Inside Books Project offers a Resource Guide with helpful resources targeted to inmates and their loved ones. The entire IBP Resource Guide is included below both as a searchable online resource and in downloadable PDF form.
Inside Books Project sends this Resource Guide free of charge to any inmate in Texas. To request a Resource Guide, please send a request letter to the address below:
Inside Books Project
ATTN: Resource Guide Request
P.O. Box 301029
Austin TX 78703
Click here to download the entire IBP Resource Guide as a PDF.
Feel free to print and distribute! This Resource Guide was updated July 2021.
Inside Books Project would like to thank all the organizations and people listed in this guide for their assistance putting this guide together and for the work they do. Please help us keep this Resource Guide up-to-date. Send corrections, entries to be deleted, or new entries to our mailing address or email them to: insidebooksproject@gmail.com
Table of Contents (click a heading below to jump directly to that section):
Artists’ + Writers’ ResourcesBack to top
THE AMERICAN DISSIDENT
217 Commerce Rd.
Barnstable MA 02630
Send in English, Spanish, or French poems and essays (650 words) with a dash of personal risk, stemming from experience, conflict and/or involvement with power.
ART BEHIND BARS
PO Box 2034
Key West FL 33045
Visual art resources, prisoner support.
Highest Common Denominator Fund
16301 Quorum Drive, Suite 100A
Addison TX 75001
(972) 728-8490
www.highestcommondenominatorfund.org
Uses storytelling to inspire and inform a national discussion of critical social issues.
Journal of Prisoners on Prisons
c/o Justin Piché, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Criminology
University of Ottawa
120 University, Room 13049
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K1N 6N5
Prisoners and former prisoners may submit papers, collaborative essays, interviews, book reviews, and photo or graphic essays. No fiction or poetry.
MURIEL RUKEYSER POETRY WALL
Cathedral of St John the Divine
1047 Amsterdam Avenue
New York NY 10025
“The place where poems will always be accepted.” Send poetry, signed or unsigned, in any language, for public display on church walls.
PEN AMERICAN CENTER PRISON WRITING PROGRAM
588 Broadway, Suite 303
New York NY 10012
Free Handbook for Writers in Prison, mentoring program, and annual Prison Writing Contest (submission between January 1 and September 1 of each year).
PRISON ART PROJECT
P.O. Box 47439
Seattle WA 98146-7439
(206) 271-5003
Online outlet for sale of prisoners’ artwork. Send only photographs or scans (not originals). Include name of item, materials and medium, size, and your asking price.
Prisons Foundation
2512 Virginia Ave. NW, #58043
Washington DC 20037
www.prisonsfoundation.org
Publishes books, plays, poetry collections, art and comic books by and about prisoners on the web. Send SASE or visit the website for guidelines.
Prisoner Express
127 Anabel Taylor Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca NY 14853
Free newsletter published twice a year with information on the latest writing and artwork projects organized by the Prisoner Express program.
THE REJECTED QUARTERLY
PO Box 1351
Cobb CA 95426
Specializes in rejected literature - must submit 5 rejection slips for each piece you submit. Send SASE for guidelines.
The Sun Magazine
For subscriptions, write to:
The Sun
Subscription Department
P.O. Box 5837
Harlan IA 51593-1337
(888) 732-6736
Send submissions to:
The Sun
107 North Roberson Street
Chapel Hill NC 27516
(919) 942-5282
Independent, ad-free monthly magazine that publishes personal essays, short stories, interviews, poetry, and photographs by emerging and established artists. Free subscription offered to prisoners. Also accepts submissions.
Books-to-Prisoners ProjectsBack to top
Appalachian Prison Book Project
PO Box 601
Morgantown WV 26507
aprisonbookproject.wordpress.com
Sends free reading material to inmates in Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Does not send to Texas inmates.
Asheville Prison Books Program
67 N Lexington Ave.
Asheville NC 28801
www.main.nc.us/prisonbooks/main.html
Sends free reading material to inmates in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. Does not send to Texas inmates.
BOOKS THROUGH BARS - NYC
c/o Bluestockings Bookstore
172 Allen Street
New York NY 10002
Sends free reading material to inmates from all states except AL, FL, LA, MA, MI, MS, NC, PA and OH, with a priority for NY.
