Resources: Regional Advocacy Organizations
PARC corresponds with and mails a directory of these resources to prisoners, their friends and family members. We are often the first point of contact for people to connect with prisoners' rights organizations, community organizations, prison literature and arts projects, family and visiting resources, health care and legal resources, parole and pre-release resources, and the prison abolition movement.
Download a PDF copy of the November 2024 Edition here.
Please note recent updates since our last publication:
Compassion Works For All has closed (see listing in Religious Programs)
Missouri Prison Books: Now sending to Kansas, Illinois, and Indiana. Is banned in Missouri, since Sept 23, 2024
The Pathfinder Network: correct phone is 503-892-5396
Providence Books Through Bars c/o Paper Nautilus 19 S Angell Street Providence RI 02906
Women’s Book Project 3501 Aldrich Ave. S, Minneapolis MN 55408
PDX Books Through Bars: ships up to 3 books for free to anyone incarcerated in all states except Wisconsin. General topics/genres only. PO Box 11222; Portland OR, 97211
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Florida Cares Charity Florida Cares Charity is dedicated to improving the lives of the incarcerated through programs, advocacy, education and visitation. The organization offers education on how to effectively communicate with the Florida Department of Corrections Administration. Serves Floridians only. |
Regional Advocacy Organizations, Florida |
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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 |
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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.
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Regional Advocacy Organizations, New York |
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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. The directory includes national, state, and local resources organized by county, region and topic. Available in full online. Serves Mississippi only. |
Regional Advocacy Organizations, Mississippi |
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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 |
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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 |
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Friends Outside Friends Outside provides services and support to inmates and visitors at each California State Prison. Offers reentry planning for inmates near release and prosocial skill building education. For those visiting loved ones, Friends Outside contracts to run Visitor Centers. Visitor Centers provide childcare, transportation for visitors to the prison from area bus and train stations, information and resources, and a restful and welcoming place to stop for a moment before and after visits. Does not usually respond to letters. California only. |
Regional Advocacy Organizations, California |
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Hawai‘i Friends of Restorative Justice Hawai‘i Friends of Restorative Justice (HFRJ) envisions a humanitarian justice system that provides processes for hope, healing and rehabilitation. They provide education, training, and program development to help individuals and organizations live cooperatively based on knowledge gleaned over the years. They have trained and hired incarcerated peer educator tutors and help fund higher education after release. They developed an effective re-entry planning process and provide a re-entry guide for Hawai’i. Serve Hawai’i only. |
Regional Advocacy Organizations, Hawaii |
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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 |
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Human Rights Coalition The Human Rights Coalition (HRC) is a network of currently and formerly incarcerated people and their advocates. They are fighting for the abolishment of solitary confinement in Pennsylvania prisons. They also publish the HRC Legal Pamphlet Series, other pamphlets and information letters, and the “PA Prison Directory Action Guide” (2009) (too many pages for them to print & mail, but available for download on their website). The Movement magazine is published quarterly and available online, accepting submissions two pages max. Responds to letters. Serves Pennsylvania only. |
Regional Advocacy Organizations, Pennsylvania |