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Prison Activist Resource Center - PARC National Prisoner Resource Directory, 2018

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PARC National Prisoner Resource Directory

Core Volunteers
Jessie Backer

Greetings,

Marka Ellertson

Welcome to the June 2018 edition of PARC’s National Prisoner Resource Directory. We have
updated information on organizations that are new to us, and on ones that have sometimes been
found unresponsive after being listed. Our categories relating to books and magazine sellers are now
in the section labeled Books and Magazines and Vendors and Publishers. Higher Education is a
section by itself, listing colleges that offer distance learning. State specific sections also carry local
and state-based educational opportunities.

Megan Fuller
Roberto Monic
Scott Nelson
Penny Schoner
Taeva Shefler
Mindy Stone
Erin Wiegand

Community
Advisory Board
Bo Brown
Angela Davis
Linda Evans
Pam Fadem
Pat Foley
Ruthie Gilmore
Dorsey Nunn
Jack Bryson
Andrea Pritchett
Frances Free Ramos
Elihu Rosenblat

Prison Advisory
Board
Kevin Cooper
Yvonne Roach
Dr. Mutulu Shakur
Mutope Duguma

June 2018

Occasionally, organizations no longer reply to letters, but we continue to list them for
informational purposes, or because they may have resources on line that could be downloaded and
mailed to you. Several of these groups are noted in the directory.
The heat in the Southern states in the summer is a major cause of death, and certainly great
suffering. A lawsuit regarding air conditioning in the Pack Unit at Navasota TX, has resulted in a
federal order to supply an air conditioning system by May 2020, but already men are being
transferred to cooler quarters. The federal lawsuit cited conditions described as heat so intense as
to cause cruel and unusual punishment (Cole et al v. Collier #4:14-cv-01698 USDC, SD Texas). A U.S.
District Judge declared that the state had shown “deliberate indifference.” This decision could
extend to prisoners statewide and hopefully will lead to cooler air well beyond Texas.
As many of you are well aware, solitary confinement is still an overused form of torture
across the country. There is some positive news on this front, though, both locally and
internationally. In California, as a result of the settlement in Ashker v. Governor Brown (#4:09-cv05796, USDC ND Cal), more than 2,800 men were released from solitary units by the CDCR
Departmental Review Board between 2015-2017. Most were sent to general population; although
this is not much better in many cases, as permanent “lockdowns” are the new norm. And in
December 2017, courts of appeal in two Canadian provinces ruled that the current practice of
administrative segregation (solitary confinement) is unconstitutional. Both courts granted a 12month suspension to permit the Candaian Parliament sufficient time to adjust an administrative
model and additional safeguards that address the consequent psychological harms.
The next major hurdle for so many who spent decades in solitary is the parole board. We in
California are working to replace Parole Board Commissioners who are not former law enforcement
personnel, and to end the use of confidential informants both for disciplinary hearings and in parole
proceedings. Parole Boards are often working in the dark without a lot of oversight. Let’s bring it to
the front!
As an all-volunteer organization, we do our best to respond to individual letters, but our
current focus is on maintaining and distributing the directory free to all who request a copy. We do
not keep a database of the prisoners with whom we correspond. We do not list pen pal resources,
as those are available through other sources or groups listed in the directory. We graciously accept
your support and enthusiasm. To those on the outside, feel free to copy and distribute this directory.
We hope the directory assists you with information and contacts you may need.
WE ARE NOT A LAW OFFICE OR A LEGAL REFERRAL SERVICE.
WE CAN NOT GIVE LEGAL ADVICE.
In Solidarity towards Justice Always, PARC

This 24-page resource directory has been published by the Prison Activist Resource Center, PO Box 70447,
Oakland, CA, 94612, 510-893-4648. If included, please mail back the evaluation form with any updates.

PARC National Prisoner Resource Directory – June 2018
NATIONWIDE ORGANIZATIONS AND RESOURCES
ACLU National Prison Project
915 15th Street NW, 7th Floor · Washington, DC 20005
202-393-4930 · www.aclu.org/prisoners-rights
The ACLU National Prison Project (NPP) handles class action lawsuits to
ensure that conditions of confinement in prisons, jails, and other places of
detention are constitutional. The NPP does not handle cases on behalf of
individual prisoners and does not assist individual prisoners with their
criminal cases or post-conviction matters. The NPP no longer responds to
letters for copies of resource materials, and instead makes these materials
available only through their website.
Adopt An Inmate
PO Box 1543 · Veneta, OR 97487
971-236-7897 · adoptaninmate.org
Adopt an Inmate is a nonprofit volunteer organization that seeks to create
extended family for inmates by matching them with adopters. Their website
is a comprehensive source of tools and resources needed to advocate for
inmates. They welcome stories, poems, artwork, and book reviews by both
inmates and their advocates. Their blog page features a rotating "Welcome"
banner provided by inmates. Include a pre-addressed stamped envelope to
submit an inmate name for adoption, or artwork (including a "welcome"
banner), stories, poems or book reviews.
AFSC Prison Watch Project
89 Market St, 6th Floor · Newark, NJ 07102 · 215-241-7000
afsc.org/new-yorknew-jersey-healing-justice-and-prison-watch
The AFSC Prison Watch Project has published the Fifth Edition of the
Survivors Manual: Surviving in Solitary, by Bonnie Kerness (2012, 94
pages), which is free to prisoners and $3 for all others. This 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.
All of Us or None
1540 Market St, Suite 490 · San Francisco, CA 94102
415-255-7036 x337 · www.allofusornone.org
All of Us or None is a national organizing initiative of prisoners and former
prisoners to combat the many forms of discrimination that prisoners face
upon release. They do not answer letters from prisoners, but rather are
active in several local and national campaigns, including BAN THE BOX, a
movement to end job discrimination based on felony convictions.
Amnesty International
5 Penn Plaza, 16th Floor · New York, NY 10001
212-807-8400 · www.amnestyusa.org
Amnesty International compiles information about prisoner torture, beatings,
rape, etc. to include in reports about U.S. prison conditions; also works on
death penalty issues. May not respond to letters.

2

The Center on Wrongful Convictions of Youth (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.
The CWCY is dedicated to identifying, investigating, and litigating credible
innocence claims of wrongfully convicted young people and preventing
future wrongful convictions.
Centurion Ministries, Inc.
1000 Herrontown Rd · Princeton, NJ 08540
609-921-0334 · www.centurionministries.org
Centurion Ministries is an 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 you
were convicted of; brief description of the crime; why were you arrested and
taken to trial; what evidence was used to convict you; and what evidence
there is that points toward your innocence.
Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE)
PO Box 2310 · Washington, DC 20013-2310
202-789-2126 · www.curenational.org
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.
Coalition for Prisoners’ Rights Newsletter
PO Box 1911 · Santa Fe, NM 87504
realcostofprisons.org/coalition.html
Coalition for Prisoners’ Rights 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 at realcostofprisons.org/coalition.html.
Critical Resistance
1904 Franklin Street, Suite 504 · Oakland, CA 94612
510-444-0484 · www.criticalresistance.org
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, which is free to prisoners.
CURE Life-Long
665 West Willis St, Suite B-1 · Detroit, MI 48201
313-442-3629
Publishes a quarterly newspaper covering prisoners with sentences of 25
years to life. Prisoner’s rate is $5 per year.

Center for Constitutional Rights
666 Broadway · New York, NY 10012
212-614-6464 · ccrjustice.org
The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) is a 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 litigated the Ashker v Governor challenge to
solitary confinement in CA. May not respond to letters.

Equal Justice Initiative
122 Commerce Street · Montgomery, AL 36104
334-269-1803 · www.eji.org/deathpenalty/innocence
The 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.

Center on Wrongful Convictions
357 E Chicago Ave, Suite 800 · Chicago, IL 60611-3069
312-503-8576 · www.law.northwestern.edu/wrongfulconvictions
The Center on Wrongful Convictions 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.

Families Against Mandatory Minimums
1100 H Street NW, Suite 1000 · Washington, DC 20005
202-822-6700 · www.famm.org
FAMM is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization fighting for fair and
proportionate sentencing laws that allow judicial discretion while maintaining
public safety, and primarily advocates for state and federal sentencing
reform. May not respond to letters.

Center on Wrongful Convictions of Youth
Northwestern University School of Law
375 E Chicago Ave · Chicago, IL 60611-3069 · 312-503-8576
www.law.northwestern.edu/legalclinic/wrongfulconvictionsyouth/

Helping Educate to Advance the Rights of the Deaf (HEARD)
PO Box 1160 · Washington, DC 20013
202-455-8076 (voice) 202-436-9278 (videophone) · www.behearddc.org
HEARD is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that provides advocacy
services for deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind inmates across the nation.

This 24-page resource directory has been published by the Prison Activist Resource Center, PO Box 70447,
Oakland, CA, 94612, 510-893-4648. If included, please mail back the evaluation form with any updates.

PARC National Prisoner Resource Directory – June 2018
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 timely respond to
letters.
Innocence Project
40 Worth St, Suite 701 · New York, NY 10013
212-364-5340 · www.innocenceproject.org
The Innocence Project only accepts cases on post-conviction appeal in
which DNA testing can prove innocence. If the case does not involve
biological evidence or DNA, check to see if there is another program that
provides broader legal and investigative assistance. Will not take cases in
AZ, CA, IL, MI, OH, WA, or WI.
Just Detention International
3325 Wilshire Bl, Suite 340 · Los Angeles, CA 90010
213-384-1400 · www.justdetention.org
Formerly called Stop Prisoner Rape, JDI seeks to end sexual violence
against prisoners. JDI provides information and advocacy on sexual abuse
and exploitation of prisoners including support and advice for victims and
targets of both sexes including information on psychological and health
consequences, legal action, and survivor options. Prisoners may
communicate confidentially with SPR using legal mail, addressing
correspondence to Ms. Cynthia Totten, Esq., Bar #199266, at the above
address. JDI also publishes a Resource Guide for Survivors of Sexual
Abuse Behind Bars, which offers resources for survivors who are still
incarcerated, those who have been released, and loved ones on the outside
who are searching for ways to help.
Lewisburg Prison Project
PO Box 128 · Lewisburg, PA 17837
570-523-1104 · www.lewisburgprisonproject.org
The Lewisburg Prison Project (LPP) counsels and assists prisoners who
write to LPP when prisoners encounter treatment perceived as illegal or
unfair. Their geographic coverage area includes four federal institutions
(Allenwood, Lewisburg, McKean, and Schuylkill), 11 PA state prisons, and
34 county jails in the middle district of PA. LPP also distributes publications
to prisoners nationwide at a nominal fee. A partial list of their Legal Bulletins
includes the following titles: Legal Research, Religious Rights, First
Amendment, Access to Courts, Exhausting Administrative Remedies,
Disciplinary Hearings, Racial/Religious Discrimination, Assaults, and
Medical Rights. LPP also distributes the Prisoners' Rights Handbook (2009,
142 pages) as well as other legal information by mail. Send an SASE for full
list of available publications.
Medill Justice Project
Northwestern University 1845 Sheridan Rd · Evanston, IL 60208
847-491-5840 · www.medilljusticeproject.org
The Medill Justice Project investigates potentially wrongful murder
convictions. To be considered, a case must meet all of the following criteria:
The crime must have taken place in the United States; the charges must
include murder; the case must have been heard by the state appellate court
and the conviction must have been affirmed; and the prisoner must be
claiming actual innocence.
NAACP Legal Defense Fund
40 Rector St · New York, NY 10006
212-965-2200 · www.naacpldf.org
NAACP Legal Defense Fund Is a non-profit law firm which deals only with
cases of obvious race discrimination and affecting broad classes of people.
They also handle a small number of capital defense and life without parole
cases. May not timely respond to letters.
National Jericho Movement
PO Box 2164 · Chesterfield, VA 23832
www.thejerichomovement.com
National Jericho Movement is a political prisoner support group working to
free all Political Prisoners. May not respond to letters.
National Lawyers Guild Prison Law Project
132 Nassau St, Rm 922 · New York, NY 10038

3

212-679-5100 · www.nlg.org/prison-law-project
The NLG helps publish the Jailhouse Lawyers Handbook on bringing civil
rights claims alleging violation of constitutional rights in prison or jail. NLG
does not provide lawyers or legal assistance, but does provide free
membership for jailhouse lawyers. May not timely respond to letters.
Navajo Nation Corrections Project
PO Drawer 709 · Window Rock, AZ 86515 · 928-871-7555
A pioneer in the realm of prisoner advocacy, the Navajo Nation Corrections
Project promotes Native inmates' dignity and recovery through access to
civil rights and culturally appropriate religious rites.
Prison Legal News
PO Box 1151 · Lake Worth, FL 33460
561-360-2523 · www.prisonlegalnews.org
Prison Legal News (PLN) 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; write for a copy of their book list.
Prisoner Visitation and Support
1501 Cherry St · Philadelphia, PA 19102
215-241-7117 · www.prisonervisitation.org
Prisoner Visitation and Support (PVS) is a nationwide visitation that has 300
volunteers across the U.S. who visit federal and military prisoners only. Their
goal is to visit any federal or military prisoner who wishes to receive a visit
with special priority paid to prisoners on death row, in solitary confinement,
or those who are serving long sentences. The PVS volunteers visit once a
month, with limited visiting services for Spanish speaking prisoners.
Solitary Watch
PO Box 11374 · Washington, DC 20008
solitarywatch.com
Solitary Watch works to expose and oppose the use of solitary confinement
in U.S. prisons and jails, and offers a free quarterly newsletter to prisoners.
Solitary Watch also welcomes submissions of writing by those currently or
formerly serving time in solitary. May not respond to letters.
Student Insurgent
1228 University St, Eugene, OR 97403
https://www.facebook.com/pg/The-Student-Insurgent-163402883698395
541-346-3716
Quarterly magazine (Fall/Winter/Spring only) dedicated to providing a free
and truthful forum for students to express themselves. Sent free of charge
to incarcerated persons, from whom the Student Insurgent wants to hear
and welcomes submissions of writing, poetry, and art.
The Center for Children of Incarcerated Parents
PO Box 41-286 · Eagle Rock, CA 90041
626-449-2470 · www.e-ccip.org
The CCIP provides services in four components. (1) The Information
component includes publications and audio-visual materials free of charge to
prisoners, their children and their families; and provides advice to groups of
incarcerated parents and family members. (2) The Educational component
provides materials and holds parent education training for parents in the
criminal justice system. A correspondence course in parent education is
offered to incarcerated parents. (3) The Family Reunification component has
about 60 service projects to help prisoners and their children maintain a
relationship. (4) The Therapeutic Component provides therapy for
incarcerated mothers and their infants and young children. They also publish
the following materials: Information for Families, a CCIP brochure; The
Booklist for Children of Prisoners; The CCIP Family Contracts Package;
What About the Kids? An Information Sheet for Arrested Parents; Selecting
a Temporary Caregiver for Your Child; and When Incarcerated Parents Lose
Contract with Their Children.
The Exoneration Project
311 North Aberdeen St, Suite 2E · Chicago, IL 60607
312-789-4955 · www.exonerationproject.org

This 24-page resource directory has been published by the Prison Activist Resource Center, PO Box 70447,
Oakland, CA, 94612, 510-893-4648. If included, please mail back the evaluation form with any updates.

PARC National Prisoner Resource Directory – June 2018

4

The Exoneration Project reviews 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 plead 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.

inside American prisons can contribute work to the APWA. They seek
authors who write with the authority that only first-person experience can
bring. 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. A
permissions-questionnaire MUST accompany all submissions.