Books Through Bars, Philadelphia
4722 Baltimore Ave.
Philadelphia PA 19143
Sends free reading material to inmates in PA, NJ, DE, NY, MD, VA, WV. Does not send books to Texas inmates.
DC BOOKS TO PRISONS PROJECT
PO Box 34190
Washington DC 20043-4190
Please limit requests to once per 5 months. Can request titles, but prioritized subjects of interest preferred. List prison restrictions. Stamps appreciated. Lacks postage money to respond to all requests and puts lower priority on the following: New England, OR, WA, PA, OH, NY, NJ, WI, and IL.
Inside Books Project
c/o 12th Street Books
827 W. 12th St
Austin, TX 78701
Sends free reading material to inmates in Texas. One request every three months. Inside Books Project also publishes the handy Resource Guide you are reading now.
Internationalist Prison Book Collective
405 West Franklin Street
Chapel Hill NC 27516
Sends free reading material to inmates in AL, MS, and NC. Does not send books to Texas inmates. Zine catalog available upon request to inmates in any state.
Ithica College Books Thru Bars
c/o Ithaca College Library
PO Box 113
Ithaca NY 14817
Sends free reading material to inmates in New York. Does not send books to Texas inmates.
LOUISIANA BOOKS 2 PRISONERS
1631 Elysian Fields Ave. #117
New Orleans LA 70117
Sends free books prisoners in the following states: AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MO, MS, NC, TN, SC, VA, WV. Women and LA prisoners are prioritized. Does not send books to Texas inmates.
MAOIST INTERNATIONALIST MINISTRY OF PRISONS
PO Box 40799
San Francisco CA 94140
Free books on Marxism, politics, history, law, dictionaries and other reference. Free anti-imperialist newsletter and political study groups for prisoners.
Midwest Pages to Prisoners Project
c/o Boxcar Books and Community Center
408 E. 6th St.
Bloomington IN 47408
Sends free reading material to inmates in AZ, AR, FL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, OK, SD, TN, and WI. Does not send books to Texas inmates.
Open Books Prison Books Project
1040 N. Guillemard St.
Pensacola FL 32501
Sends free reading material to inmates in Florida. Does not send books to Texas inmates.
PRISON BOOK PROGRAM
1306 Hancock St. Suite 100
Quincy MA 02169
Sends free reading material to inmates in all states except CA, MI, MD, NV, and TX. Does not send books to Texas inmates. Publishes the “National Prisoner Resource List” free to prisoners in any state nationwide.
THE PRISON LIBRARY PROJECT
915-C West Foothill BLVD PMB 128
Claremont CA 91711
Free reading and educational material to inmates nationwide except HI, ME, MI, NE, NV, WI, PA, and VA.
Prison Mindfulness Institute
11 South Angell St. #303
Providence RI 02906
(401) 941-0791
Sends free books on mindfulness practices, Buddhism, and other contemplative paths. Offers an online Directory of Prison Dharma Organizations, useful for prisoners seeking mentors, pen-pals, and other resources:
prisonmindfulness.org/projects/network-directory/
Prisoner Express
127 Anabel Taylor Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca NY 14853
Free books to prisoners nationwide. Must send 8 stamps or $3.50 for postage. Specify subjects of interest.
Prisoners Literature Project
c/o Bound Together Books
1369 Haight St
San Francisco CA 94117
www.prisonersliteratureproject.com
Sends free reading material to inmates nationwide.
Providence Books Through Bars
c/o Paper Nautilus Books
5 Angell Street
Providence RI 02906
Sends free reading material to inmates nationwide including targeted self-help and inspirational books upon request.
Read Between the Bars
c/o Daily Planet Publishing
P.O. Box 1589
Tucson AZ 85702-1589
Sends free reading material to inmates in AZ. Does not send to Texas inmates.
UC Books to Prisoners
PO Box 515
Urbana IL 61803
Sends free reading material to inmates in IL. Does not send to Texas inmates.
Wisconsin Books to Prisoners
c/o Rainbow Bookstore Co-operative
426 W. Gilman Street
Madison WI 53703
Sends free reading material to inmates in WI. Does not send to Texas inmates.
