Legal Services for People in Prison and Jail
These organizations provide legal assistance to people in prison. Each listing has been confirmed by the relevant organization within the last year.

Alabama
Southern Center for Human Rights (SCHR)
83 Poplar Street, N.W. Atlanta, GA 30303-2122 http://www.schr.org (404) 688-9440 fax(404) 688-1202
phone
Focus area/description: The SCHR represents prisoners in class action law suits challenging inhumane
conditions of confinement, degrading or discriminatory treatment, denial of medical and mental health
care, debtors' prisons, and other constitutional violations. The SCHR staff will respond to complaints sent
through the mail by Georgia and Alabama prisoners. (Confirmed: Jun. 16, 2015)

Arizona
Middle Ground Prison Reform
139 East Encanto Drive Tempe, AZ 85281 http://www.middlegroundprisonreform.org
middlegroundprisonreform@msn.com (480) 966-8116 phone
Focus area/description: Middle Ground Prison Reform is involved in advocacy for Arizona families who
have a member in prison or jail. Also offers public education and training seminars for families coping
with imprisonment, litigates for the rights of prisoners and their supporters, and provides specialized
fee-based consulting services for inmates and their families; includes Clemency Board presentation
preparation, protective custody, medical, visitation, probation supervision and restoration of civil rights.
Middle Ground Prison Reform is not a direct social-service delivery agency. (Confirmed: Jun. 11, 2015)

California
ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) of SoCal
1313 West Eighth St., #200 Los Angeles, CA 90017 http://www.aclusocal.org (213) 977-5209 (213)
977-9543 (no collect calls please)
Focus area/description: The ACLU of Southern California works to preserve and guarantee the
protections of the Constitution's Bill of Rights. It aims to extend these freedoms to segments of our
population who have traditionally been denied their rights, including people of color; lesbians, gay men,
bisexuals, and transgendered people; women; mental-health patients; prisoners; people with disabilities;
and the poor. (Confirmed: Jun. 15, 2015)

Root & Rebound
1730 Franklin St. Suite 300 Oakland, CA 94612 http://www.rootandrebound.org (510) 891-1287 Fax(510)
279-4662 Office
Focus area/description: We provide the highest caliber direct legal services to clients throughout the
continuum of reentry. (Confirmed: Jun. 26, 2015)

Connecticut
ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) of CT
330 Main St, First floor Hartford, CT 06106 http://www.acluct.org/ (860) 586-8900 Fax(860) 523-9146
Phone
Focus area/description: A nonpartisan, non-profit membership organization whose mission is to assure
that the Bill of Rights and the rights guaranteed by the Connecticut Constitution are preserved for each new
generation. (Confirmed: Jun. 25, 2015)

District of Columbia
D.C. Prisoners' Project
Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs 11 Dupont Circle NW, Suite 400
Washington, D.C. 20036 http://www.washlaw.org/projects/dc-prisoners-rights (202) 319-1010 Fax(202)
319-1000 General information, no collect calls(202) 775-0323 Prisoner help line, collect calls accepted
Focus area/description: Helps D.C. prisoners and ex-prisoners advocate for humane treatment,
particularly with regard to medical and mental health services, safe conditions of confinement, access to
the courts, and parole grant and parole supervision issues. (Confirmed: Jun. 15, 2015)

Florida
Florida Justice Institute (FJI)
Attention: Intake 100 SE 2nd St., Suite 3750 Miami, FL 33131-2113 http://www.floridajusticeinstitute.org
(305) 358-2081 phone
Focus area/description: FJI handles civil rights actions affecting conditions in Florida's prisons and jails.
Legal services provided to inmates also include damages suits and civil rights cases. No post conviction or
criminal cases are accepted. Prisoners or family should contact this group by visiting the website and
clicking "Contact Us." (Confirmed: Jun. 15, 2015)