The Sentencing Project
1705 DeSales Street NW, 8th Floor · Washington, DC 20036
202-628-0871 · www.sentencingproject.org
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
excellent reports on topics related to sentencing policy, racial disparities,
drug policy, juvenile justice and voting rights. Does not

WOMEN'S ORGANIZATIONS AND RESOURCES

Wisconsin Innocence Project
University of Wisconsin Madison
975 Bascom Mall · Madison, WI 53706-1399
608-265-1160 · https://law.wisc.edu/fjr/clinicals/ip/representation.html
The Wisconsin Innocence Project (WIP) is a clinical legal education program
at the University of Wisconsin Law School. WIP seeks to exonerate the
innocent, educate students and reform the criminal justice system by
identifying and remedying the causes of wrongful convictions. WIP reviews
cases where the applicant claims to be actually innocent of the crime(s) for
which he or she has been convicted. In order to challenge a conviction,
there must be 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 previous subjected to
forensic examination, such as DNA testing. NDE may also include nonphysical 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.

Action Committee for Women in Prison
769 Northwestern Dr · Claremont, CA 91711
626-710-7543 · https://acwip.wordpress.com
The Action Committee for Women in Prison advocates for the humane and
compassionate treatment of all incarcerated women everywhere, and works
for the release of all women who are unjustly imprisoned, including individual
women prisoners who pose no danger to society. They also strive to reduce
the over reliance on incarceration by shifting the focus from punishment to
rehabilitation and restorative justice. The group was started by Gloria Killian,
who was exonerated in 2002 and released from prison after serving more
than 16 years on a sentence of 32 years-to-life for a crime she did not
commit.

PRISON WRITING / ARTS PROGRAMS
Pen Prison Writing Program
Pen American Center 588 Broadway, Suite 303 · New York, NY 10012
212-334-1660 · https://pen.org/about/programs/prison-writing
Founded in 1971, the PEN Prison Writing Program believes in the
restorative, rehabilitative power of writing and provides hundreds of
prisoners across the country with skilled writing teachers and audiences for
their work. It provides a place for prisoners to express themselves freely and
encourages the use of the written word as a legitimate form of power. PEN's
Prison Writing Program sponsors an annual writing contest, publishes the
free book Handbook for Writers In Prison, provides one-on-one mentoring to
prisoners, conducts workshops, and seeks to promote prisoners' work
publicly through literary publications and readings.
PrisonArte.com
c/o SG Sales & Marketing · PO Box 1773 · Avondale, AZ 85323
623-478-5294 · www.prisonarte.com
The PrisonArte website was originally started to assist artists who worked
with the website owner's husband at the same facility in which he is serving
a 25-year sentence. The website has now been opened up to other artists
throughout the U.S. PrisonArte's application process is crucial to get to know
the artist and add them to their website and introduce the artist to the world.
PrisonArte wants people to want to buy art from YOU. They offer this online
venue by collecting a very small fee on each sale. When PrisonArte ships a
piece to a customer, they are able to guarantee the quality as well as cover
any expense if a customer decides they are unhappy and want to return it.
To obtain the 7-page prison artist application packet, a pre-addressed
stamped envelope (one Forever stamp) must be included.
The American Prison Writing Archive
198 College Hill Rd · Clinton, NY 13323
315-859-4125 · www.dhinitiative.org/projects/apwa
The American Prison Writing Archive is an in-progress, internet-based,
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. Anyone who lives, works, or volunteers

ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project
125 Broad St, 18th Floor · New York, NY 10004-2400
212-549-2633 · www.aclu.org/reproductive-freedom
The ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project advocates for pregnant women
while incarcerated to receive the reproductive health services that are
needed. Prisoners can write to them for a “Know Your Rights” fact sheet.

Center on Wrongful Convictions - Women's Project
Center on Wrongful Convictions, Northwestern University Pitzker School of
Law 375 E Chicago Ave · Chicago, IL 60611-3069 · 312-503-8576
www.law.northwestern.edu/legalclinic/wrongfulconvictions/womensproject
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 he 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.
Chicago Books to Women in Prison
c/o RFUMC · 4511 N Hermitage Ave · Chicago, IL 60640
www.chicagobwp.org
Chicago Books to Women in Prison is an all-volunteer, donation-funded
501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that distributes paperback books (including
Spanish books) free of charge to incarcerated women nationwide, including
transwomen in men's prisons. They do not send books to jails outside of
Cook County, IL. They send three books in a package. Please provide
several options of genre or subject matter.
Hastings Women’s Law Journal
UC Hastings College of Law
200 McAllister St · San Francisco, CA 94102-4707
415-581-8952 · hastingswomenslj.org/submissions
Since 1989, the Hastings Women's Law Journal has provided a forum for
voices outside the traditional scope of legal academic scholarship. They
offer and maintain an inclusive space for feminism, race theory, queer
theory, multi-culturalism, animal rights, disability rights, language rights,
international human rights, criminal defendants' rights and human rights of
people in prison, among others. They are seeking submissions from women
in prison about their experiences. Write them for further info.
Justice Now
1322 Webster St, Suite 210 · Oakland, CA 94612
510-839-7654 · www.justicenowprisonabolition.org
Justice Now focuses on the needs of women prisoners. They work on
alternative sentencing; document human rights abuses in prison; provide
legal services around women's healthcare access, and offer assistance with
compassionate release. Their collect call line (for women inside) is 510-8324357, 1pm-4pm, Tuesday-Friday.

This 24-page resource directory has been published by the Prison Activist Resource Center, PO Box 70447,
Oakland, CA, 94612, 510-893-4648. If included, please mail back the evaluation form with any updates.

PARC National Prisoner Resource Directory – June 2018

National Clearinghouse for the Defense of Battered Women
125 S 9th St, Suite 302 · Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-351-0010 (collect calls) or 800-903-0111 x3 · www.ncdbw.org
The Clearinghouse assists defense teams on cases involving domestic
violence survivors charged with crimes related to their abuse. They do not
provide direct legal representation or advice or any social services, but
rather provides information and resources to defense teams at any stage of
the legal process in an effort to increase the likelihood of a better – and
more just – outcome. A very small nonprofit organization, they do what they
can to answer requests for assistance promptly, but responding to letters
may take a long time, so it's best to call. They accept collect calls from
incarcerated battered women, and have Spanish-speakers on staff
(personas que hablan español en el personal).
Women's Prison Book Project ·
c/o Boneshaker Books
2002 23rd Ave South · Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-871-7110 · www.wpbp.org
The Women’s Prison Book Project (WPBP) provides women and
transgender persons in prison with free reading materials covering a wide
range of topics from law and education (dictionaries, GED, etc.) to fiction,
politics, history, and women’s health. Women prisoners only and no jail
requests. WPBP also has a free resource guide for women and trans
prisoners and a newsletter which publishes prisoner articles. Ofrecen
materiales de lectura en Español.
LGBT ORGANIZATIONS AND RESOURCES
Black and Pink
614 Columbia Rd · Dorchester, MA 02125
617-519-4387 · www.blackandpink.org
Black and Pink is a volunteer organization that lists LGBTQ on a pen-pal
website, distributes a monthly newsletter of primarily queer/trans prisoner
writing, and advocates for specific prisoner needs when possible while also
working to abolish the Prison Industrial Complex as a whole. May not timely
respond to letters. In addition to Mass headquarters, has chapters in Boise,
Buffalo, Chicago, Denver, New Orleans, NYC, San Diego, and San
Francisco.
East Bay Prisoner Support
PO Box 22449 · Oakland, CA 94609
www.eastbayprisonersupport.wordpress.com
Sends free anarchist and other literature to prisoners in CA, AZ, NM, TX, UT
and NV. Sends zines to queer, trans and women prisoners in any state.
Write to receive a catalog.
GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD)
30 Winter St, Suite 800 · Boston, MA 02108
617-426-1350 · www.glad.org
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 handles legal issues involving
GLBTQ and HIV positive prisoners. Will refer out non-New England prison
issues. Also has a New England centered resource guide.

5

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.
Lesbian and Gay Insurrection
3543 18th St #26 · San Francisco, CA 94110
510-434-1304 · www.lagai.org
LAGAI is a grassroots organization doing direct action and education for
radical social change from a queer perspective. Produces the bimonthly
newspaper “ULTRAVIOLET,” which is free to prisoners.
LGBT Books to Prisoners ·
c/o Social Justice Center Incubator
1202 Williamson St #1 · Madison, WI 53703 https://lgbtbookstoprisoners.org
Volunteer run organization that sends books and other educational
materials, free of charge, to LGBT-identified people in prison across the US.
Will send books in Spanish if available (enviar libros en Español si está
disponible).
Prisoner Correspondence Project
QPIRG Concordia · c/o Concordia University
1455 de Maisonneuve Ouest · Montréal, QC H3G 1M8
514-848-7583 · www.prisonercorrespondenceproject.com
PCP is a collectively run solidarity project based out of Montreal, Quebec. It
coordinates a direct-correspondence program for gay, lesbian, intersex,
transsexual, transgender, gendervariant, two-spirit, bisexual and queer
inmates in Canada and the United States, linking them with people who are
a part of these same communities outside of prison. Letters to PCP in
Canada cost $1.15 in US postage. Has pen pals who speak/write French.
The Transformative Justice Law Project
203 N Lasalle, Suite 2100 · Chicago, IL 60640
312-558-1472 · www.tjlp.org
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.
Transgender Law Center
PO Box 70976 · Oakland, CA 94612-0976
510-380-8229 (accepts collect calls) · transgenderlawcenter.org
Transgender Law Center’s Detention Project works to end the abuses
transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) people experience in
prisons, jails, immigration detention, state hospitals, and other forms of
detention, and at the hands of law enforcement. Write them concerning
TGNC issues, or to obtain copies of their list of available reports and
publications including Safety Inside: Problems Faced by Transgender
Prisoners and Common Sense Solutions to Them, and Advocating for
Yourself While in Custody in California. To learn more about the Detention
Project, please contact Detention Project Director, Flor Bermudez..
Detention Project direct line: 510-380-8229 (Inmates and detainees can call
Transgender Law Center collect at this line). Hay publicaciones en Español.

Hearts on a Wire
William Way Center
1315 Spruce Street · Philadelphia, PA 19107
https://www.scribd.com/user/78046739/Hearts-on-a-Wire
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.

Transgender, Gender Variant, and Intersex (TGI) Justice Project
370 Turk St #370 · San Francisco, CA 94102
415-554-8491 · www.tgijp.org
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 RisePrison 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. They answer letters
regularly, but expect delay.

Lambda Legal
120 Wall St, 19th Floor · New York, NY 10005-3919
212-809-8585 · www.lambdalegal.org
Lambda Legal carries out its legal work principally through test cases
selected for the likelihood of their success in establishing positive legal

Tranzmission Prison Books Project
PO Box 1874 · Asheville, NC 28802
610-507-9086 · tranzmission.org/prison-project.html
Tranzmission Prison Project is a queer- and trans-powered prison abolition
organization that provides free literature and resources for incarcerated

This 24-page resource directory has been published by the Prison Activist Resource Center, PO Box 70447,
Oakland, CA, 94612, 510-893-4648. If included, please mail back the evaluation form with any updates.

PARC National Prisoner Resource Directory – June 2018
members of the LGBTQ community. Also publishes a queer-friendly
National Prison Resource List.
DEATH PENALTY RESOURCES
Campaign to End the Death Penalty
PO Box 25730 · Chicago, IL 60625
773-955-4841 · www.nodeathpenalty.org
A national grassroots abolitionist organization that works with prisoners,
family members and organizers. Their publication “The New Abolitionist,” is
now available only online.
Death Penalty Information Center
1015 18th St NW, Suite 704 · Washington, DC 20036
202-289-2275 · deathpenaltyinfo.org
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 a current list of their publications.
National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty
1620 L St NW, Suite 250 · Washington, DC 20036
202-331-4090 · www.ncadp.org
Publishes “Lifelines,” a quarterly newspaper about what’s going on in the
struggle for death penalty abolition. They do not offer legal resources.
The Other Death Penalty Project
PO Box 1486 · Lancaster, CA 93584
www.theotherdeathpenalty.org
A national, grassroots, organizing campaign founded and managed by life
without the possibility of parole prisoners with the goal of ending the other
death penalty. Through peaceful, nonviolent activism, the Project hopes to
join in the death penalty abolition movement to end ALL forms of the death
penalty, including death by incarceration. The Project cannot respond by
mail to each letter received. Instead, outside family and friends may print out
materials from the website and mail them in.
HEALTH RESOURCES
Hepatitis C Support Project
HCV ADVOCATE · PO Box 15144
Sacramento, CA 95813 · www.hcvadvocate.org
HCSP’s mission is to provide unbiased information, support, and advocacy
to all communities affected by HCV. They offer 12 separate fact sheets on
HepC, available on request
Prison Health News
1207 Chestnut St, 2nd Fl · Philadelphia, PA 19107 · 215-525-0460 X 417
www.fight.org/programs-and-services/prison-health-news
Prison Health News is a quarterly newsletter and health resource. Their
newsletter is published four times a year for people in prison and strives to
lift up the voices, experience and expertise of currently and formerly
incarcerated people. They respond to all types of health questions from
people in prisons and jails everywhere in the United States. Write to them for
a free subscription or with health questions. Past issues are online.
Prison Yoga Project
PO Box 415 · Bolinas, CA 94924 · https://prisonyoga.org
Prison Yoga Project offers two free yoga manuals written especially for
people in prison. A Path for Healing and Recovery offers physical practices
(asana), breathing practices (pranayama) and meditation (dyhana) to
improve mental, emotional and physical well-being. The book also serves as
a powerful resource for anyone trying to break free of negative behavioral
patterns. A Woman’s Practice: Healing from the Heart offers a simple and
clear guide for women, whether who wish to use yoga to help heal
themselves from trauma, stress or addiction.
NATIONWIDE AND REGIONAL BOOK PROGRAMS
Antioch College Books to Prisoners Project
One Morgan Place · Yellow Springs, Ohio 45387

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New group committed to developing discourse and action related to
incarceration and the criminal "justice" system. They provide free books and
zines to incarcerated persons in the US.
Appalachian Prison Book Project
PO Box 601 · Morgantown, WV 26507
www.aprisonbookproject.wordpress.com
The Appalachian Prison Book Project provides books to prisoners in the
Appalachian region only; KY, MD, OH, TN, VA, & WV.
Books Through Bars
4722 Baltimore Ave · Philadelphia, 19143
215-727-8170 · www.booksthroughbars.org
Sends free books to individual prisoners only in DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA, VA, &
WV. Request by topic (not exact title or author), and provide several areas of
interest if possible.
Books to Prisoners
c/o Left Bank Books · 92 Pike St, Box A · Seattle, WA 98101
206-527-3339 · www.bookstoprisoners.net
Books to Prisoners provides free books to prisoners nationwide. Request by
subject; very few religious or legal materials. They do not ship to prisons that
require all books sent be new. No male California requests.
DC Books to Prisoners
PO Box 34190 · Washington, DC 20043
dcbookstoprisoners.org
Request reading material by prioritized subjects and list prison restrictions if
known. Books shipped to all states except CA, CT, FL, IL, MA, ME, NH, NJ,
NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, VT, WA, & WI
Louisiana Books 2 Prisoners
1631 Elysian Fields #117 · New Orleans, LA 70117
www.lab2p.wordpress.com
Provides free books to women prisoners in any state, as well as to male
prisoners in these four states only: AL, AR, MS, and LA. Letters from
Louisiana and women prisoners are given priority.
Midwest Books to Prisoners
c/o Quimbys Bookstore ·
1321 N Milwaukee Ave, PMB # 460
Chicago, IL 60622 · 312-842-7390 · midwestb2p.com
Provides books to prisoners in the following states: IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN,
MO, NE, OH, ND, SD & WI.
Midwest Pages to Prisoners Project
PO Box 1324 · Bloomington, IN 47402
812-727-0155 · www.pagestoprisoners.org
Midwest Pages to Prisoners provides free books to prisoners in these nine
Midwest states only: IA, IN, KS, MN, MO, ND, NE, OK, & SD.
NYC Books Through Bars
c/o Bluestockings Bookstore · 172 Allen St · New York, NY 10002
www.booksthroughbarsnyc.org
Specializes in political and history books, as well as literary fiction and other
educational books with a priority for NY prisoners. Fills requests from all
states except AL, FL, LA, MA, MI, MS, NC, PA, OH & WI.
Prison Book Program · c/o Lucy Parsons Bookstore
1306 Hancock St, Suite 100 · Quincy, MA 02169
617-423-3298 · www.prisonbookprogram.org
Sends books to prisoners in all states except CA, IL, MD, MI, NV, and TX.
Offers a free 6-page “National Prisoner Resource List,” and a free resource
list for LGBTQ. No book orders sent to jails.
Prisoners Literature Project
c/o Bound Together Bookstore
1369 Haight St · San Francisco, CA 94117
415-672-7858 · www.prisonlit.org
The Prisoners Literature Project is an all-volunteer grassroots organization
that sends free books to prisoners across the U.S (except Texas). Request
types of books, not specific titles.