Death Penalty ResourcesBack to top
CAMPAIGN TO END THE DEATH PENALTY
PO Box 25730
Chicago IL 60625
National grassroots organization dedicated to the abolition of capital punishment.
CANADIAN COALITION AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY
80 Lillington Ave
Toronto Ontario
M1N 3K7 Canada
Pen pal service for Death Row inmates only; send maximum 3 paragraphs for free posting on webpage. Serves Death Row inmates in the U.S. and other countries.
CENTURION MINISTRIES
221 Witherspoon Street
Princeton NJ 08542-3215
Non-legal investigative agency for inmates sentenced to death or life-in-prison. Stringent qualifying criteria and long waiting list.
COMPASSION
140 W. South Boundary Street
Perrysburg OH 43551
Bimonthly newsletter with contributions by prisoners, free to Death Row inmates. Scholarship application for immediate family member of a murder victim.
Death Penalty Information Center
1015 - 18th St., NW, #704
Washington DC 20036
(202) 289-2275
Analysis and information on issues concerning capital punishment. Does not offer legal service.
Death Row Inmate Project
A grassroots anti-death penalty advocacy organization inspired by San Quentin, Ca death row inmates, their families, friends, and others interested in achieving social change through education of facts and issues regarding the death penalty.
DEATH ROW SUPPORT PROJECT
PO Box 600 Department P
Liberty Mills IN 46946
Faith-based pen pal services only for Death Row inmates. Mail from non-Death Row inmates will not be acknowledged.
MURDER VICTIMS’ FAMILIES FOR RECONCILIATION
405 Morson Street
Raleigh NC 27601
Community led by family members of murder victims and the executed that advocates for the repeal of the death penalty.
NATIONAL COALITION TO ABOLISH THE DEATH PENALTY
2709 S. Lamar Blvd
Austin TX 78704
Information, advocates for public policy, mobilizes and supports individuals and institutions for direct action.
TEXAS DEFENDER SERVICE
1927 Blodgett Street
Houston Texas 77004
(713) 222-7788
Aims to improve the quality of representation afforded to those facing a death sentence and to expose and eradicate the systemic flaws plaguing the Texas death penalty. Provides limited direct representation.
TEXAS MORATORIUM NETWORK
3616 Far West Blvd, Suite 117, Box 251
Austin Texas 78731
(512) 961-6389
Grassroots organization dedicated to advancing legislation to establish a temporary halt on executions in Texas.
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS CAPITAL PUNISHMENT CLINIC
School of Law
727 E. Dean Keeton St.
Austin TX 78705
www.utexas.edu/law/clinics/capital/
Law students work closely with experienced attorneys in the representation of indigent defendants charged with or convicted of capital offenses.
EducationBack to top
BLACKSTONE CAREER INSTITUTE
1011 Brookside Road, Suite 300
P.O. Box 3717
Allentown PA 18106-3717
Advanced paralegal course study by mail. Write for free information. Tuition $767.
DISTANCE EDUCATION AND TRAINING COUNCIL
1601 18th Street NW
Washington DC 20009
(202) 234-5100
List of accredited correspondence institutions.
OHIO UNIVERSITY COLLEGE PROGRAM FOR THE INCARCERATED
Ohio University Correctional Education
102 Haning Hall
1 Ohio University
Athens OH 45701
Correspondence courses for prisoners. Write for free catalog of courses offered and current prices.
PRISONERS’ GUERRILLA HANDBOOK TO CORRESPONDENCE PROGRAMS IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA
Available for $49.95 from:
Prison Legal News
P.O. Box 2420
West Brattleboro VT 05303
(802) 257-1342
Windham School District
PO Box 40
Huntsville TX 77342-0040
Windham School District (WSD) provides academic and vocational education to eligible offenders incarcerated within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ).
Family ResourcesBack to top
AMACHI TEXAS
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas
1400 Tillery Street
Austin TX 78721
(512) 472-5437
Provides an additional caring adult for children of incarcerated parents or close relatives. Ages 6-16. Serves Travis, Hays, Williamson, McLennan, Burnet and Brazos counties.