A Jailhouse Lawyer's Manual--Columbia Human Rights Law Review
Columbia Human Rights Law Review, Attn: JLM Order 435 W. 116th St. New York, NY 10027
http://www3.law.columbia.edu/hrlr/jlm jlm.board.mail@gmail.com (212) 854-1601
Focus area/description: A Jailhouse Lawyer's Manual Tenth Edition (the "JLM Tenth Edition") explains
the legal rights of prisoners, and how to navigate through the justice process to secure those rights. It
contains information on how to address legal issues on both the federal level and the state level, with an
emphasis on New York State law. To order the JLM, send your name, address, ID number, institution, and
phone number to the address above. Please note that we can not fulfill orders without payment.
(Confirmed: Jun. 12, 2015)

Georgia
Southern Center for Human Rights (SCHR)
83 Poplar Street, N.W. Atlanta, GA 30303-2122 http://www.schr.org (404) 688-9440 fax(404) 688-1202
phone
Focus area/description: The SCHR represents prisoners in class action law suits challenging inhumane
conditions of confinement, degrading or discriminatory treatment, denial of medical and mental health
care, debtors' prisons, and other constitutional violations. The SCHR staff will respond to complaints sent
through the mail by Georgia and Alabama prisoners. (Confirmed: Jun. 16, 2015)

Hawaii

Hawaii Office of the Ombudsman
465 S. King Street 4th floor Honolulu, HI 96813 http://ombudsman.hawaii.gov (808) 587-0773 fax(808)
587-0770 phone(808) 587-0774 TTY
Focus area/description: Receives, and where deemed appropriate, investigates complaints from inmates
regarding administrative acts of staff of the Department of Public Safety, State of Hawaii. Does not provide
advocacy or legal services. Open from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, except for state holidays.
(Confirmed: Jun. 15, 2015)

Louisiana
A Jailhouse Lawyer's Manual--Columbia Human Rights Law Review
Columbia Human Rights Law Review, Attn: JLM Order 435 W. 116th St. New York, NY 10027
http://www3.law.columbia.edu/hrlr/jlm jlm.board.mail@gmail.com (212) 854-1601
Focus area/description: A Jailhouse Lawyer's Manual Tenth Edition (the "JLM Tenth Edition") explains
the legal rights of prisoners, and how to navigate through the justice process to secure those rights. It
contains information on how to address legal issues on both the federal level and the state level, with an
emphasis on New York State law. To order the JLM, send your name, address, ID number, institution, and
phone number to the address above. Please note that we can not fulfill orders without payment.
(Confirmed: Jun. 12, 2015)

Massachusetts
Prisoners' Legal Services
10 Winthrop Square Floor 3 Boston, MA 02110-1264 http://plsma.org (617) 451-6383 Fax(617) 482-2773
Main
Focus area/description: PLS provides civil legal services, not criminal defense services, to people in
Massachusetts prisons and jails. The office focuses on four issues: health and mental health care, guardon-prisoner violence, physical conditions of confinement, and segregation and isolation. PLS has a toll free
speed dial number accessible to all state prisoners on the PIN system: #9004. County prisoners must call
collect on (617) 482-4124. Prisoners who can not reach us by phone should write to the address above.
Regular call-in hours are 9:00 to 11:00 and 1:00 to 4:00 on Monday afternoons unless you are in
segregation, in which case you can call between 9:00 and 4:00, Monday to Friday. If you are calling from
seg, please state your unit to our receptionist to get through. On weeks when Monday is a holiday, PLS
accepts calls on Tuesday from 1:00 to 4:00. (Confirmed: Jun. 11, 2015)

Minnesota
Legal Assistance to Minnesota Prisoners (LAMP)
William Mitchell College of Law 875 Summit Ave., Room 254 St Paul, MN 55105 (651) 290-6413 phone
Focus area/description: Provides civil and family law legal services to prisoners currently incarcerated in
Minnesota correctional facilities. Additionally, the William Mitchell College of Law runs a Reentry Clinic
that provides reentry services to female prisoners who are nearing their release dates. (Confirmed: Jul. 2,
2015)

North Carolina
North Carolina Prisoner Legal Services, Inc.
PO Box 25397 1110 Wake Forest Road Raleigh, NC 27611 http://www.ncpls.org ncpls@ncpls.org
Email(919) 856-2223 Fax(919) 856-2200 Main
Focus area/description: Provide legal services to people incarcerated in North Carolina to ensure that all
prisoners are treated humanely. Although NCPLS cannot provide representation to every prisoner who
contacts them, they respond to every inquiry they receive, and keep track of recurring complaints so they
can identify and concentrate on areas of broad concern. (Confirmed: Dec. 19, 2014)