This 24-page resource directory has been published by the Prison Activist Resource Center, PO Box 70447,
Oakland, CA, 94612, 510-893-4648. If included, please mail back the evaluation form with any updates.

PARC National Prisoner Resource Directory – June 2018

Providence Books Through Bars
42 Lenox Ave · Providence, RI 02907-1910
401-356-0388 · www.providencebtb.org
Providence Books Through Bars is a volunteer grassroots book program
that fills requests for books from prisoners nationwide. Books may be
requested by subject.
The Prison Library Project
915-C W Foothill Bl, PMB 128 · Claremont, CA 91711-3356
909-626-3066 · www.prisonlibraryproject.org
The Prison Library Project provides educational books, self-help,
personal/spiritual growth, wellness, general fiction and non-fiction. Does not
send books to county jails or city jails; nor to prisons in HA, ME, MI, MS, NE,
NV, VA, or WI.
BOOKS AND MAGAZINES - VENDORS AND PUBLISHERS
Edward R. Hamilton Books
PO Box 15 · Falls Village, 06031-0015
www.hamiltonbook.com
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; & Bargain Books.
Freebird Publishers
PO Box 541 · North Dighton, MA 02764
888-712-1987 or 774-406-8682 · www.FreebirdPublishers.com
Freebird Publishers offers prisoner publications including titles such as
Inmate Shopper, Cell Chef Cookbook, Life With A Record, Start Thinking
Outside Prison, and other books, guides, newsletters, collectible artwork
photos, greeting cards, and niche items created for and by incarcerated
individuals. Send for their packet of color brochures, and include a preaddresses stamped envelope for faster service.
Haymarket Books
PO Box 180165 · Chicago, IL 60618
773-583-7884 · www.haymarketbooks.org
Haymarket Books is a radical book distributor and publisher. 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. Write for a
copy of their catalog (discounts for prisoners).
Inmate Magazine Service
PO Box 2063 · Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549
855-936-4674 · www.inmatemagazineservice.com
Magazine subscription service for prisoners. Offers specials such as 3 full
year subscriptions for $15 and 6 for $20. Write for their order form.
InmateMags.com
1207 N 200th, #108 · Seattle, WA 98133
206-322-6397 877-324-7323 · www.inmatemags.com
InmateMags.com provides single issues and monthly subscriptions for
almost 2000 different magazines. Send $3, or ten 49¢ or Forever stamps for
their full 56-page catalog. With it you’ll receive a $3 coupon good for $3 off
your first order. Orders may also be called in or placed online by family or
friends, who can also establish deposit accounts for prisoners who may then
directly submit orders by mail.
Pathfinder Press
PO Box 162767 · Atlanta, GA 30321-2767
404-669-0600 (voice mail only) · www.pathfinderpress.com Pathfinder Press
carries books on the works of revolutionary and working class leaders, in
English, Spanish, French, Farsi, Arabic, Swedish, Greek, Chinese, Russian,
and Indonesian. 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.
PM Press
PO Box 23912 · Oakland, CA 94623

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510-658-3906 · www.pmpress.org
PM Press carries counter-culture, anti-prison, and similar titles including The
Prison-Industrial Complex and the Global Economy, The Debt Resisters’
Operations Manual, and Until the Rulers Obey. Prisoners receive a 50%
discount. Write for a free catalog.
Prison Publications
PO Box 174 · Thompson, CT 06277
860-928-4055 · www.prisonpublications.com
Prison Publications has been serving prisoner's book and magazine needs
in jails and prisons for almost 8 years. They offer gently used books and
discounted magazine subscriptions, with over 800 titles from which to select.
To obtain a copy of their book/magazine catalog, write them directly, or have
one ordered from their website.
San Quentin News
1 Main St · San Quentin, CA 94964 · sanquentinnews.com
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 copy through the mail, send $1.61 in postage. This process should
be repeated every month for each new edition.
The Angolite
Louisiana State Penitentiary · Angola, LA 70712
The Angolite is published and edited by prisoners at the Louisiana State
Penitentiary in Angola, LA. Subscriptions are $20 per year.
The Prison Mirror · c/o Pat Pawlak
970 Pickett St N · Bayport, MN 55003-1490 · 651-779-2700
www.doc.state.mn.us/PAGES/index.php/facilities/adult-facilities/stillwater/
The Prison Mirror is published monthly by and for the men of the Minnesota
Stillwater Correctional Facility. Subscriptions are $12. The Prison Mirror was
founded in 1887 and is the oldest continuously published prison newspaper
in the United States.
Tightwad Magazine
PO Box 1941 (PARC) · Buford, GA 30515
Tightwad Magazine offers a list of discounted magazines and subscriptions
for prisoners, and a catalog of gifts for their loved ones. Write for a copy and
mention PARC for an extra bonus coupon. Sending a pre-addressed
stamped envelope speeds delivery.
NEWSLETTERS AND MAGAZINES
Denver Anarchist Black Cross
PO Box 11236 · Denver, CO 80211
https://denverabc.wordpress.com
The Denver Anarchist Black Cross exists to contribute to the defense of
social movements, both internally and externally, working against
oppression everywhere. Questions, concerns, comments, ideas, and/or
wishes to collaborate or participate, please contact Denver ABC at the
above address.
Maoist Internationalist Ministry of Prisons
PO Box 40799 · San Francisco, CA 94140
www.prisoncensorship.info
Maoist Internationalist Ministry of Prisons (MIM) is a revolutionary
antiimperialist group fighting criminal injustice, helping prisoners to organize
and educate themselves. Sends books to prisoners, and offers prisoners a
free subscription to their newspaper Under Lock & Key.
News & Letters
228 South Wabash, Suite 230 · Chicago, IL 60604
312-431-8242 · www.newsandletters.org
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.

This 24-page resource directory has been published by the Prison Activist Resource Center, PO Box 70447,
Oakland, CA, 94612, 510-893-4648. If included, please mail back the evaluation form with any updates.

PARC National Prisoner Resource Directory – June 2018
Prisoner Express
Cornell University · 127 Anabel Taylor Hall · Ithaca, NY 14853
607-255-6486 · www.prisonerexpress.org
Prisoner Express promotes rehabilitation by offering inmates information,
education and the opportunity for creative self-expression in a public forum.
Their semi-annual newsletter contains a description of various projects
including poetry, essay writing, art, math, history, book club and chess
programs. Prisoner Express also offers distance learning programs as well
as a prisoner art program. Some of their distance learning programs include
World History, a US History reading group, and a Math Education module.
Slingshot Magazine
PO Box 3051 · Berkeley, 94703
510-540-0751 x3 · slingshot.tao.ca/about.html
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.
South Chicago ABC Zine Distro
PO Box 721 · Homewood, IL 60430
www.chicagoabc.org/justice_zines.htm
Offers a wide variety of political zines at low cost to prisoners. Specializes in
helping get the truth out of the gulags, in zine form. Supports prisoner
initiatives such as prison labor unions. Also offers zines for women
prisoners. English only.
HIGHER EDUCATION
Adams State University Prison College Program
Office of Extended Studies, Attn: Jim Bullington
208 Edgemont Bl, Suite 3000 · Alamosa, CO 81101 · 303-241-0550
https://www.adams.edu/extended_studies/undergrad/prisoncollegeprogram.
php
Adams State University has a long history of offering print-based
correspondence courses to incarcerated students in all states. The following
undergraduate correspondence courses are offered: Anthropology, Art,
Business, Counseling, Criminal Justice, Economics, Education, English,
Geology, Health Care Administration, History, History/Government,
Philosophy, Human Performance & Physical Education, Mathematics,
Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and
Women's Studies. In addition, the following graduate degrees are available:
Associate of Arts-Business emphasis, Associate of Science-Business
emphasis, Bachelor of Arts-Business Administration, Bachelor of ScienceBusiness Administration, Bachelor of Arts-Sociology, Bachelor of ArtsEnglish/Liberal Arts, Bachelor of Arts-Interdisciplinary Studies, Bachelor of
Arts-Political Science, and Bachelor of Arts-History. Write for their packet of
information.
Blackstone Career Institute
PO Box 3717 · Allentown, 18106-0717
610-871-0031 or 800-826-9228
https://blackstone.edu/paralegal-courses-inmate-information
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 is reasonably priced, 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.
Ohio University Correctional Education
Haning Hall 102 1 Ohio University · Athens, OH 45701
800-444-2420 · https://www.ohio.edu/ecampus/print/correctional
Since 1974, Ohio University’s Correctional Education has provided an
opportunity for incarcerated students in all states to study through printbased courses, to earn college credit, and work toward an Ohio University
degree. Degrees offered: Associate in Applied Business, Associate in Arts,
Associate in Individualized Studies, Associate in Science, Bachelor of

8

Specialized Studies, and Bachelor of Technical and Applied Studies. Write
for a copy of the Student Inquiry Packet.
Ohio University Southern - Legal Studies
Continuing Education
1804 Liberty Ave · Ironton, OH 45638 · 740-533-4588
https://www.ohio.edu/ecampus/print/certificate.html#anchor
Ohio University Southern provides the following noncredit Legal Studies
Certificate Courses to incarcerated students in all states, in a text-based
format: Paralegal Certificate; Advanced Paralegal Certificate (requires the
Paralegal Certificate); Alternative Dispute Resolution; Legal Investigation;
Legal Secretary; and Victim Advocacy.
Upper Iowa University
Center for Distance Education
PO Box 1857 · Fayette, IA 52142 · 563-425-5784 or 800-553-4150 ·
www.uiu.edu/online/self-paced/courses.html
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.
Associate Degrees offered: General Business, Liberal Arts, Psychology.
Bachelor of Science Degrees offered: Business Administration,
Management, Psychology, Public Administration (law and fire science
areas), and Social Science. Undergraduate Minors offered: Management
and Psychology.
REHABILITATION / NONVIOLENCE PROGRAMS
CURE-SORT
PO Box 1022 · Norman, OK 73070-1022
405-639-7262 · www.cure-sort.org
CURE-SORT (Sex Offenders Restored through Treatment) has information,
resources, contacts, and support to individuals, families, defense attorneys,
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).
Narcotics Anonymous
PO Box 9999 · Van Nuys, CA 91409
818-773-9999 · www.na.org
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. También ofrece literatura en
Español, incluyendo Entre Rejas.
RELIGIOUS PROGRAMS / SPIRITUAL RESOURCES
Aleph Institute
9540 Collins Ave · Surfside, FL 33154-7127
305-864-5553 · aleph-institute.org
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.
Anthroposophical Prison Outreach Project
1923 Geddes Ave · Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734-662-9355 x38 · www.anthroposophy.org
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 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.

This 24-page resource directory has been published by the Prison Activist Resource Center, PO Box 70447,
Oakland, CA, 94612, 510-893-4648. If included, please mail back the evaluation form with any updates.

PARC National Prisoner Resource Directory – June 2018

Compassion Works For All
PO Box 7708 · Little Rock, AR 72217-7708
www.compassionworksforall.org
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.
Islamic Society of North America
PO Box 38 · Plainfield, IN 46168
317-839-8157 · www.isna.net
Sends Qurans and other introductory books on Islamic study to prison
libraries and inmates. Ability to send books depends on the prison’s policies.
No catalog available; write to receive books.
Jewish Prisoner Services International
PO Box 85840 · Seattle, WA 98145-1840
206-985-0577 · jpsi.org
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. They are limited to assisting Jewish prisoners
and their families only.
Paul Brunton Philosophic Foundation Prison Project
4936 NYS Route 414 · Burdett, NY 14818
dharmacompanions.wordpress.com/
Offers nonsectarian books What is Karma? and Meditations for People in
Crisis, free to US prisoners.
Prison Ashram Project
Human Kindness · Foundation PO Box 61619 · Durham, NC 27715
919-383-5160 · www.humankindness.org/prison-ashram-project
The Human Kindness Foundation's (HKF) Prison-Ashram Project sends free
books to inmates all over the world, with most of their materials written by
the late Bo Lozoff. HKF stresses 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
for their newsletter and list of available books.
Prison Mindfulness Institute
PO Box 206 · South Deerfield, MA 01373
401-941-0791 · prisonmindfulness.org
The PMI's mission is to provide prisoners, prison staff and prison volunteers,
with the most effective, evidence-based tools for rehabilitation, selftransformation, and personal & professional development. Their dual focus
is on transforming individual lives as well as transforming the corrections
system as a whole in order to mitigate its extremely destructive impact on
families, communities and the overall social capital of our society. PMI also
publishes a variety of prisoner support literature including their Guide to
Prison Survival.
Rock of Ages Prison Ministry
c/o Prisoners Bible Institute ·
PO Box 2308 · Cleveland, TN 37320
423-479-3243 · www.roapm.com
Offers ministry outreach to prisons, schools, and the military as well as a
New Testament correspondence study course through their Prisoners Bible
Institute. Operates internationally.
Set Free Prison Ministries
PO Box 5440 · Riverside, CA 92517
909-787-9907 · www.setfreeprisonministries.org
Provides Bible study courses in English and Spanish to inmates and their
family, free of charge, all throughout the United States. Their curriculum
consists of Bible courses from the Navigators in Colorado Springs, Moody
Bible Institute in Chicago, and Emmaus Correspondence School in Iowa.
SYDA Foundation Yoga Prison Project

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PO Box 99140 · Emeryville, CA 94662
510-898-2700 · www.siddhayoga.org/syda-foundation/prison-project
The Prison Project is dedicated to disseminating the Siddha Yoga teachings
and practices to incarcerated individuals. Sends free monthly newsletter and
the Siddha Yoga Home Study Course to prisoners.
STATE BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND RESOURCES
ALABAMA
Aid to Inmate Mothers
PO Box 986 · Montgomery, AL 36101-0986
334-262-2245 · www.inmatemoms.org
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.
Georgia Innocence Project
2645 N Decatur Rd · Decatur, GA 30033
404-373-4433 · ga-innocenceproject.org
Accepts cases of actual innocence in Georgia and Alabama; DNA and nonDNA cases; will consider arson and shaken baby syndrome cases; no
sentence requirements.
Prison Books Collective
PO Box 625 · Carrboro, NC 27510
919-443-9238 · https://prisonbooks.info
The Prison Books Collective is a Chapel Hill, NC-based anti-prison group
that sends books to prisoners in Alabama and North Carolina only,
maintains an extensive radical ‘zine catalog, widely distributes a monthly
poster promoting political prisoner support, and publishes prisoners’ art and
writing.
The Alabama Prison Arts + Education Project
203 Spidle Hall · Auburn, AL 36849
334-844-8946 · www.humsci.auburn.edu/apaep
This program is administered by Auburn University and dedicated to bringing
educational opportunities to prisoners in Alabama. It provides a quality
education to the adult prison population, and builds a relationship with
learning that will continue to grow for the rest of their lives.
ALASKA
Alaska Innocence Project
PO Box 201656 · Anchorage, AK 99520-1656
907-279-0454 · www.alaskainnocence.org
The Alaska Innocence Project provides legal, educational, and charitable
services to identify and exonerate individuals who have been wrongfully
convicted in the state of Alaska.
ARIZONA
Arizona Justice Project
Arizona State University, MC 4420
411 N Central Ave, Suite 600 ·Phoenix, AZ 85004-2139
602-496-0286 · www.azjusticeproject.org
The 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.
Middle Ground Prison Reform
139 E Encanto Dr · Tempe, AZ 85281
480-966-8116 · www.middlegroundprisonreform.org
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.