FAMILY & CORRECTIONS NETWORK
93 Old York Road Suite 1 #510
Jenkintown PA 19046
Provides ways for those concerned with families of the incarcerated to share information and experiences in an atmosphere of mutual respect. Offers an email list and many online resources.
FAMILIES AGAINST MANDATORY MINIMUMS
1100 H Street NW
Washington DC 20005
(202) 822-6700
Gathers data from inmates sentenced to mandatory minimum sentences. To submit a case for profiling, send written summary. Hundreds received, few used, but everyone receives email newsletter.
GIRL SCOUTS BEYOND BARS (Central Texas)
12012 Park Thirty-five Circle
Austin TX 78753
(512) 453-7391
Program allows incarcerated mothers and their daughters to spend positive time together to break the incarceration cycle and enhance the bond between mother and daughter during incarceration.
MOTHERS (FATHERS) FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SOCIAL SYSTEMS
3737 Atlanta Street, Dallas, TX 75215
(214) 421-0303
MASS Inc. has helped people being released from prison readjust to life without bars and providing support for the children and families of adult offenders at high risk for substance abuse, medical or emotional disorders and poverty.
PRISONTALK ONLINE
PO Box 73151
Houston TX 77273-0151
Free online forum for prisoners and their families.
TEXAS ADVOCACY PROJECT
PO Box 833
Austin TX 78767-0833
(512) 476-5377
Family Violence Legal Line:
(800) 374-4673
Family Law Hotline:
(800) 777-3247
Sexual Assault Legal Hotline:
(800) 296-7233
Non profit organization working directly with victims, shelters, law enforcement agencies and courts across Texas to deliver effective legal services to Texans in need.
TEXAS CRIMINAL JUSTICE COALITION
1714 Fortview Road, Suite 104
Austin, Texas 78704
(512) 441-8123
Policy advocacy organization which addresses problems with Texas criminal justice through networking with associations and individuals. Does not provide legal assistance to inmates.
Texas Inmate Families Association (TIFA)
P.O. Box 300220
Austin, TX 78703-0004
(512) 371-0900
Organization for family members of prisoners in Texas. Offers support, education, and advocacy. Multiple chapters across the state.
Health ResourcesBack to top
An End To Silence
The Project on Addressing Prison Rape
The Washington College of Law
4801 Massachusetts Ave NW
50th Street Bldg.
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 274-4385
www.wcl.american.edu/endsilence
National group working to end rape in prison. Also has legal resources for rape victims.
Center For Health Justice
900 Avila St., #301
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 229-0985
www.centerforhealthjustice.org
Helps incarcerated people who have HIV/AIDS.
EPILEPSY FOUNDATION
8301 Professional Place
Landover MD 20785
(800) 332-1000
For Spanish speakers:
(866) 748-8008
Advocacy organization for those living with epilepsy.
HCV Advocate
PO Box 427037
San Francisco CA 94142
Monthly newletter on Hepatitis C. Also offers Spanish resources. Free sample issue for inmates. $12/yr. subscription.
Just Detention International
3325 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 340
Los Angeles, CA 90010
(213) 384-1400
A health and human rights organization that seeks to end sexual abuse in all forms of detention. Offers a “Resource Guide for Survivors of Sexual Abuse Behind Bars” - a state-by-state guide to legal and psychological counseling 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.
Mind Freedom International
454 Willamette, Suite 216
PO Box 11284
Eugene, OR 97440-3484
(877) 623-7743
Advocates for rights of people with mental disabilities. No direct medical or legal aid offered. Information and advocacy resources available.
NATIONAL ADVOCATES FOR PREGNANT WOMEN
15 West 36th Street, Suite 901
New York, NY 10018-7910
(212) 255-9252
www.advocatesforpregnantwomen.org
Provides litigation support in both civil and criminal cases across the country, particularly for public defenders and other local lawyers faced with cases that raise legal and medical issues related to pregnancy.
NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS
3803 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 100
Arlington, VA 22203
(703) 524-7600
Nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
POSITIVELY AWARE
Attention : PA
5537 North Broadway
Chicago, IL 60640
National magazine on HIV/AIDS. Covers
treatment, social issues, financial, and legal matters. Free subscriptions to HIV-positive individuals. Issues can also be downloaded from website.