New Jersey
NJ Office of the Corrections Ombudsman
P0 Box 855 Trenton, NJ 08625 http://www.state.nj.us/correctionsombudsman/ 1-555-555-5555 Inmate
only toll free number(609) 633-2596 Main
Focus area/description: The Office of the Corrections Ombudsman provides a mechanism for the
continuing resolution of issues, problems or complaints of state prisoners within New Jersey's Correctional
System regarding their living conditions and treatment. The Corrections Ombudsman investigates
complaints where the inmate has failed to get satisfactory results through available institutional channels.
(Confirmed: Jun. 15, 2015)

ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) of New Jersey
PO Box 32159 Newark, NJ 07102 http://www.aclu-nj.org/ (973) 642-2084
Focus area/description: A nonpartisan, non-profit membership organization dedicated to defending and
advancing civil liberties and civil rights. The ACLU-NJ responds to complaints from prisoners with
information, and is only able to provide direct assistance a few times each year. (Confirmed: Jul. 3, 2015)

New Jersey Parents' Caucus
275 Route 10 East Suite 220-414 Succasunna, NJ 07869 http://www.newjerseyparentscaucus.org (908)
994-7471 (973) 989-8870
Focus area/description: The New Jersey Youth Justice Initiative (NJYJI) is a family-driven justice
program of the New Jersey Parents' Caucus (NJPC) which seeks to improve outcomes for justice-involved
youth and their families, end the practice of waiving youth to the adult system, ensure family and youth
involvement on all levels of decision making, end solitary confinement for youth, and ultimately decrease
recidivism rates through a myriad of supportive programs. (Confirmed: Aug. 17, 2015)

Nevada
ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) of NV
601 S. Rancho Drive, # B-11 Las Vegas, NV 89106 http://www.aclunv.org (702) 366-1226
Focus area/description: The ACLU of Nevada works to defend and advance the civil liberties, civil rights
and other fundamental human rights of all Nevadans. (Confirmed: Jun. 12, 2015)

New York
A Jailhouse Lawyer's Manual--Columbia Human Rights Law Review

Columbia Human Rights Law Review, Attn: JLM Order 435 W. 116th St. New York, NY 10027
http://www3.law.columbia.edu/hrlr/jlm jlm.board.mail@gmail.com (212) 854-1601
Focus area/description: A Jailhouse Lawyer's Manual Tenth Edition (the "JLM Tenth Edition") explains
the legal rights of prisoners, and how to navigate through the justice process to secure those rights. It
contains information on how to address legal issues on both the federal level and the state level, with an
emphasis on New York State law. To order the JLM, send your name, address, ID number, institution, and
phone number to the address above. Please note that we can not fulfill orders without payment.
(Confirmed: Jun. 12, 2015)

Prisoners' Legal Services of New York
41 State Street, Suite M112 Albany, NY 12207 http://www.plsny.org/ (518) 445-6050 fax(518) 445-6053
phone
Focus area/description: Prisoners' Legal Services of New York (PLS) provides free civil legal services to
New York state prisoners. The decision to assist with any particular case depends on the issue or problem
presented, the chance of success, the amount of time and resource necessary to properly assist, the office's
resources, staff availability and caseload. PLS is also happy to provide self-help and informational
materials to prisoners. Due to the large number of inquiries, PLS cannot accept telephone calls from
prisoners and their families. (Confirmed: Jun. 11, 2015)

contains information on how to address legal issues on both the federal level and the state level, with an
emphasis on New York State law. To order the JLM, send your name, address, ID number, institution, and
phone number to the address above. Please note that we can not fulfill orders without payment.
(Confirmed: Jun. 12, 2015)