This 24-page resource directory has been published by the Prison Activist Resource Center, PO Box 70447,
Oakland, CA, 94612, 510-893-4648. If included, please mail back the evaluation form with any updates.

PARC National Prisoner Resource Directory – June 2018
10
Read Between the Bars
PO Box 1589 c/o Daily Planet Publishing · Tucson, AZ 85702
www.readbetweenthebars.com
Read Between the Bars is a grassroots collective in Tucson that originated
in March 2007. They focus on getting free books directly into the hands of
incarcerated women and men in the state of Arizona.

California's Parole Suitability Hearing Support
PO Box 1373 · Lake Elsinore, CA 92531 · 805-6-CAPSHS
Community guidance and support for California's incarcerated and their
loved ones specifically in preparing for upcoming Parole Suitability Hearings.
Members will review hearing transcripts from past parole board hearings and
provide suggestions on how to improve performance before the Board.

ARKANSAS
Midwest Innocence Project
605 47th St, Suite 222 · Kansas City, MO 64112
816-221-2166 · www.themip.org
Accepts cases of actual innocence in AR, IA, KS, MO, and NE; must have
more than 10 years left to serve on his/her sentence, and/or the applicant
must register as a sex offender; is not currently represented by an attorney;
and has NOT received the death penalty.

Center for Health Justice
900 Avila St, Suite 301 · Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-229-0985 · www.centerforhealthjustice.org
CHJ serves prisoners in the Los Angeles County Jails and throughout CA,
and provides a free national prisoner HIV prevention & treatment hotline
service that accepts collect calls from inmates during regular business hours
(Monday-Friday 8 to 3pm, PT). Their hotline provides general HIV treatment
and prevention information, support for callers who are ill or newly
diagnosed HIV+, and advocacy support regarding medical care,
medications, or other health related issues inside the jails and prisons
across the country. CHJ also provides the following publications for
prisoners: HepC Inside and HIV Inside. Write for further information about
their services or to obtain copies of their publications.

CALIFORNIA
California Coalition for Women Prisoners
1540 Market St, Suite 490 · San Francisco, CA 94102
415-255-7036 ext. 4 · www.womenprisoners.org
CCWP is a grassroots social justice organization, with members inside and
outside prison, that challenges the institutional violence imposed on women,
transgender people, and communities of color by the prison industrial
complex. CCWP also visits women prisoners in CA and produces a
newsletter The Fire Inside, free to women prisoners.
California Families to Abolish Solitary Confinement
Chuco’s Justice Center · 1137 E Redondo Blvd · Inglewood, CA 90302
714-290-9077 / 213-746-4343 · www.solitarywatch.com/cfasc
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, with short-term
goals to reduce the use of solitary confinement and to insist on due process
and fairness. CFASC supports the five core demands put forth by the
Pelican Bay Hunger Strikers.
California Innocence Project
California Western School of Law
225 Cedar St · San Diego, CA 92101
619-525-1485 · californiainnocenceproject.org
The California Innocence Project (CIP) only accepts cases 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. The CIP does not limit its review
process 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 in support
of the claim.
California Lifer Newsletter
PO Box 277 · Rancho Cordova, CA 95741
916-402-3750 · www.lifesupportalliance.org
California Lifer Newsletter (CLN) is a comprehensive newsletter published
six times per year, 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. Subscriptions to CLN
for prisoners are $35 (or 100 stamps) per year (back issues are $7 or 25
stamps each); for non-prisoners the subscription rate is $90 per year.
California Prison Focus
1904 Franklin St, Suite 507 · Oakland, CA 94612
510-836-7222 · www.prisons.org
California Prison Focus (CPF) is a human rights 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, $6 a year to other prisoners, and $20 a year to former
prisoners, their family members, activists, and friends of CPF

Centerforce
PO Box 415 · San Quentin, CA 94964
415-456-9980 · www.centerforce1.org
Centerforce is one of few agencies in the U.S. to offer a continuum of
services for individuals and families during incarceration, reentry and after
release. They are headquartered in San Quentin and provide direct services
to prisoners in Santa Rita Jail and four state prisons. In addition, Centerforce
provides direct services to communities and families of the incarcerated in
Oakland, San Francisco, the Bay Area Counties, and Fresno and Madera
Counties. Centerforce also specializes in providing health and family
supportive services to incarcerated men and women and those reentering
their communities of origin after incarceration. May not respond to letters.
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
3075 Adeline St, Suite 210 · Berkeley, CA 94703
510-644-2555 · www.dredf.org
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.
Federal Receiver - J. Clark Kelso
California Prison Receivership · PO Box 588500 · Elk Grove, CA 95758
916-691-3000 · www.cphcs.ca.gov/receiver.aspx
In 2002, California settled a class-action lawsuit by agreeing to reform their
medical care system, and the federal court appointed a federal Receiver to
oversee the reform process. The receiver’s job is to bring the level of
medical care in California prisons to a standard which no longer violates the
U.S. Constitution. Prisoner patients under the control of the CDCR and their
families may write to the above address with concerns about health care
issues (except for mental health, dental, or substance abuse and treatment).
Friends Committee on Legislation of California
1225 8th St, Suite 220 · Sacramento, CA 95814-4809
916-443-3734 · www.fclca.org
Quaker founded group that advocates and lobbies for CA state laws that are
just, compassionate, and respectful of the inherent worth of every person.
They publish a free quarterly periodical, the FCLCA Newsletter, which keeps
track of pending legislation.
Friends Outside
7272 Murray Dr · Stockton, CA 95204
209-955-0701 · www.friendsoutside.org
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

This 24-page resource directory has been published by the Prison Activist Resource Center, PO Box 70447,
Oakland, CA, 94612, 510-893-4648. If included, please mail back the evaluation form with any updates.

PARC National Prisoner Resource Directory – June 2018
11
welcoming place to stop for a moment before and after visits. May not
respond to letters.

economic stability post-release; and to prepare them to become providers,
leaders, and examples for their families and communities.

Innocence Matters
PO Box 1098 · Torrance, CA 90505
310-755-2518 · www.innocencematters.org
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: the defendant is indigent; the accused is factually
innocent and willing to submit to and pass a polygraph exam; case
originates in Los Angeles County; he or she has already been rejected by a
California Innocence Project; and Innocence Matters is not already at
capacity. To be considered for Direct Post-Conviction Representation, send
a letter to the above address.

Prisoner Reentry Network
PO Box 7155 · Oakland, CA 94612
www.prisonerreentrynetwork.org
Prisoner Reentry Network (PRN) is dedicated to promoting successful
transitions from incarceration to the community, and is located in Oakland,
CA. Write for their list of reentry resources. PRN also provides free copies of
the Veterans Administration’s Guidebook for Incarcerated California
Veterans.

Legal Services for Prisoners with Children
1540 Market St, Suite 490
San Francisco, CA 94102
415-255-7036 · www.prisonerswithchildren.org
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
Proposition 47. They also publish A Manual on SSI/SSDI for Prisoners and
Their Advocates.
Loyola Law School's Project for the Innocent
Alarcón Advocacy Center
919 Albany St · Los Angeles, CA 90015
213-736-8141
www.lls.edu/academics/experientiallearning/clinics/clinics/projectfortheinnoc
ent
Loyola Law School’s Project for the Innocent is dedicated to the exoneration
of the wrongfully convicted. If after a thorough investigation of a case, a true
claim of innocence is provable, clinic students will help draft a habeas
petition so that the case can be litigated in court. The Project is only able to
represent inmates from the state of California who claim factual innocence,
have exhausted all their appeals, and are no longer represented by an
attorney.
Northern California Innocence Project
Santa Clara University School of Law
900 Lafayette St, Suite 105 · Santa Clara, CA 95050
408-554-4790 · law.scu.edu/ncip
Accepts cases of actual innocence in Northern and Central CA; DNA and
non-DNA; case three or more years left to serve. The applicant must have
been convicted in CA state court of a serious felony or a three-strikes
sentence. Will consider shaken baby syndrome, police misconduct,
ineffective counsel, fire investigation, firearms and fingerprint analysis, false
confessions, prosecutorial misconduct, and death penalty issues.
Prison Law Office
General Delivery · San Quentin, CA 94964
510-280-2621 · www.prisonlaw.com
The Prison law Office litigates and monitors class action lawsuits regarding
medical care, mental health care, and disabled access for prisoners in
California only. Also distributes self-help legal material on a number of
topics. Write for list of available publications.
Prison University Project
PO Box 492 · San Quentin, CA 94964
415-455-8088 · www.prisonuniversityproject.org
The mission of the Prison University Project is to provide excellent higher
education programs to people incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison; to
create a replicable model for such programs; and to stimulate public
awareness and meaningful dialogue about higher education and criminal
justice in California. The central goals of the College Program at San
Quentin are to educate and challenge students intellectually; to prepare
them to lead thoughtful and productive lives inside and outside of prison; to
provide them with skills needed to obtain meaningful employment and

Project AVARY
PO Box 150088 · San Rafael, CA 94915-0088
415-382-8799 · www.projectavary.org
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.
Project Rebound
San Francisco State University
1650 Holloway Ave, T-138 · San Francisco, CA 94132-1722
415-405-0954 · asi.sfsu.edu/programs/project-rebound
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. Must be formerly incarcerated; off or on
parole or probation, and living in or paroling to the SF Bay Area. Write to SF
State for program information.
In 2016, Project Rebound expanded statewide and is now in place at the
following California State Universities:
Project Rebound | CSU Bakersfield | 9001 Stockdale Hwy | Bakersfield, CA
93311 | 661-654-3782
www.csub.edu/admissionsandaid/student_support_programs
Project Rebound | CSU Fresno | 5241 N Maple Ave | McLane Hall,
H Wing, Rm 187 | Fresno, CA 93740 | 559-278-2313
www.fresnostate.edu/studentaffairs/projectrebound/index.html
Project Rebound | CSU Fullerton | 800 N State College Blvd | Fullerton, CA
92831 | 657-278-7859 | www.fullerton.edu/rebound
Project Rebound | CSU Los Angeles | Center for Engagement | 5151 State
University Dr | Los Angeles, CA 90032 | 323-343-3380 |
www.calstatela.edu/engagement/project-rebound
Project Rebound | CSU Sacramento | 6000 J St, MS 6085 | Sacramento,
CA 95819 | 916-278-6794 | csus.edu/student/projectrebound
Project Rebound | CSU San Bernardino | 5500 University Parkway, FOB242 | San Bernardino, CA 92407 | 909-537-4351 |
https://www.csusb.edu/project-rebound
Project Rebound | San Diego State University | 5500 Campanile Dr, PSFA
153 | San Diego, CA | 619-594-2367 |
https://www.facebook.com/pg/projectreboundsdsu
Reentry Council of the City and County of San Francisco
880 Bryant St, Rm 200 · San Francisco, CA 94103
415-241-4254 · sfgov.org/reentry
The SF Reentry Council publishes a 216-page reentry resource guide
entitled Getting Out and Staying Out, for prisoners returning to the San
Francisco Bay area. Write to the above address for a free copy.
Root & Rebound
1730 Franklin St, Suite 300 · Oakland, CA 94612
510-279-4662 · www.rootandrebound.org/roadmap
Publishes the Roadmap to Reentry legal guide, a 1200+ page manual
written in clear, understandable language that helps people prepare for,
identify, understand, and navigate reentry barriers. The guide identifies
important things to do prior to release and provides a list of social service
and legal resources across the state of California. Roadmap to Reentry
covers ID & voting, parole & probation, housing, public benefits, court
ordered debt, employment, family & children, education, understanding and

This 24-page resource directory has been published by the Prison Activist Resource Center, PO Box 70447,
Oakland, CA, 94612, 510-893-4648. If included, please mail back the evaluation form with any updates.

PARC National Prisoner Resource Directory – June 2018
12
cleaning up a criminal record, and legal aid & community resources. The
guide is free to persons currently or formerly incarcerated in CA.
Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos
1817 Soquel Ave · Santa Cruz, CA 95062
831-457-8208 · www.barriosunidos.net
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.
Sentencing and Justice Reform Advocacy (SJRA) Advocate
PO Box 71 · Olivehurst, CA 95961
530-329-8566 · www.sjra1.com
SJRA Advocate contains useful and timely information on California prisoner
and prison issues. Prisoners may obtain six issues (one year) of SJRA
Advocate for $12 (or 25 Forever stamps), or four stamps for a single issue.
For all others the cost is $15 for six issues.
Stanford Justice Advocacy Project
Stanford Law School · 559 Nathan Abbott Way · Stanford, CA 94305
650-736-7757 · https://law.stanford.edu/stanford-justice-advocacy-project
The Stanford Justice Advocacy Project represents inmates serving unjust
prison sentences for minor crimes, assists released prisoners successfully
reentering their communities, and advocates for fairer and more effective
criminal justice policies in CA and across the country.
The Insight Prison Project
PO Box 29 · San Quentin, CA 94964
415-459-9800 · www.insightprisonproject.org
IPP facilitates restorative justice programming within 19 prisons in California
and 25 total nationwide. IPP facilitates the process of healing and
integration through the development of insight and learning how to
effectively process difficult emotions, both of which often lead to an
awakening to one’s true self. The IPP curriculum is designed for
incarcerated populations to develop insight, practice new skills while in
classes, and then integrate these skills into all aspects of their lives outside
of group meetings and after leaving prison. Insight is the power of having a
clear or deep perception of a situation: understanding clearly. IPP’s method
for creating insight begins with awareness or self-awareness, a practice that
when engaged in literally increases one’s consciousness. IPP uses three
fundamental approaches for developing self-awareness.
COLORADO
Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition
1212 Mariposa St, Suite 6 · Denver, CO 80204
303-825-0122 · www.ccjrc.org
CCJRC publishes prisoner information guides, a free quarterly newsletter,
and a 200-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 total
cost is $13 ($10 + $3 S&H).
Korey Wise Innocence Project at Colorado Law
University of Colorado Law School · Wolf Law Building, 404 UCB Boulder,
CO 80309-0404 · 303-492-8126
www.colorado.edu/law/academics/clinics/korey-wise-innocence-project
The Korey Wise Innocence Project (KWIP) 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 arising in Colorado
will be accepted (state and federal). Write for a copy of the KWIP evaluation
criteria.
Unchained Books
PO Box 784 · Fort Collins, CO 80522
unchainedbooks.wordpress.com

Unchained Books is a small group in Fort Collins, CO committed to prisoner
support. Their primary focus is collecting donated books and making them
available free to people imprisoned in Colorado. Individual prisoners
request books based on subject areas and they fill requests as best as the
inventory allows.
CONNECTICUT
Connecticut Innocence Project
Division of Public Defender Services · 82275 Silas Deane Hwy
Rocky Hill, CT 06067 · 860-509-6400 · www.ct.gov/ocpd/cwp
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.
Jerome N. Frank Legal Services Organization
Yale Law School · PO Box 209090 · New Haven, CT 06520
203-432-4800 · https://law.yale.edu/clinics/mass-incarceration
Offers limited legal services to CT federal and state prisoners, including
parole-related litigation, post-conviction, habeas corpus, prison conditions,
and direct referrals. Publishes Connecticut Prisoners' Rights, which includes
a guide to resources for prisoners and ex-offenders, $4 if able to pay.
Because this program is university-affiliated, it may not be staffed during
transitional periods in the academic schedule.
New England Innocence Project
120 Tremont St, Suite 735 · Boston, MA 02108
617-830-7685 · www.newenglandinnocence.org
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.
DELAWARE
Office of the Public Defender
820 N French St, 3rd Floor · Wilmington, DE 19801
302-577-5200 · ods.delaware.gov
Accepts cases of actual innocence in Delaware; DNA cases only.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project
George Washington University Law School
2000 H St NW · Washington, DC 20052
202-994-4586 · www.exonerate.org
Accepts cases of actual innocence in state or federal courts in DC, MD, and
VA; DNA and non-DNA cases; no sentence requirements; arson and shaken
baby syndrome cases; may consider child abuse cases.
Office on Returning Citizen Affairs
2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE, Suite 100
Washington, DC 20020 · 202-715-7670
https://orca.dc.gov/page/commission-re-entry-and-returning-citizen-affairs
The Mayor's Office on Returning Citizen Affairs mission is to provide zealous
advocacy, high-quality services, and up-to-date useful information for the
empowerment of previously incarcerated persons in order to create a
productive and supportive environment where persons may thrive, prosper
and contribute to the social, political and economic development of self,
family, and community. Publishes a 13-page guide, DC Reentry Resources.
FLORIDA
Florida Institutional Legal Services
14260 West Newberry Road #412 · Newberry, FL 32669
407-801-4350 · floridalegal.org/our-projects
FILS serves people who are institutionalized in Florida. FILS publishes the
Florida Parental Rights Manual for Incarcerated Parents and their Families
(2008) 106 pages, which is available for download from their website or may
be obtained by writing the above address.
Florida Justice Institute
100 SE Second St, Suite 3750 · Miami, FL 33131-2309

This 24-page resource directory has been published by the Prison Activist Resource Center, PO Box 70447,
Oakland, CA, 94612, 510-893-4648. If included, please mail back the evaluation form with any updates.

