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.
| Resource | Category |
|---|---|
|
Innocence Project New Orleans Accepts cases of factual innocence from Louisiana; 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. Limited to convictions in Louisiana or 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. Case must arise from Iowa.
|
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. Send two stamps, or pre-addressed stamped envelope containing two stamps for a copy of their resource guide. 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 |
|
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? |
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 |
|
Jailhouse Lawyers Handbook The Jailhouse Lawyers Handbook (5th Ed, 2010, 158 pages, free) 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. To receive a paperbound copy, mail a request to the above address. Please note the Handbook is also available downloaded from their website (http://jailhouselaw.org/) by an outside source, printed out, and mailed to the prisoner. List of chapter headings: (1) Introduction; (2) Your Legal Options; (3) Your Rights in Prison; (4) Structuring Your Lawsuit; (5) How to Start Your Lawsuit; (6) Legal System & Research; (7) The Legal System and Legal Research; and 12 appendices. Donations of $2 (or more) help offset postage and shipping and are greatly appreciated. |
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 |