PRISM OPTICAL
PO Box 680030
North Miami FL 33168
Providers of affordable eye-wear to prisoners nationwide. Write for catalog.
Prison Health News
c/o Philadelphia FIGHT
1233 Locust St., 5th floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 985-4448
fight.org/fight-programs/institute-for-community-justice/prison-health-news/
Quarterly newsletter for prisoners - write in to be added to newsletter list.
Prison Yoga Project: A Path for Healing and Recovery
P.O. Box 415
Bolinas, CA 94924
givebackyoga.org/shop/prison-yoga-project-a-path-for-healing-and-recovery
Free 100-page yoga manual written especially for people in prison. Write for a free copy. Focuses on the self-reflection and personal discipline The book contains guides for physical practice (asana), breathing (pranayama) and meditation (dyhana).
RAPE, ABUSE AND INCEST NATIONAL NETWORK (RAINN)
2000 L Street NW Suite 406
Washington DC 20036
National sexual assault hotline:
(800) 656-4673
Works to prevent sexual assault, help victims, and bring rapists to justice.
SEX ADDICTS ANONYMOUS
PO Box 70949
Houston TX 77270
(800) 477-8191
Spiritual program based on the principles and traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Survivors of Incest Anonymous
World Service Office
PO Box 190
Benson, MD 21018
Organization for sexual abuse survivors using the 12 step method. Free literature.
Texas Association Against Sexual Assault
6200 La Calma Drive, Suite 110
Austin, TX 78752
Office: (512) 474-7190
Toll-free 24-hour Hotline: (800) 656-4679
Founded to assist sexual assault survivors and to create a Texas free from sexual violence. Connects survivors to rape crisis
centers around Texas.
TEXAS MEDICAL BOARD
Attention: Investigations
P.O. Box 2018
Austin, TX 78768-2018
(512) 305-7100
Investigates medical malpractice reports.
Immigration ResourcesBack to top
Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR)
www.justice.gov/eoir/index.html
Dallas Office:
1100 Commerce St #404
Dallas TX 75202
(214) 767-1814
El Paso Office:
700 E. San Antonio Avenue
Suite 750
El Paso, TX 79901
(915) 534-6020
Houston Office:
Continental Center II
600 Jefferson, Suite 900
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 718-3870
San Antonio Office:
800 Dolorosa Street, Suite 300
San Antonio, TX 78207
(210) 472-6637
Conducts immigration court proceedings, appellate reviews, and administrative hearings.
Immigration Detention Justice Center
Offers legal information and resources to immigrants facing deportation and incarceration. Also provides basic information on getting a loved one released from immigration detention, immigration bonds, the removal process, immigration courts and judges, and finding an immigration lawyer.
National Immigration Project
c/o National Lawyer’s Guild
14 Beacon St., Suite 602
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 227-9727
www.nationalimmigrationproject.org
The National Immigration Project has five programmatic priority areas:
- Criminal + Deportation Defense
- Victims of Crimes & Intimate Partner Violence
- Raids and Immigration Enforcement
- Noncitizens Living with HIV/AIDS
- Defending Political Rights
US Citizenship and Immigration Service
(800) 375-5283
Dallas Field Office:
6500 Campus Circle Drive East
Irving, TX 75063.
El Paso Field Office:
1545 Hawkins Boulevard
El Paso, TX 79925
Harlingen Field Office:
1717 Zoy Street
Harlingen, TX 78552
Houston Field Office.
126 Northpoint Drive
Houston, TX 77060.
San Antonio Field Office:
8940 Fourwinds Drive
San Antonio, TX 78239
The government agency that oversees lawful immigration to the United States.
Información en EspanolBack to top
Caridades Catolicas del Centro de Tejas
Officina de Asuntos Migratorios
1625 Rutherford
Austin, TX 78754
Asesorar a inmigrantes documentados e indocumentados sobre sus derechos.
GLOBAL EXCHANGE
2017 Mission Street, Second Floor
San Francisco CA 94110
Una organización internacional de derechos humanos que fomenta la justicia social incluso para los inmigrantes encarcelados en los EU.
Immigration Equality
40 Exchange Place, 17th floor
New York, NY 10005
(212)714-2904
Informacion para inmigrantes que son Lesbian/Gay/Bi/Trans.