PARC National Prisoner Resource Directory – June 2018
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305-358-2081 · www.floridajusticeinstitute.org
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. They do not assist
with criminal law cases or habeas corpus petitions.
Innocence Project of Florida
1100 E Park Avenue · Tallahassee, FL 32301
850-561-6767 · www.floridainnocence.org
Accepts cases of actual innocence in Florida; DNA and Non-DNA Cases
including arson and shaken baby syndrome cases. No sentence
requirements. Does not accept federal cases or cases on direct appeal.
Prison Book Project
c/o Open Books Bookstore
1040 N Guillemard St · Pensacola, FL 32501
850-453-6774 · www.openbookspcola.org
The Prison Book Project currently sends around 10,000 books each year to
indigent prisoners in Florida prisons, and serves approximately 2,600
prisoners each year.
University of Miami Law Innocence Clinic
1311 Miller Drive · Coral Gables, FL 33146
305-284-2339 · law.miami.edu/academics/clinics/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.
GEORGIA
Forever Family, Inc.
387 Joseph Lowery Bl, 2nd Floor, Suite A · Atlanta, GA 30310
404-223-1200 · www.foreverfam.org
Forever Family is an advocacy group for incarcerated parents which
provides helpful information for all parents in prison who have children, but
can only provide social services in the Atlanta area.
Georgia Innocence Project
2645 N Decatur Rd · Decatur, GA 30033
https://www.georgiainnocenceproject.org
Accepts cases of actual innocence in Georgia and Alabama; DNA and nonDNA cases; will consider arson and shaken baby syndrome cases; no
sentence requirements.
Southern Center for Human Rights
83 Poplar St NW · Atlanta, GA 30303-2122
404-688-1202 · www.schr.org
The Southern Center for Human Rights provides legal representation to
people facing the death penalty in Georgia and Alabama only, and also
publishes a Parolee Handbook, which serves as a guide the parole
consideration process for people in Georgia's prisons. SCHR also publishes
The Georgia Advocacy Handbook, a 46 page manual which helps explain
the hierarchy in the GDC and how to maneuver within in it. Through this
handbook families and friends of people incarcerated in Georgia will learn
how to become advocates and implement appropriate and effective steps to
resolve problems inside Georgia prisons.
HAWAI’I
Community Alliance on Prisons
PO Box 37158 · Honolulu, HI 96837-0158
808-927-1214 · caphawaii.wordpress.com
A coalition that focuses on alternatives to incarceration, prison reform
legislative issues, community education, and effective interventions for
Hawaii’s non-violent offenders. CAP’s goal is to educate the community on
best practices and proven strategies for criminal justice and to involve the
greater community in these issues.

Hawai'i Innocence Project
University of Hawai'i School of Law
2515 Dole St · Honolulu, HI 96822
808-956-6547 · www.innocenceprojecthawaii.org
Accepts cases from prisoners who are currently incarcerated, serving a
lengthy sentence, convicted in Hawai'i, have a credible claim of factual
innocence of the crime(s), and evidence potentially exists which could
support the claim of factual innocence.
ILLINOIS
Chicago Innocence Center
205 West Monroe St, Suite 315 · Chicago, IL 60606
312-263-6213 · www.chicagoinnocencecenter.org
As investigative journalists, the Chicago Innocence Center primarily explores
and exposes cases involving murder (but not exclusively) in which the
inmate is facing life in prison or (outside but nearby Illinois) the death
penalty. For CIC to consider the case the inmate must claim actual
innocence, not, for example, self-defense or ‘I was there but didn’t do it.’
They seek cases of “pure innocence.” Unlike law-based innocence projects,
CIC only looks into cases where there is no DNA evidence available. To
have the CIC consider a case, please contact them.
Education Justice Project
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
403 East Healey St., MC-423 · Champaign, IL 61820
217-300-5150 · www.educationjustice.net
The Education Justice Project (EJP) publishes Mapping Your Future: A
Guide to Successful Reentry (2016-17 Ed), a 188-page reentry guide which
is free for Illinois prisoners. The guide identifies things to do prior to release
and provides a list of resources for after release. The EJP also offers college
level classes, writing programs, and reading groups for students
incarcerated at Danville Correctional Center.
Illinois Innocence Project
University of Illinois at Springfield,
Institute for Legal and Policy Studies
One University Plaza, MS PAC 451 · Springfield, IL 62703-5407
217-206-6569 · www.uis.edu/innocenceproject
Cases accepted: Cases of actual innocence in Illinois; DNA and non-DNA
cases; eight or more years left to serve. The prisoner must be seeking to
establish his/her actual innocence of the crime(s). The following factors are
considered: absence of physical evidence, reliability of eyewitnesses,
identification of alternative suspects, police or prosecutorial misconduct and
inconsistency of the nature of the crime as compared to the background of
the prisoner.
John Howard Association of Illinois
PO Box 10042 · Chicago, IL 60610-0042
312-291-9237 · www.thejha.org
The John Howard Association (JHA) is the only independent prison monitor
in Illinois, and visits over a dozen prisons per year. They then write reports
about prison conditions which are provided to prisoners and the public upon
request. JHA also advocates for reforms like sentencing credits and more
resources for prison programs. Write for further details or to request copies
of statutes, court decisions, forms, IDOC rules, etc.
People’s Law Office
1180 N Milwaukee Ave · Chicago, IL 60642-4019
773-235-0070 · www.peopleslawoffice.com
The 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.
The MacArthur Justice Center
Northwestern University School of Law
375 E Chicago Ave · Chicago, IL 60611
312-503-1271 · www.law.northwestern.edu/macarthur

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PARC National Prisoner Resource Directory – June 2018
14
The MacArthur Justice Center provides free legal representation to the
indigent in the Chicago, Illinois area. They focus on wrongful convictions,
fight police corruption, and address death penalty issues, to help ensure all
individuals receive fair and equal treatment within the legal system,
regardless of income, background or status.
Uptown People's Law Center
4413 N Sheridan · Chicago, IL 60640
773-769-1411 · www.uplcchicago.org
The Uptown People’s Law Center (UPLC) leverages the law to improve
conditions in Illinois prisons. UPLC has nine pending class action cases
against the Illinois Department of Corrections, including lawsuits about
solitary confinement, mental health treatment, and healthcare. Illinois
prisoners are encouraged to write to UPLC explaining any rights violations
they have experienced, as UPLC uses these letters to track trends and
inform its lawsuits. UPLC also provides prisoners with referrals to law firms
under certain circumstances.
Urbana-Champaign Books to Prisoners Project
PO Box 515 · Urbana, IL 61803
708-782-4608 · www.books2prisoners.org
UC Books to Prisoners is an Urbana, Illinois based project providing books
at no cost by mail to inmates in state and federal prisons in Illinois as well as
through two county jail libraries in Illinois.
INDIANA
McKinney Wrongful Conviction Clinic
Indiana University McKinney School of Law
530 W New York St, Rm 111 · Indianapolis, IN 46202-3225
317-274-5551
https://mckinneylaw.iu.edu/practice/clinics/clinics-wrongful-conviction.html
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 NonDNA Cases; will consider arson, Shaken Baby Syndrome, and child abuse
cases.
Oakland City University Prison Ministries Projects
138 N Lucretia St · Oakland City, IN 47660
812-749-1224 · www.oak.edu/about-ocu/prison-ministries.php
Educational opportunities offered to inmates in the following Indiana
facilities: Branchville Correctional Facility, Madison Correctional Facility,
Miami Correctional Facility, Rockville Correctional Facility, Newcastle
Correctional Facility and Indiana Women’s Prison. Degrees Offered:
Associates and Bachelor's Degrees. Programs Offered: Associate in Applied
Science in Culinary Arts, Food Service Mgmt, Heating/Air Conditioning and
Refrigeration, Welding, Horticulture, Computer Technology, Business
Administration, Human Services.
IOWA
Innocence Project of Iowa
19 South 7th St · Estherville, IA 51334
www.iowainnocence.org
Cases that the organization is most likely to accept include, but are not
necessarily limited to, the following: cases wherein scientific evidence may
be used to exonerate the prisoner of the crime; cases that arise out of
mistaken eyewitness identification; cases that arise out of false
confessions; cases that arise out of police, prosecutorial, or judicial neglect
or misconduct; cases that arise out of unreliable scientific methods, tests, or
procedures; cases that arise out of false witness testimony; and cases that
arise out of egregious defense counsel neglect or misconduct.
Midwest Innocence Project
605 W 47th St, Suite 222 · Kansas City, MO 64113
816-221-2166 · www.themip.org
Accepts cases of actual innocence in AR, IA, KS, MO, and NE; must have
more than 10 years left to serve on his/her sentence, and/or the applicant
must register as a sex offender; is not currently represented by an attorney;
and has NOT received the death penalty.

KANSAS
Lansing Correctional Facility Program
Donnelly College · 8 North 18th St · Kansas City, KS 66102
913-621-8730
www.donnelly.edu/programs/lansing-correctional-program.cfm
Donnelly College offers an on-site Associate Degree program to prisoners at
the Lansing Correctional Facility in Lansing, Kansas. As a Catholic
institution, this program has a Christian aim to assist prisoners and directly
complements the school’s founding mission “to provide education and
community services with personal concern for the needs and abilities of
each student, especially those who might not otherwise be served.”
Midwest Innocence Project
605 47th St, Suite 222 · Kansas City, MO 64112
816-221-2166 · www.themip.org
Accepts cases of actual innocence in AR, IA, KS, MO, and NE; have more
than 10 years left to serve on his/her sentence, and/or the applicant must
register as a sex offender; is not currently represented by an attorney; and
has NOT received the death penalty.
KENTUCKY
Kentucky Innocence Project
Department of Public Advocacy
100 Fair Oaks Lane, Suite 301 · Frankfort, KY 40601
502-564-3948 · dpa.ky.gov/who_we_are/KIP/Pages/KIP.aspx
In order to qualify for services from the 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.
LOUISIANA
Friends and Family of Louisiana's Incarcerated Children
1600 Oretha C. Haley Blvd · New Orleans, LA 70113
504-708-8376 · www.fflic.org
Families and Friends of Louisiana’s Incarcerated Children is a grassroots
membership-based organization working to transform the systems that put
children at risk of prison. Through empowerment, leadership development,
and training they strive to keep children from going to prison and support
those who have and their families. From the street level to the state level,
from meeting rooms to the state capitol, they are working to build a society
based on the principles of racial justice, human rights, and full participation
through our tireless fight for justice for youth.
Innocence Project New Orleans
4051 Ulloa Street · New Orleans, LA 70119
504-943-1902 · www.ip-no.org
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.
Tulane University Law Library
6329 Freret Street · New Orleans, LA 70118
Offers photocopies of case-law citations, law review articles, criminal
procedures, etc. to prisoners incarcerated in Louisiana jails & parish or state
prisons only (no federal prisoner requests). Requests should have specific
case cites, docket numbers or article titles, and are limited to one per month
and a maximum of 50 pages.
MAINE
Maine State Prison College Program
807 Cushing Rd · Warren, ME 04864
207-273-5300
prisonstudiesproject.org/2011/08/maine-state-prison-college-program
Program sponsored by University College at Rockland College offers
Associates and Bachelor's Degrees.

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PARC National Prisoner Resource Directory – June 2018
15
New England Innocence Project
120 Tremont St, Suite 735 · Boston, MA 02108
617-830-7685 · www.newenglandinnocence.org
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.
MARYLAND
Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project
George Washington University Law School
2000 H St NW · Washington, DC 20052
202-994-4586 · www.exonerate.org
Accepts cases of actual innocence in state or federal courts in DC, MD, and
VA; DNA and non-DNA cases; no sentence requirements; arson and shaken
baby syndrome cases; may consider child abuse cases.
University of Baltimore Innocence Project Clinic
1420 N Charles St · Baltimore, MD 21201
410-837-6543 · law.ubalt.edu/clinics/innocenceproject.cfm
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 posttrial litigation efforts to secure exonerations. Accepts cases of actual
innocence in Maryland; DNA and non-DNA cases.
MASSACHUSETTS
Boston University Prison Education Program
808 Commonwealth Ave, Room 230 · Boston, MA 02215
617-353-3025 · sites.bu.edu/pep
Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Liberal Studies in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Programs include accounting, English composition, Latin, biology, sociology,
marketing, acting, and language courses in Spanish, French, and Greek and
more. Offered for prisoners incarcerated at MCI Norfolk (men’s facility) and
MCI Framingham (women’s facility) only.
Coming Home Directory
Crime and Justice Institute at Community Resources for Justice
355 Boylston St · Boston, MA 02116
617-482-2520 · www.crj.org/cj
The Coming Home Reentry Resource Directory (2015) is a 129-page
compilation of services available to ex-offenders returning to or living in
communities in Greater Boston. The Directory presents important
information for ex-offenders, corrections practitioners and policymakers, as
well as those with an interest in accessing services for ex-offenders,
including their families and friends, volunteers and other service providers.
Committee for Public Counsel Services Innocence Program
21 McGrath Hwy · Somerville, MA 02143
617-623-0591 · https://www.publiccounsel.net/pc/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.
Harvard Prison Legal Assistance Project
Harvard Law School 108 Austin Hall · Cambridge, MA 02138
617-495-3127 · clinics.law.harvard.edu/plap
The Harvard Prison Legal Assistance Project provides direct in-person
service to indigent inmates, advocates for prisoners charged with violating
prison regulations, represents prisoners at the Parole Board and disciplinary
hearings, provides research assistance for domestic post-conviction,
reviews civil rights arguments, and offers other services to prisoners.
Because this program is university-affiliated, it may not be staffed during
transitional periods in the academic schedule.