Texas
A Jailhouse Lawyer's Manual--Columbia Human Rights Law Review
Columbia Human Rights Law Review, Attn: JLM Order 435 W. 116th St. New York, NY 10027
http://www3.law.columbia.edu/hrlr/jlm jlm.board.mail@gmail.com (212) 854-1601
Focus area/description: A Jailhouse Lawyer's Manual Tenth Edition (the "JLM Tenth Edition") explains
the legal rights of prisoners, and how to navigate through the justice process to secure those rights. It
contains information on how to address legal issues on both the federal level and the state level, with an
emphasis on New York State law. To order the JLM, send your name, address, ID number, institution, and
phone number to the address above. Please note that we can not fulfill orders without payment.
(Confirmed: Jun. 12, 2015)

Legal Aid Society, Prisoners' Rights Project
199 Water Street, 3rd Floor New York, NY 10038 http://www.legal-aid.org/ (212) 509-8433 fax(212)
577-3530 phone
Focus area/description: Advocates for constitutional and humane conditions of confinement for prisoners
in the New York City and State correctional systems. (Confirmed: Jun. 4, 2015)

Oregon

Virginia
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Virginia
701 E. Franklin St., Suite 1412 Richmond, VA 23219 http://www.acluva.org/ (804) 644-8022
Focus area/description: The ACLU of Virginia is a private, non-profit organization that uses lobbying,
litigation and public education to promote civil liberties and civil rights in the state. (Confirmed: Jun. 25,
2015)

ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) of OR
P.O. Box 40585 Portland, OR 97240-0585 http://www.aclu-or.org/ (503) 227-3186
Focus area/description: The ACLU of Oregon is an advocacy organization dedicated to preserving and
advancing civil liberties and civil rights. It is an organized as a private, non-profit, membership
organization. (Confirmed: Jul. 7, 2015)

Pennsylvania

Vermont
Prisoners' Rights Office
6 Baldwin Street, 4th Floor Montpelier, VT 05633-3301 http://www.defgen.state.vt.us/ (802) 828-3194
phone
Focus area/description: This section of the Vermont Office of the Defender General handles prisoners'
rights cases. (Confirmed: Jun. 11, 2015)

Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project (PAILP)
The Cast Iron Building, Suite 304 South 718 Arch Street Philadelphia, PA 19106 http://www.pailp.org
alove@pailp.org Email(215) 925-5337 Fax(570) 523-1104 Lewisburg Office(215) 925-2966
Main/Philadelphia Office(412) 232-0276 Pittsburgh Office
Focus area/description: The Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project (PAILP) provides free legal
assistance in civil matters to low-income people who are incarcerated or institutionalized. Intake Process:
By phone, M-F, 9am-5pm. PAILP has a staff person who responds to every inquiry. An assessment of legal
merit is made and if appropriate, information and referrals are provided. (Confirmed: Jun. 11, 2015)

Lewisburg Prison Project, Inc.
P.O. Box 128 Lewisburg, PA 17837-0128 http://www.lewisburgprisonproject.org/ (570) 523-1104 phone
Focus area/description: The Lewisburg Prison Project (LPP) is a non-profit organization that assists
prisoners who write LPP when they encounter treatment they perceive to be illegal or unfair. The
Lewisburg Prison Project primarily assists inmates with issues that arise from their conditions of
confinement. LPP writes to and contacts prison authorities on behalf of inmates. The LPP also furnishes
inmates with appropriate legal materials. As of 2010, the organization does not have an attorney on staff;
therefore, the LPP is not able to give legal advice, file suits, or address criminal or post-conviction
cases.The Lewisburg Prison Project offers a range of low-cost legal bulletins ($1-3, prices subject to
change) on specific topics concerning prisoner's rights. Inmates can write to the LPP to request a bulletin
order form. (Confirmed: Jun. 15, 2015)

Rhode Island
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Rhode Island
128 Dorrance Street Suite 220 Providence, RI 02903 http://www.riaclu.org/ (401) 831-7171
Focus area/description: The mission of the ACLU is to preserve and protect First Amendment rights, the
right to equal protection under the law, the right to due process, the right to privacy. (Confirmed: Jun. 11,
2015)

