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From the Editor

March 31, 2002, marks the final date for PLN to raise $15,000 for its matching grant fundraiser campaign .As we go to press, we have raised $10,852, which is still way short of our goal . PLN desperately needs these funds to continue operating .If you have not yet made a donation, please take this opportunity to do so . PLN urgently needs your support more than ever .We will announce the final results in the May 2002, issue of PLN .

So far, more than 500 people have responded to PLN 's reader survey with a variety of comments and suggestions .We will tabulate the results and report them in the May 2002 issue of PLN as well .Some readers have asked how to submit news and information about events in their state .To do so, simply send PLN news clippings (include the date and source on each clipping) to PLN 's Seattle address .That's all there is to it .Readers interested in submitting articles should first review PLN 's writer guidelines by either downloading it from PLN 's website or sending us an SASE requesting it.

A frequent request from the survey is for pen pal services and law books . PLN will be making an effort to expand the number of advertisers offering both services, as well as expanding the selection of books that PLN distributes .A lot of readers also want information about free or pro bono legal services .Alas, we are not aware of any such services in the field of criminal law except for the Innocence Project .As far as civil rights cases go, that varies by state and is generally limited .An upcoming issue of PLN will feature an article with suggestions on obtaining contingency or pro bono counsel in civil cases.

As readers know, recent years have seen an increase in incidents where prison and jail officials censor PLN and the materials we distribute .We have aggressively challenged those policies aimed at keeping PLN out of detention facilities .This has included litigation in six states and administrative appeals in numerous others .Late last year we decided to consolidate PLN 's censorship litigation with one law firm, which will allow us to respond faster to censorship, issues and resolve the problem sooner .The Seattle law firm of Bricklin and Gendler has agreed to represent PLN in its censorship litigation on a national basis .They have successfully represented PLN in litigation against the Washington Department of Corrections in the past .We ask that our prisoner readers inform us of any instances where mailings from PLN are censored or otherwise not delivered.

One of our goals for 2002 is to expand PLN 's size by another four pages to bring readers still more news and information .The total cost of this expansion will be approximately $500 per issue in additional postage and printing costs .If anyone is willing to sponsor this expansion for a one year period PLN will expand immediately.

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