New England Innocence Project
120 Tremont St, Suite 735 · Boston, MA 02108
617-830-7685 · www.newenglandinnocence.org
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.
Northeastern University Prisoners' Rights Clinic
Northeastern University School of Law
360 Huntington Ave · Boston, MA 02115 · 617-373-3628
www.northeastern.edu/law/experience/clinics/prisoners-rights.html
This Northeastern University program represents state prisoners in Eastern
Mass. in parole revocation, disciplinary, and classification hearings. Because
this program is university-affiliated, it may not be staffed during transitional
periods in the academic schedule.
Prisoners’ Legal Services of Massachusetts
10 Winthrop Square, 3rd Fl · Boston, MA 02110
617-482-2773 x104 · www.plsma.org/
Prisoners’ Legal Services promotes the safe, humane and lawful treatment
of Massachusetts prisoners through civil rights litigation, administrative
advocacy, client counseling, and outreach to policy makers and the public.
Their litigation priority areas are: Health Care, including mental health care;
Staff Assaults; Extreme Conditions of Confinement; and Segregation.
MICHIGAN
AFSC Michigan Criminal Justice Program
124 Pearl St, Suite 607 · Ypsilanti, MI 48197
734-761-8283 · www.prisoneradvocacy.org
AFSC's Michigan Criminal Justice Program advocates for over 1,500
Michigan prisoners and their families each year, building an "advocacy
network" throughout the state. The program encourages dialogue among
prisoners and the general public, and works for humane reform of the
criminal justice system and for the rights of prisoners. Michigan prisoners
may contact the program at 734-761-9796.
Michigan Innocence Clinic
701 South State St · Ann Arbor, MI 48109 · 734-763-9353
www.law.umich.edu/clinical/innocenceclinic/Pages/default.aspx
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.
Prison Creative Arts Project
435 S State St 3187 Angell Hall · Ann Arbor, MI 48109
734-647-7673 · www.lsa.umich.edu/english/pcap
The Prison Creative Arts Project (PCAP) facilitates fine arts, creative writing,
and theatre workshops in juvenile detention centers and prisons in Michigan.
PCAP also organizes an annual art exhibit by Michigan prisoners, with all
income going back to the artists. PCAP also publishes an annual journal of
creative writing by Michigan prisoners.
WMU-Cooley Law School Innocence Project
300 South Capitol Ave · Lansing, MI 48901
517-371-5140 · www.cooley.edu/clinics/innocence_project.html
Accepts cases of actual innocence in Michigan; DNA cases only; must be in
custody; no time requirement. As Innocence Project interns, students review
case files, screen applications, investigate facts, conduct interviews, analyze
cases, and represent innocent clients in court. Students assist assigned
attorneys with research and pleadings for post-conviction proceedings.
MINNESOTA
Innocence Project of Minnesota
1536 Hewitt Ave, MS-C1973 · St Paul, MN 55104
651-523-3152 · ipmn.org
The Minnesota Innocence Project investigates claims of wrongful conviction
from prisoners convicted of crimes in Minnesota, North Dakota and South
Dakota where DNA or other overwhelming evidence of innocence is present.

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PARC National Prisoner Resource Directory – June 2018
16
Legal Assistance to Minnesota Prisoners
Mitchell Hamline School of Law
875 Summit Ave · St Paul, MN 55105 · 651-290-6458
mitchellhamline.edu/clinics/lamp-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 interview 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.
MISSISSIPPI
Innocence Project New Orleans
4051 Ulloa Street · New Orleans, LA 70119
504-943-1902 · www.ip-no.org
Accepts cases of factual innocence from Louisiana or the following south
Mississippi counties (Adams, Amite, Claiborne, Clarke, Copiah, Covington,
Forrest, Franklin, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson,
Jefferson Davis, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Lawrence, Lincoln, Marion, Pearl
River, Perry, Pike, Simpson, Smith, Stone, Walthall, Wayne, Wilkinson);
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.
Mississippi Innocence Project
University of Mississippi School of Law
PO Box 1848 · University, MS 38677
662-915-5207 · innocenceproject.olemiss.edu
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.
Mississippi Reentry Guide
c/o Foundation for the Mid South · 134 E Amite St · Jackson, MS 39201
601-355-8167 · www.msreentryguide.com
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.
Write to the above address for a copy.
MISSOURI
Midwest Innocence Project
605 W 47th St, Suite 222 · Kansas City, MO 64113
816-221-2166 · www.themip.org
Accepts cases of actual innocence in AR, IA, KS, MO, and NE; must have
more than 10 years left to serve on his/her sentence, and/or the applicant
must register as a sex offender; is not currently represented by an attorney;
and has NOT received the death penalty.
MONTANA
Montana Innocence Project
PO Box 7607 · Missoula, MT 59807
406-544-6698 · www.mtinnocenceproject.org
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.
NEBRASKA
Midwest Innocence Project
605 W 47th St, Suite 222 · Kansas City, MO 64113
816-221-2166 · www.themip.org

Accepts cases of actual innocence in AR, IA, KS, MO, and NE; must have
more than 10 years left to serve on his/her sentence, and/or the applicant
must register as a sex offender; is not currently represented by an attorney;
and has NOT received the death penalty.
Nebraska Innocence Project
PO Box 24183 · Omaha, NE 68124
402-341-7194 · www.nebraskainnocenceproject.org
Accepts cases of actual innocence in Nebraska; DNA cases only; will
consider arson, shaken baby syndrome and child abuse cases (with DNA);
no sentence requirements.
NEVADA
Rocky Mountain Innocence Center
358 South 700 East, B235
Salt Lake City, UT 84102
801-355-1888 · rminnocence.org
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.
NEW JERSEY
NJ Office of the Corrections Ombudsman
P0 Box 855 · Trenton, NJ 08625
609-633-2596 · www.state.nj.us/correctionsombudsman
The Office of the Corrections Ombudsman provides a mechanism for the
continuing resolution of issues, problems or complaints of state sentenced
prisoners within New Jersey's Correctional System regarding their living
conditions and treatment. Prisoners in NJ institutions may call the
Ombudsman toll-free at 555-555-5555.
The Last Resort Exoneration Project
Seton Hall University School of Law
One Newark Center · Newark, NJ 07102 · 973-642-8500
law.shu.edu/ProgramsCenters/PublicIntGovServ/ExonerationProject
The Last Resort Exoneration Project offers free (pro bono) investigative and
legal services to the convicted innocent of New Jersey who have plausible
and substantial claim of actual innocence, and are willing to cooperate with
requests aimed at discovering the truth. If an applicant appears to us to have
a legitimate basis for claiming that he or she is factually innocent, they will
undertake an independent review of the facts of the case and all surrounding
circumstances.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Mettanokit Outreach
Attn: Medicine Story
173 Merriam Hill Rd · Greenville, NH 03048
603-878-2310 · www.circleway.org
Mettanokit is a non-profit learning center and service organization working
for a more human society based on the old values of cooperation and
equality and the closeness and caring found in our elder tribal societies. Part
of their program is offering Native circles in prisons, with 10 of these circles
currently in New England prisons. Description of these may be found in the
book Ending Violent Crime. Descriptions of the Native American traditions
that provide an understanding for much of this work may be found in the
book Return to Creation. Write for further information and list of books for
sale.
New England Innocence Project
120 Tremont St, Suite 735
Boston, MA 02108
857-277-7685 · www.newenglandinnocence.org
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.
NEW MEXICO
Innocence and Justice Project

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PARC National Prisoner Resource Directory – June 2018
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1117 Stanford NE, MSCII 6070
University of New Mexico School of Law
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
505-277-2671 · lawschool.unm.edu/ijp
Cases accepted: Cases of actual innocence in New Mexico; DNA and nonDNA cases; no sentence requirements.
NEW YORK
Bard Prison Initiative
Bard College PO Box 5000 ·
Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504-5000
845-758-7308 · bpi.bard.edu
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. People in select New York State prisons may apply and are
selected based on their ambition and willingness to work hard. 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.
Connections 2017
The New York Public Library, Correctional Library Services
455 Fifth Ave, 6th floor · New York, NY 10016 · 212-592-7553
www.nypl.org/help/community-outreach/correctional-services
The NYPL's Correctional Library Services publishes Connections 2017 (314
pages), an annual 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. A
Spanish translation of the 2015 edition is available as a PDF file only.
Spanish speakers who are incarcerated can request up to 40 printed pages
at a time of Conexiones 2015, to be sent via mail. Aquí encontrará una
traducción al español disponible como un archivo PDF. Personas que están
encarceladas pueden solicitar hasta 40 páginas impresas de "Conexiones
2015" a la vez (que se enviarán por carta), escribiendo a: NYPL
Correctional Services, 445 Fifth Ave, NY, NY 10016.
Cornell Prison Education Program
115 Day Hall · Ithaca, NY 14853
607-255-9091 · cpep.cornell.edu
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 of inmates at Auburn Correctional Facility and Cayuga
Correctional Facility.
Correctional Association of New York
2090 Adam Clayton Powell Bl, Suite 200 · New York, NY 10027
212-254-5700 · www.correctionalassociation.org
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.
Edwin Gould Services for Children
Incarcerated Mothers Program
151 Lawrence St, 5th Floor · Brooklyn, NY 11201
212-437-3500 · egscf.org
Sponsors the Incarcerated Mothers Program, a specially designed
preventive program that addresses the needs of mothers parenting their
children from prison in New York with the goal of preventing foster care
placement by assisting women and their children during and after the time of
arrest; court; jail; and as they return to the community. IMP provides
advocacy, foster care prevention, counseling, and vocational training, and
also offers prison-based parenting groups serving fathers.

Fortune Society
29-76 Northern Bl · Long Island City, NY 11101
212-691-7554 · www.fortunesociety.org
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 clients, helps ensure each client's success. The Fortune Society
serves approximately 4,500 men and women 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.
Hour Children
36-11 12th St · Long Island City, NY 11106
718-433-4724 · www.hourchildren.org
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).
Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison
PO Box 862 · Ossining, NY 10562
914-941-0794 · www.hudsonlink.org
College courses are offered to prisoners at Fishkill, Sing Sing 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. And to ensure a successful
transition to life after prison, Hudson Link partners with reentry organizations
to provide supportive services for their alumni. The Hudson Link Alumni
Office also provides job readiness skills including resume writing, job search
assistance, interview attire, laptops, professional mentoring and internship
opportunities.
Legal Action Center
225 Varick St, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10014
212-243-1313 · www.lac.org
The Legal Action Center’s mission is to assist New York state residents to
fight discrimination against those with histories of addiction, HIV/AIDS, or
criminal records, and to advocate for sound public policies in these areas.
Write for list of publications.
Legal Aid Society Prisoner's Rights Project
199 Water St · New York, NY 10038
212-577-3300 · www.legalaid.org/en/civil/civilpractice/prisonersrightsproject.aspx
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 prisoners’
criminal cases or sentences or matters related to parole.
New York State Prisoner Justice Coalition
33 Central Ave · Albany, NY 12210
518-434-4037 · www.nysprisonerjustice.org
Publishes the NY State Prisoner Justice Network Directory, a free 16-page
directory of over 100 NY justice and prisoner support organizations.
Pace Post-Conviction Project
Pace University Law School
78 North Broadway · White Plains, NY 10603
914-422-4230 · lawweb.pace.edu/jjls/clinic.html
Law school students at Pace Univ. investigate cases of actual innocence
from Westchester County and New York City; DNA and non-DNA cases.
Prisoner Reentry Institute
John Jay College of Criminal Law
524 W 59th St, Rm 609B · New York, NY 10019

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PARC National Prisoner Resource Directory – June 2018
18
212-393-6435 · johnjaypri.org
The Prisoner Reentry Institute (PRI) of the John Jay College of Criminal
Justice with the mission of supporting the successful reentry of justiceinvolved people back into communities. PRI regularly produces studies and
publications made available for prisoners, including the Guide to Continuing
Your Education after Prison (2015 Ed). PRI also offers higher education to
prisoners in New York, such as its "Prison to College pipeline" program
which offers college classes at Otisville Correctional Facility, and runs the
New York Justice Corps, a higher education prep and work readiness
program for justice-involved youth.
Prisoners' Legal Services of New York
41 State St, Suite M112 · Albany, NY 12207
518-445-6053 · www.plsny.org
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 request with prisoner's name, DIN number,
and facility to: Pro Se, 114 Prospect St, Ithaca, NY 14850. Past issues of
Pro Se from 2002-2016 are downloadable from their website.
Reinvestigation Project
Office of the Appellate Defender
11 Park Place, Suite · 1601 New York, NY 10007
212-402-4100 · oadnyc.org/reinvestigation-project
Accepts cases of actual innocence for felony convictions in Manhattan and
the Bronx. The client is assigned to OAD on appeal; DNA and non-DNA
cases; no sentence requirements. Cases are randomly assigned by the
court, and consist of indigent defendants who were convicted in the Bronx
and Manhattan. At this time, the Reinvestigation Project is not funded to
accept cases that have not been assigned to the office on direct appeal.
Sylvia Rivera Law Project
147 West 24th St, 5th Floor · New York, NY 10011
212-337-8550 x303 · www.srlp.org
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. Available only in
NY and surrounding areas.
The Exoneration Initiative
233 Broadway, Suite 2370 · New York, NY 10279
212-965-9335 · exonerationinitiative.org
Accepts cases of actual innocence in New York; DNA and non-DNA cases
(specializes in non-DNA); no sentence requirements.
The Osborne Association
809 Westchester Ave · Bronx, NY 10455
718-707-2600 · www.osborneny.org
The Osborne Association offers opportunities for individuals who have been
in conflict with the law to transform their lives through innovative, effective,
and replicable programs that serve the community by reducing crime and its
human and economic costs. Services limited to New York prisoners and
their families. Write for list of programs and services. The Osborne
Association has three locations: in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Newburgh.
Women's Prison Association
110 Second Ave · New York, NY 10003
646-292-7742 · www.wpaonline.org
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. Within these program areas,
WPA offers Alternatives to Incarceration, Family Reunification Assistance
and Family Support Services, Reentry Case Management, Assistance and
Support, and Jail and Prison-Based Education and Pre-Release Services.
NORTH CAROLINA
Innocence and Justice Clinic

Wake Forest University Law School
1834 Wake Forest Rd · Winston-Salem, NC 27109
336-758-5430 · innocence-clinic.law.wfu.edu
Cases accepted: Cases of actual innocence in North Carolina; DNA and
non-DNA cases; no sentence requirements.
North Carolina Center on Actual Innocence
PO Box 52446 · Durham, NC 27717-2446
919-489-3268 · www.nccai.org/
Accepts cases of actual innocence in North 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, but exceptions
are made.
North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission
Administrative Office of the Courts
PO Box 2448 · Raleigh, NC 27602
919-890-1580 · www.innocencecommission-nc.gov
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 retried again.
North Carolina Prisoner Legal Services
PO Box 25397 · Raleigh, NC 27611
919-856-2200 · www.ncpls.org/
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.
Prison Books Collective
PO Box 625 · Carrboro, NC 27510
919-443-9238 · https://prisonbooks.info
The Prison Books Collective is a Chapel Hill, NC-based anti-prison group
that sends books to prisoners in Alabama and North Carolina only,
maintains an extensive radical ‘zine catalog, widely distributes a monthly
poster promoting political prisoner support, and publishes prisoners’ art and
writing.
NORTH DAKOTA
Innocence Project of Minnesota
1536 Hewitt Ave, MS-C1973
St. Paul, MN 55104
651-523-3152 · ipmn.org
The Minnesota Innocence Project investigates claims of wrongful conviction
from prisoners convicted of crimes in Minnesota, North Dakota and South
Dakota where DNA or other overwhelming evidence of innocence is present.
OHIO
Ashland University
401 College Ave · Ashland, OH 44805
419-289-4142
https://www.ashland.edu/founders/programs/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.
Athens Books to Prisoners
30 1st St · Athens, OH 45701
athensbookstoprisoners.weebly.com

This 24-page resource directory has been published by the Prison Activist Resource Center, PO Box 70447,
Oakland, CA, 94612, 510-893-4648. If included, please mail back the evaluation form with any updates.