South Carolina
Protection & Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Inc.
3710 Landmark Dr, Ste 208 Columbia, SC 29204 http://www.pandasc.org (803) 782-0639 1-866-275-7273
toll-free
Focus area/description: Provides legal assistance on conditions and treatment issues to prisoners with
disabilities. Does not do criminal work. (Confirmed: Jun. 11, 2015)

Washington
Columbia Legal Services, Institutions Project
101 Yesler Way, Suite 300 Seattle, WA 98104 http://www.columbialegal.org/ (800) 542-0794 (206)
382-3399 collect
Focus area/description: The Institutions Project (IP) 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 our clients' 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. (Confirmed: Jul. 2, 2015)

National organizations
These organizations offer help to prisoners in any state by providing legal assistance or inexpensive,
high-quality self-help materials. See the individual listings for details.

A Jailhouse Lawyer's Manual--Columbia Human Rights Law Review
Columbia Human Rights Law Review, Attn: JLM Order 435 W. 116th St. New York, NY 10027
http://www3.law.columbia.edu/hrlr/jlm jlm.board.mail@gmail.com (212) 854-1601
Focus area/description: A Jailhouse Lawyer's Manual Tenth Edition (the "JLM Tenth Edition") explains
the legal rights of prisoners, and how to navigate through the justice process to secure those rights. It
contains information on how to address legal issues on both the federal level and the state level, with an
emphasis on New York State law. To order the JLM, send your name, address, ID number, institution, and
phone number to the address above. Please note that we can not fulfill orders without payment.
(Confirmed: Jun. 12, 2015)

Lewisburg Prison Project, Inc.
P.O. Box 128 Lewisburg, PA 17837-0128 http://www.lewisburgprisonproject.org/ (570) 523-1104 phone
Focus area/description: The Lewisburg Prison Project (LPP) is a non-profit organization that assists
prisoners who write LPP when they encounter treatment they perceive to be illegal or unfair. The
Lewisburg Prison Project primarily assists inmates with issues that arise from their conditions of
confinement. LPP writes to and contacts prison authorities on behalf of inmates. The LPP also furnishes
inmates with appropriate legal materials. As of 2010, the organization does not have an attorney on staff;
therefore, the LPP is not able to give legal advice, file suits, or address criminal or post-conviction
cases.The Lewisburg Prison Project offers a range of low-cost legal bulletins ($1-3, prices subject to
change) on specific topics concerning prisoner's rights. Inmates can write to the LPP to request a bulletin
order form. (Confirmed: Jun. 15, 2015)

Prison Law Project - Jailhouse Lawyers Handbook

Tennessee
A Jailhouse Lawyer's Manual--Columbia Human Rights Law Review
Columbia Human Rights Law Review, Attn: JLM Order 435 W. 116th St. New York, NY 10027
http://www3.law.columbia.edu/hrlr/jlm jlm.board.mail@gmail.com (212) 854-1601
Focus area/description: A Jailhouse Lawyer's Manual Tenth Edition (the "JLM Tenth Edition") explains
the legal rights of prisoners, and how to navigate through the justice process to secure those rights. It

National Lawyers Guild 132 Nassau Street, RM 922 New York, NY 10038 http://jailhouselaw.org/ (212)
679-2811 fax(212) 679-5100 phone
Focus area/description: This Handbook is a resource for prisoners who wish to file a Section 1983 lawsuit
in federal court regarding poor conditions in prison and/or abuse by prison staff. It also contains limited
information about legal research and the American legal system. The Handbook is available for free online
to anyone at www.jailhouselaw.org, or by mail. Prisoners can write to the addresses above. (Confirmed:
Jul. 2, 2015)

This resource list is edited by the Prison Policy Initiative which confirms each listing at least once per year. For longer descriptions of each organization or to submit other organizations to the
list, please visit http://www.prisonpolicy.org/resources/legal/ . Because people in prison can not access the internet, Prison Legal News is distributing this resource guide on paper. Prison Legal
News P.O. Box 1151 Lake Worth, FL 33460. PLN's website has all back issues of the magazine and the most comprehensive database of detention facility news and litigation.
www.prisonlegalnews.org. This resource guide was printed on September 3, 2015. If that is more than a year ago, please see the Prison Policy Initiative website for a newer version before
making further copies of this guide.