisconsin. Does not respond to email inquiries. Please request by genre or subject category. Sends to Wisconsin only.


 


 


Educational Resources, Free Books Programs
Wisconsin Innocence Project

The Wisconsin Innocence Project (WIP) is a clinic at the University of Wisconsin Law School.  WIP reviews cases of actual innocence. Must be incarcerated in Wisconsin, have at least seven years left of your sentence, and have a significant chance that substantial new evidence may be found to support a claim of innocence. This newly discovered evidence (NDE) could be physical evidence that was not previously subjected to forensic examination, such as DNA testing.  NDE may also include non-physical evidence, such as from an eyewitness who was previously unknown or a recantation from a victim, if such a recantation is supported by other new evidence. Serves Wisconsin only.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
WMU-Cooley Law School Innocence Project

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.


Legal Resources, Innocence Projects
Women's Prison Association

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.


Nationwide Organizations and Resources, Women's Organizations and Resources, HIV Resources
Women's Prison Book Project

Provides women and transgender persons in prison with free reading materials covering a wide range of topics. WPBP also has a free resource guide for women and trans prisoners and a newsletter which publishes prisoner articles. Partners with Black and Pink Minneapolis' pen pal project (see LGBTQ resouce section). Ofrecen materiales de lectura en Español. Only serves women and trans prisoners.


Books, Magazines, and Publishers, Free Books Programs
Your Life on the List

"Your Life on the List," by Derek Logue, is a state by state by state survival guide for those forced to register upon release from incarceration. The latest edition is available via Amazon for $14.95.  It can also be downloaded (free of charge) by going to oncefallen.com where there is a vast amount of information for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals, including housing lists, information on legal issues, and newsletters.


PARC Recommended Legal and Educational Prison Books