PARC National Prisoner Resource Directory – June 2018
19
Athens Books to Prisoners is a volunteer run organization that sends free
books to prisoners in Ohio upon request.
Ohio Innocence Project
University of Cincinnati College of Law
PO Box 210040 · Cincinnati, OH 45221-0040
513-556-0752 · www.law.uc.edu/oip
Accepts cases of actual innocence in Ohio; DNA and non-DNA cases; no
sentence requirements.
RedBird Books-to-Prisoners
PO Box 10599 · Columbus, OH 43201
redbirdprisonaboliton.blogspot.com
RedBird Prison Abolition is a group of people in Columbus OH who want to
see the prison system come to an end. The all-volunteer group has no
budget, substantial funding or formal mission statement. Their activities are
guided by correspondence with incarcerated people because prison
abolition ought to begin with the needs of those most directly affected by the
system. RedBird Books-to-Prisoners is a project of RedBird Prison Abolition,
dedicated to providing Ohio prisoners with free books and reading materials.
Send requests by subject.
Wrongful Conviction Project
Office of the Ohio Public Defender
250 East Broad St, Suite 1400 · Columbus, OH 43215
614-466-5394
opd.ohio.gov/Trial-Services/Wrongful-Conviction-Project
Accepts cases of actual innocence in Ohio; non-DNA cases only; prisoner is
serving a lengthy prison term, and has exhausted the legal process.
OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma Innocence Project
Oklahoma City University School of Law
800 N Harvey Ave · Oklahoma City, OK 73102
405-208-6161 · innocence.okcu.edu
The Oklahoma Innocence Project accepts cases of actual innocence in
Oklahoma; DNA and non-DNA cases; no sentence requirements.
OREGON
Oregon Innocence Project
PO Box 5248 · Portland, OR 97208
503-944-2270 · www.oregoninnocence.org
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.
Partnership for Safety & Justice
825 NE 20th Ave, Suite 250 · Portland, OR 97232
503-335-8449 · safetyandjustice.org
Advocacy group focused on changing public safety policy in Oregon only.
Publishes newsletter and Prisoner Support Directory for Oregon prisoners.
Pathfinders of Oregon
PO Box 3257 · Gresham, OR 97030
503-892-5396 · www.pathfindersoforegon.org
Pathfinders of Oregon has several successful programs in prisons and the
community, including the Center for Family Success, Children's Justice
Alliance, Parenting Inside Out, Pathfinder Academy, and Living in Freedom
Today, an alternative to incarceration program.
PENNSYLVANIA
Abolitionist Law Center
PO Box 8654 · Pittsburgh, PA 15221
412-654-9070 · abolitionistlawcenter.org
The Abolitionist Law Center (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.
AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania
1211 Chestnut St, Suite 600 · Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-587-9377 · www.aidslawpa.org
The AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania is a nonprofit public-interest law firm
providing free legal assistance to people living with HIV and AIDS, including
PA prisoners. English and Spanish spoken.
Book 'Em
c/o Thomas Merton Center · 5129 Penn Ave · Pittsburgh, PA 15224
412-361-3022 x 4 · www.bookempgh.org
Book 'Em is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that sends free
educational books and quality reading material to prisoners in Pennsylvania
only. Prisoners may request books by subject.
Human Rights Coalition
4134 Lancaster Ave · Philadelphia, PA 19104
267-293-9169 · www.hrcoalition.com
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).
Pennsylvania Innocence Project
Temple University Beasley School of Law
1515 Market St, 3rd Floor Philadelphia, PA 19102
215-204-4255 · www.innocenceprojectpa.org
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.
Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project
The Cast Iron Building
718 Arch St, Suite 304 South
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-925-2966 · www.pailp.org
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 following publications: Prisoners'
Rights Handbook, 2013, 104 pages; A Guide to Correctional Law Decisions
of the Supreme Court of the United States & the United States Court of
Appeals for the Third Circuit, 104 pgs; 2013-2015 Criminal Justice Advocacy
& Support Directory, 98 pages; A Guide to Services for PA Inmates, Victims
of Crime, and Their Families; How to Change Your Name - A Self-Help
Guide, 33 pages; The Grandparents' Guide to Custody & Visitation in PA;
Jailhouse Lawyer's Handbook, 152 pages; and Compassionate Release In
Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Prison Society
245 N Broad St, Suite 300 · Philadelphia, PA 19107-1518
215-564-4775 · www.prisonsociety.org
The Pennsylvania Prison Society was founded in 1787 to fight the harsh
corporal punishments of the day, and has continued to fight against
mistreatment and warehousing of prisoners for the past 230 years. Their
present advocacy includes promoting prison visiting, and the publishing of
“Graterfriends,” a monthly publication that allows prisoners and residents to
voice their opinions and concerns about criminal justice issues ($3.00 for an
annual prisoner subscription). They also distribute several fact sheets,
including the following pamphlets: Programs & Services Flyer (April 2016);
Ban The Box (Feb 2016); Expungement (Feb 2016); Obamacare & Medicaid
(July 2014); Prisoner Reentry Network (Spring 2014); The Effects of
Parental Incarceration on Children; Incarcerated Women: The Whole Truth;

This 24-page resource directory has been published by the Prison Activist Resource Center, PO Box 70447,
Oakland, CA, 94612, 510-893-4648. If included, please mail back the evaluation form with any updates.

PARC National Prisoner Resource Directory – June 2018
20
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); and Prisoner Voting Rights (PA).
Write for further information.

felony which took place in a Texas state court; and all direct appeals have
been completed.

RHODE ISLAND
New England Innocence Project
120 Tremont St, Suite 735 · Boston, MA 02108
617-830-7685 · www.newenglandinnocence.org
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.

Inside Books Project
c/o 12th Street Books · 827 West 12th Street · Austin, TX 78701
512-655-3121 · www.insidebooksproject.com
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.

SOUTH CAROLINA
Palmetto Innocence Project
JM McCulloch Institute · PO Box 11623 · Columbia, SC 29211
803-779-0005
The purpose of the Palmetto Innocence Project is to provide charitable pro
bono legal assistance to prisoners convicted of serious crimes in South
Carolina where cognizable claims of actual innocence or contentions of
serious injustice in the criminal process exist.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Innocence Project of Minnesota
1536 Hewitt Ave, MS-C1973 · St. Paul, MN 55104
651-523-3152 · ipmn.org
The Minnesota Innocence Project investigates claims of wrongful conviction
from prisoners convicted of crimes in Minnesota, North Dakota and South
Dakota where DNA or other overwhelming evidence of innocence is present.
South Dakota Prisoner Support Group
PO Box 3285 · Rapid City, SD 57709-3285
Their purpose is to provide support to prisoners in jails and prisons and their
families, and to prevent abuse of incarcerated men, woman and children.
Offers referrals, links, websites, information, news, as well as share their
own experiences and problems, in regards to incarcerated family
members/friends. No legal advice is given.
TENNESSEE
Project Return
806 4th Ave South · Nashville, TN 37210
615-327-9654 · www.projectreturninc.org
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.
TEXAS
Actual Innocence Clinic
University of Texas School of Law
727 E Dean Keeton St · Austin, TX 78705
512-471-1317 · https://law.utexas.edu/clinics/actual-innocence
Students at the University of Texas School of Law screen and investigate
claims by inmates that they are actually innocent of the offenses for which
they are incarcerated. The program accepts cases of actual innocence in
Texas, including DNA and non-DNA cases, with no sentence requirements.
Disability Rights Texas
2222 West Braker Lane · Austin, TX 78758
512-454-4816 voice/TDD · www.drtx.org
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.
Innocence Project of Texas
300 Burnett St, Suite 160 · Ft. Worth, TX 76102
806-744-6525 · www.ipoftexas.org
The Innocence Project of Texas can only review cases that meet the
following tests: The prisoner is claiming actual innocence; the conviction is a

Prison Justice League
PO Box 49988 · Austin, TX 78765
512-387-0718 · prisonjusticeleague.org
The Prison Justice League (PJL) amplifies the voices of prisoners and their
loved ones to end mass incarceration in Texas. They address the needs of
prisoners in Texas, challenge institutions of punishment and hold them
accountable for their actions, and serve as a voice for prisoners and the
communities most affected by the criminal justice system. Texas prisoners
can reach PJL by legal mail at: PJL, Special Legal Counsel Brian McGiverin,
2221 Hancock, Drive, Austin, TX 78756.
Texas Civil Rights Project
4920 N IH-35 · Austin, TX 78751 · 512-474-5073
www.texascivilrightsproject.org/programs-and-services/prisoners-rights
The Texas Civil Rights Project's Prisoners’ Rights Program works to improve
conditions in Texas prisons and jails through litigation and advocacy,
concentrating on cases that will have broad impact by changing a policy or
creating other systemic relief.
Thurgood Marshall School of Law Innocence Project
Earl Carl Institute for Legal and Social Policy
Texas Southern University
3100 Cleburne St · Houston, TX 77004 · 713-313-1139
www.tsulaw.edu/centers/ECI/centers/criminal_justice
The project only 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 time lines and summaries, perform case
analyses, and prepare written case evaluations and pleadings.
Windham School District
PO Box 40 · Huntsville, TX 77342-0040
936-291-5303 · www.windhamschooldistrict.org
Windham School District (WSD) provides a variety of academic classes and
Career and Technical Education to prisoners incarcerated in the TDCJ. In
addition to WSD programs, the Continuing Education program offers college
courses and recreational activities. WSD operates schools on 90 sites
serving TDCJ, with Associate’s, Bachelor’s, and Master’s Degrees offered.
UTAH
Rocky Mountain Innocence Center
358 South 700 East, B235 · Salt Lake City, UT 84102
801-355-1888 · rminnocence.org
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.
Utah Prisoner Advocate Network
PO Box 464 · Draper, UT 84020
utahprisoneradvocate.org
Utah Prisoner Advocate Network (UPAN) assists prisoners in the UDOC to
solve issues with housing, medical, and other issues (no legal). They also
assist families of inmates to learn how to navigate the system on their prison
journeys. UPAN also publishes a monthly newsletter free to Utah prisoners.
Family and friends are encouraged to visit the UPAN website (or email

This 24-page resource directory has been published by the Prison Activist Resource Center, PO Box 70447,
Oakland, CA, 94612, 510-893-4648. If included, please mail back the evaluation form with any updates.

PARC National Prisoner Resource Directory – June 2018
21
UPAN), download the printable versions of their newsletters and send
directly to the prisoner.

actual innocence that can be proven through DNA testing or other newly
discovered evidence; and have no involvement in the crime whatsoever.

VERMONT
New England Innocence Project
120 Tremont St, Suite 735 · Boston, MA 02108
857-277-7858 · www.newenglandinnocence.org
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.

Keeping the Faith: The Prison Project
The Pat Graney Company
PO Box 221009 · Seattle, WA 98122
206-329-3705 · www.patgraney.org/education.html
Keeping the Faith–The Prison Project serves women in Washington state
prisons through dance, expository writing, visual art and performance. This
program serves hundreds of women in prison as well as offering their
incarcerated peers in the audience a chance to discuss topics relating to
their own lives after each performance.

Prisoners' Rights Office
6 Baldwin St, 4th Floor · Montpelier, VT 05633-3301
802-828-3194 · defgen.vermont.gov/research/prisoners-rights-office
This section of the Vermont Office of the Defender General handles
prisoners' rights cases.
VIRGINIA
Innocence Project at the UVA School of Law
University of Virginia School of Law
580 Massie Rd · Charlottesville, VA 22901
434-924-3732 · www.innocenceprojectuva.org/contact
Consider accepting cases of wrongful convictions if three criteria are met: (1)
inmate must have been convicted of a crime in VA, (2) the conviction must
be final, and (3) inmate is actually innocent of the crime of which he or she
was convicted. If those three criteria are met, their decision whether or not to
accept the case will be based upon the likelihood of being able to prove
innocence, the availability of legal remedies, and their current caseload. To
be considered, request their application packet.
Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project
George Washington University Law School
Washington, DC 20052
202-994-4586 · www.exonerate.org
Accepts cases of actual innocence in state or federal courts in DC, MD, and
VA; DNA and non-DNA cases; no sentence requirements; arson and shaken
baby syndrome cases; may consider child abuse cases.
WASHINGTON
Columbia Legal Services
Institutions Project · 101 Yesler Way, Suite 300 Seattle, WA 98104
206-382-3399 · www.columbialegal.org/advocacy/institutions-project
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.
Freedom Education Project Puget Sound
2311 N 45th St, #178 · Seattle, WA 98105
206-729-2480 · prisonstudiesproject.org/category/washington
The FEPPS program offers a rigorous college program inside the
Washington Corrections Center for Women leading to an Associate of Arts
and Sciences degree. The classes are taught by professors from the
University of Puget Sound, Tacoma Community College, Evergreen State
College, University of Washington, and Pacific Lutheran University.
Innocence Project Northwest
University of Washington School of Law
PO Box 85110 · Seattle, WA 89145-1110
206-616-8792 · www.ipnw.org
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

University Beyond Bars
PO Box 31525 · Seattle, WA 98103
425-339-8229 · www.universitybeyondbars.org
Prisoners who have earned their GEDs can choose from two educational
pathways in UBB: a certificate pathway and a college pathway. The former
offers a varied menu of not-for-credit courses; the latter offers college
courses for credit through Seattle Central College, primarily at the associate
degree level. UBB also offers gateway college preparatory courses in math
and English and a twice monthly Arts & Lectures series open to all
prisoners. The prisons served at present are the Washington State
Reformatory and the Minimum Security Unit, at Monroe Complex.
WEST VIRGINIA
West Virginia Innocence Project
West Virginia University College of Law
PO Box 6130 · Morgantown, WV 26505-6130
304-293-7294 · wvinnocenceproject.wvu.edu
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.
WISCONSIN
Family Law Project
University of Wisconsin Law School
975 Bascom Mall · Madison, WI 53706
608-262-1002 · www.law.wisc.edu/fjr/flp
Wisconsin Law students work under experienced family law attorneys to
provide information and represent prison inmates and caregivers in their
family law matters including divorces, paternity actions, child support
modifications, child placement, visitation and guardianship.
Wisconsin Books to Prisoners Project
Rainbow Books Store Cooperative
426 W Gilam St · Madison, WI 53703
608-257-6050 · www.peoplesbookscoop.org/books-to-prisoners
small, all-volunteer, non-profit organization that sends books free of charge
to state and federal prisoners in Wisconsin. Request by subject.
Wisconsin Innocence Project
University of Wisconsin Madison
975 Bascom Mall · Madison, WI 53706-1399
608-265-1160 · https://law.wisc.edu/fjr/clinicals/ip/representation.html
See entry on page four, under NATIONWIDE ORGANIZATIONS AND
RESOURCES.
WYOMING
Rocky Mountain Innocence Center
358 South 700 East, B235 · Salt Lake City, UT 84102
801-355-1888 · rminnocence.org
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.

This 24-page resource directory has been published by the Prison Activist Resource Center, PO Box 70447,
Oakland, CA, 94612, 510-893-4648. If included, please mail back the evaluation form with any updates.

