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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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. |
Regional Advocacy Organizations, Alabama |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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. They visit and assess conditions in prisons across NY state. CA is not able to provide legal assistance or extensive individual advocacy, communication with impacted individuals is logged and analyzed for use in monitoring and reporting. Additionally, CANY on a limited basis and with the consent of an impacted individual, does provide legal referrals, access to informational resources, and administrative advocacy. Serves New York only. |
Regional Advocacy Organizations, New York |
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Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund Assistance is generally limited to providing basic disability civil rights informational materials and referrals, with attention to CDCR state prisoners concerning prison condition and medical access. DREDF does not provide assistance with individual disability benefits applications or denial of Social Security Disability benefits. California only. |
Regional Advocacy Organizations, California |
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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 |
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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 |