PARC National Prisoner Resource Directory – June 2018
22
PARC Recommended Legal and Educational Books (all books are paperbound)
A Jailhouse Lawyer's Manual
Columbia Human Rights Law Review, Attn: JLM Order · 435 West 116th Street · New York, NY 10027
212-854-1601 · www3.law.columbia.edu/hrlr/jlm
A Jailhouse Lawyer's Manual (10th Ed, 2014, 1288 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. The additional
Immigration & Consular Access Supplement (102 pages) contains information about the immigration law consequences of criminal convictions for people
who are not U.S. Citizens. The JLM is $30 if shipped directly to prisoners; $105 for all others. The Supplement is $5 for prisoners, $22 for all others.
Please note the JLM is available free by individual chapter if downloaded from the above-listed website by an outside source, printed out, and mailed to
the prisoner. Prisoners may also directly order up to three chapters of the 9th Edition of JLM for free. Please note that the 9th Edition was published in
2011 and is not the most recent edition, thus it may contain information that is out of date and no longer accurate. To obtain the order form for the three
free chapters, send a pre-addressed stamped envelope to the above address. The 11th edition of the JLM is due out later in 2017.
Battling the Administration: An Inmate’s Guide to a Successful Lawsuit
Wynword Press · PO Box 557 · Bonners Ferry, ID 83805
208-267-0817 · www.wynwordpress.com/shop/battling-the-administration
Battling the Administration (David J. Meister, April 2014, 566 pages, $34.95 +$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.
California State Prisoner's Handbook
440 Tesconi Circle ChromaGraphics · Santa Rosa, CA 95401
800-630-4104 · prisonlaw.com/resources/prisoner-handbook
California State Prisoners Handbook (Heather MacKay & Prison Law Office, 4th Ed, 2008, 1100 pages), is $40 if shipped directly to prisoners or parolees,
$182 for all others (including the 2014 supplement). All orders include sales tax and shipping. The Handbook discusses in detail the laws governing
prisoner rights and the policies and practices of the CDCR. The Handbook also includes numerous sample forms and model pleadings. The 17 chapters
cover: Administrative Appeals, Rights of Prisoners, Classification and Transfers, Determinate Sentences, Time Credits and Release Dates, Life Prisoners,
Disciplinary Violations and Segregation, Medical and Mental Health Care, Detainers and Extradition, Early and Temporary Releases and Special Prison
Programs, Parole, MDO and SVP Commitments, Workers Compensation and Other Benefits, Immigration Issues for Noncitizen Prisoners, Writs of
Habeas Corpus and Mandate, Federal Civil Rights and State Tort Law Actions, Direct Appeals of Convictions, Legal Research and Writing. PLEASE
NOTE: This book is offered to prisoners and parolees at a special subsidized price. Those who are not a prisoner or parolee (or are not purchasing the
book for shipping directly to a prisoner or parolee) must pay the regular price.
Federal Prison Handbook
Prison Legal News · PO Box 1151 · Lake Worth, FL 33460
561-360-2523 · https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/store/products/federal-prison-handbook
The Federal Prison Handbook (Christopher Zoukis, 2016, 491 pages, $49.95 +$6 S&H) is the definitive guide to surviving incarceration in a federal prison.
This handbook teaches individuals facing incarceration, prisoners who are already inside, and their friends and family everything they need to know to
protect themselves and their rights. The thorough information was compiled by someone who has first-hand experience with the federal prison system, as
Zoukis is an advocate currently serving time at a federal prison. His insider’s view of this unknown world guides inmates through the mental stresses of
confinement. Importantly, this text provides detailed instructions on how prisoners can protect their rights. Importantly, this text provides detailed
instructions on how prisoners can protect their rights. The author is a college-educated prisoner who has fought extensively to preserve his rights and the
rights of other prisoners.
Georgetown Law Journal Annual Review of Criminal Procedure
Georgetown Law Office of Journal Administration - ARCP · 600 New Jersey Avenue NW · Washington, DC 20001-2075
202-662-9457 · https://www.law.georgetown.edu/academics/law-journals/subscribe/arcp/inmates.cfm
The Georgetown Law Journal Annual Review of Criminal Procedure (ARCP) (46th Ed, July 2017, 1000+ pages) is $25 if shipped directly to prisoners, $85
for all others. The ARCP 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. Refunds are not available. Orders are shipped USPS, so please allow 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) and PA (6.0% or 7.0% if sent to Philadelphia or Allegheny County.)
Jailhouse Lawyers Handbook
National Lawyers Guild · 132 Nassau St, Rm 922 · New York, NY 10038
212-679-6018 · www.nlg.org/jailhouse-lawyers-handbook
The Jailhouse Lawyers Handbook (5th Ed, 2010, 158 pages, $2) 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
$2.00 in money order, stamps, or check to the above address. Please note the Handbook is available free if downloaded from their website
(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. Also available through PILP (see
page 19).
This 24-page resource directory has been published by the Prison Activist Resource Center, PO Box 70447,
Oakland, CA, 94612, 510-893-4648. If included, please mail back the evaluation form with any updates.

PARC National Prisoner Resource Directory – June 2018
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Prison Education Guide
Prison Legal News · PO Box 1151 · Lake Worth, FL 33460
561-360-2523 · https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/store/products/prison-education-guide
Prison Education Guide (Christopher Zoukis, 2016, 280 pages, $49.95 + $6 S&H) is the most comprehensive guide to correspondence programs for
prisoners available today. This exceptional book provides the reader with step-by-step instructions to find the right educational program, enroll in courses
and complete classes to meet their academic goals. It is perfect for the incarcerated student who lacks Internet access or the ability to attend education
classes in person. Prison Education Guide includes a detailed analysis of the quality, cost, and course offerings of all college correspondence programs
available to prisoners. In a time when so many academic opportunities in prisons have been eliminated, this book is an invaluable reentry tool for
prisoners who seek to further their education while incarcerated, and to help them prepare for life and work following their release.
Prisoners' Self Help Litigation Manual
Prison Legal News · PO Box 1151 · Lake Worth, FL 33460
561-360-2523 · https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/store/products/prisoners-self-help-litigation-manual-4th-edition
The Prisoners' Self-Help Litigation Manual (John Boston & Dan Manville, 4th Ed, 2010, 960 pages, $39.95 + $6 S&H) is an indispensable guide for
prisoners and prisoner advocates seeking to understand the rights guaranteed to prisoners by law and how to protect those rights. Clear, comprehensive,
practical advice provides prisoners with everything they need to know on conditions of confinement, civil liberties in prison, procedural due process, the
legal system, how to litigate, conducting effective legal research, and writing legal documents. Written by two legal and penitentiary experts with intimate
knowledge of prisoner's rights and legal aid work, authors John Boston and Daniel E. Manville strategically focus on federal constitutional law, providing
prisoners and those wishing to assist them with the most important legal information.
Protecting Your Health and Safety: A Litigation Guide For Inmates
Prison Legal News · PO Box 1151 · Lake Worth, FL 33460
561-360-2523 · https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/store/products/protecting-your-health-and-safety-a-litigation-guide-for-inmates
Protecting Your Health & Safety (Robert E. Toone, 2nd Ed, 2009, 325 pages, $10 + $6 S&H) is an easy to read, plain language guide prisoners can use to
identify and litigate federal civil rights claims against prison officials. Over 100 pages are dedicated to the different kinds of constitutional and statutory
violations prisoners frequently encounter while incarcerated. Topics discussed include the First to Fourteenth Amendments, the Religious Freedom
Restoration Act, the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Rehabilitation Act. Each issue,
whether it may be First Amendment retaliation or a violation of the Equal Protection Clause, is addressed in laymen’s terms and supported by case
citations from federal district courts, federal courts of appeal, and the United States Supreme Court. Difficult concepts like deliberate indifference are
simplified in just seven pages, giving you what you need to know to make out a cognizable Eighth Amendment claim. Another 130 pages discuss how to
write a complaint, seek in forma pauperis status, ask for appointment of counsel, respond to motions to dismiss and motions for summary judgment,
conduct discovery, and even present your case at trial. Even procedural issues such as exhaustion of administrative remedies are addressed, helping to
avoid dismissal at the pleading stage. A glossary of commonly used legal terms is also included, along with a directory listing where to file a federal civil
rights suit in each judicial district.
The Disciplinary Self-Help Litigation Manual
Prison Legal News · PO Box 1151 · Lake Worth, FL 33460
561-360-2523 · https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/store/products/disciplinary-self-help-litigation-manual
The Disciplinary Self-Help Litigation Manual (Dan Manville, 2nd Ed, 2015, 368 pages, $49.95 + $6 S&H) is designed to inform prisoners of their rights
when faced with the consequences of a disciplinary hearing. This authoritative and comprehensive work educates prisoners about their rights throughout
this process and helps guide them at all stages, from administrative hearing through litigation. This invaluable how-to guide offers step by step information
for both state and federal prisoners and includes a 50 state analysis of relevant case law.
The Habeas Citebook: Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
Prison Legal News · PO Box 1151 · Lake Worth, FL 33460
561-360-2523 · https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/store/products/the-habeas-citebook-ineffective-assistance-of-counsel
The Habeas Citebook (Brandon Sample, 2016, 275 pages, $49.95 +$6 S&H) is a much-needed tool for prisoners who are forced to seek relief on their
own. The book is thorough, but simple and readable. It starts with a well-organized listing of hundreds of different types of ineffective assistance of
counsel, set forth in the form of citations to court rulings - a novel approach that not only acts as a springboard for further research but also saves the
prisoner countless hours of preliminary research. The book is also practical and useful. It provides invaluable resources, including templates and forms,
that explain what, when, where and how to file for habeas relief. It contains readable summaries of the relevant laws and rules and plain-English
explanations of some of the inherently mystifying concepts of habeas law, such as “procedural default” and “certificates of appealability” and the “AEDPA.”
It includes practical advice on what to do and what not to do on issues such as identifying and selecting the claims to be argued; seeking discovery and
evidentiary hearings; and seeking the appointment of counsel. And the book consistently offers critical insights on winning court strategies.
Jailhouse Lawyers: Prisoners Defending Prisoners v. the U.S.A.
Prison Legal News · PO Box 1151 · Lake Worth, FL 33460 · 561-360-2523
www.prisonlegalnews.org/store/products/jailhouse-lawyers-prisoners-defending-prisoners-v-the-usa
In Jailhouse Lawyers (Mumia Abu-Jamal, 2009, 280 pages, $16.95 + $6 S&H),Prison Legal News columnist, award-winning journalist and death-row
prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal presents the stories and reflections of fellow prisoners-turned-advocates who have learned to use the court system to
represent other prisoners—many uneducated or illiterate—and in some cases, to win their freedom. In Mumia's words, "This is the story of law learned,
not in the ivory towers of multi-billion-dollar endowed universities [but] in the bowels of the slave-ship, in the hidden, dank dungeons of America It is law
learned in a stew of bitterness, under the constant threat of violence, in places where millions of people live, but millions of others wish to ignore or forget.
It is law written with stubs of pencils, or with four-inch-long rubberized flex-pens, with grit, glimmerings of brilliance, and with clear knowledge that
retaliation is right outside the cell door. It is a different perspective on the law, written from the bottom, with a faint hope that a right may be wronged, an
injustice redressed. It is Hard Law."
This 24-page resource directory has been published by the Prison Activist Resource Center, PO Box 70447,
Oakland, CA, 94612, 510-893-4648. If included, please mail back the evaluation form with any updates.

PARC National Prisoner Resource Directory – June 2018
24
Selected excerpts from the UNITED NATIONS STANDARD MINIMUM RULES FOR THE TREATMENT OF PRISONERS (the Nelson Mandela Rules)
United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, held at Geneva 1955, approved 1957. Revised and reapproved on
May 22, 2015 as 122 individual rules, renamed the “Nelson Mandela Rules.” (Full set of all 122 Mandela Rules is 40 pages, available for download at:
www.penalreform.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/MANDELA-RULES.pdf. According to letters from our readers, the UN will not send free copies.)
Basic Principles
• All prisoners shall be treated with the respect due to their inherent dignity and value as human beings. No prisoner shall be subjected to, and all prisoners
shall be protected from, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, for which no circumstances whatsoever may be invoked
as a justification.
Books
• Every prison shall have a library for the use of all categories of prisoners, adequately stocked with both recreational and instructional books, and prisoners
shall be encouraged to make full use of it.
Contacts with the Outside World
• Prisoners shall be allowed, under necessary supervision, to communicate with their family and friends at regular intervals: By corresponding in writing
and using, where available, telecommunication, electronic, digital and other means; and, By receiving visits.
• Prisoners should have access to effective legal aid.
• Prisoners who are foreign nationals shall be allowed reasonable facilities to communicate with the diplomatic and consular representatives of the State
to which they belong.
• Prisoners shall be allocated, to the extent possible, to prisons close to their homes or their places of social rehabilitation.
Education and Recreation
• Provision shall be made for the further education of all prisoners capable of profiting thereby.
• So far as practicable, the education of prisoners shall be integrated with the educational system of the country so that after their release they may continue
their education without difficulty
Exercise and Sport
• Every prisoner who is not employed in outdoor work shall have at least one hour of suitable exercise in the open air daily if the weather permits.
• Young prisoners and others of suitable age and physique are to receive physical and recreational training during the period of exercise.
Food
• Every prisoner shall be provided by the prison administration at the usual hours with food of nutritional value adequate for health and strength, of
wholesome quality and well prepared and served.
Health-Care Services
• Prisoners should enjoy the same standards of health care that are available in the community, and should have access to necessary health-care services
free of charge without discrimination on the grounds of their legal status.
• All prisons shall ensure prompt access to medical attention in urgent cases. Prisoners who require specialized treatment or surgery shall be transferred
to specialized institutions or to civil hospitals.
• Clinical decisions may only be taken by the responsible health-care professionals and may not be overruled or ignored by non-medical prison staff.
• In women’s prisons, there shall be special accommodation for all necessary prenatal and postnatal care and treatment. Arrangements shall be made
wherever practicable for children to be born in a hospital outside the prison.
Information to and Complaints by Prisoners
• Every prisoner shall be allowed to make a request or complaint regarding his or her treatment, without censorship as to substance, to the central prison
administration and to the judicial or other competent authorities, including those vested with reviewing or remedial power.
• Every request or complaint shall be promptly dealt with and replied to without delay.
• A prisoner must not be exposed to any risk of retaliation, intimidation or other negative consequences as a result of having submitted a request or
complaint.
• Allegations of torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment of prisoners shall be dealt with immediately and shall result in a
prompt and impartial investigation conducted by an independent national authority.
Institutional Personnel
• All prison staff shall possess an adequate standard of education and shall be given the ability and means to carry out their duties in a professional manner.
Instruments of Restraint
• The use of chains, irons or other instruments of restraint which are inherently degrading or painful shall be prohibited.
Restrictions, Discipline and Sanctions
• In no circumstances may restrictions or disciplinary sanctions amount to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The
following practices, in particular, shall be prohibited: Indefinite solitary confinement; Prolonged solitary confinement; Placement of a prisoner in a dark or
constantly lit cell; Corporal punishment or the reduction of a prisoner’s diet or drinking water; Collective punishment.
Searches of Prisoners and Cells
• Searches shall be conducted in a manner that is respectful of the inherent human dignity and privacy of the individual being searched, as well as the
principles of proportionality, legality and necessity.
• Searches shall not be used to harass, intimidate or unnecessarily intrude upon a prisoner’s privacy.
• Prisoners shall have access to, or be allowed to keep in their possession without access by the prison administration, documents relating to their legal
proceedings.

This 24-page resource directory has been published by the Prison Activist Resource Center, PO Box 70447,
Oakland, CA, 94612, 510-893-4648. If included, please mail back the evaluation form with any updates.