LATINO COMMISSION ON AIDS
24 West, 25th Street, 9th Floor
New York NY 10010
(212) 675-3288
Informacion sobre la SIDA en espanol.
MEXICAN CONSULATE
410 Baylor St.
Austin TX 78703
(512) 478-2866
Help for imprisoned Mexican nationals; Ayuda para los mexicanos encarcelados.
National Network for Immigrant & Refugee Rights (NNIRR)
310 8th St., Ste. 303
Oakland, CA 94609
(510) 465-1984
Trabaja para inmigrantes y educacion sobre immigracion.
PROJECT INFORM
205 13th Street, #2001
San Francisco CA 94103
Información en español sobre la SIDA.
Proyecto de Asilo Politico de Austin (PARA)
314 E. Highland Mall Blvd Ste 501
Austin, TX 78752
(512) 478-0546
Proporiciona servicios juridicos gratis o de bajo costo y educacion para promover el trato justo a immigrantes y refugiados en el area central de Tejas.
Proyecto de Proteccion para Inmigrantes Victimas de Crimen (IVCPP)
314 E. Highland Mall Blvd., Ste. 501
Austin, TX 78752,
(512) 478-0546
Provee ayuda los individuos mas vulnerables de nuestra sociedad, inmigrantes victimas de crimen, a traves de proveerles la oportunidad de escapar de un situacion peligrosa y reportar los crimens cometidos contra ellos.
TEXAS MEDICAL BOARD
Attention: Investigations
Mail Code 263
P.O. Box 2018
Austin, TX 78768-2018
Vease la dirección en la sección anterior. Las quejas sobre médicos, así como sobre otros profesionales acreditados e inscritos en la Junta de Examinadores Médicos del Estado de Texas se pueden presentar en esta dirección para ser investigadas.
Legal ResourcesBack to top
Actual Innocence Clinic
The University of Texas School of Law
727 East Dean Keeton Street
Austin TX 78705
(512) 471-1317
www.utexas.edu/law/clinics/innocence/
Screens and investigates claims that inmates are actually innocent of the offense they are serving time for. Immediate reply to inquiries, but not all cases are accepted.
American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
1990 M Street, Suite 610
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 244-2990
Civil rights organization committed to defending the rights of people of Arab descent and promoting their rich cultural heritage.
Annual Review of Criminal Procedure
c/o Office of Journal Administration-ARCP
Georgetown Law
600 New Jersey Avenue, NW
Washington DC 20001
georgetownlawjournal.org/annual-review-of-criminal-procedure/
Annual Review of Criminal Procedure is written, updated, and edited by members of The Georgetown Law Journal. Includes information on federal criminal procedure, habeas corpus relief, and prisoners’ rights. $25 for 41st edition, $15 for 40th edition - check or money order only. Request order form via postal mail or download from website.
Asian Pacific American Legal Center
1145 Wilshire Blvd., 2nd floor
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(888) 349-9695
Provides legal services and education to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, especially those who speak little or no English.
Jailhouse Lawyer’s Handbook
c/o National Lawyers’ Guild
132 Nassau Street, Room 922
New York, NY 10038
(212) 679-5100
A resource for prisoners wishing to file a lawsuit regarding prison conditions and/or staff abuse. Write to request a copy, send $2 - check, money order or stamps. Handbook also available as a free download.
Jailhouse Lawyer’s Manual
Columbia Human Rights Law Review
Attn: JLM Order
435 West 116th Street
New York, NY 10027
www3.law.columbia.edu/hrlr/jlm/toc/
Explains the legal rights of prisoners and how to navigate through the justice process to secure those rights. JLM 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. Written and updated by members of the Columbia Human Rights Law Review. Print copy of JLM may be ordered direct from publisher. 9th edition (2012) is $30 for prisoners including shipping - check or money order only. Entire JLM is available for free online.
The Innocence Network
An affiliation of organizations dedicated to providing pro bono legal and investigative services to individuals seeking to prove innocence of crimes for which they have been convicted and working to redress the causes of wrongful convictions. The Innoncence Network lists member organizations listed elsewhere in this section including the Actual Innocence Clinic, the Innocence Project, the Innocence Project of Texas, the Innocence Project of Thurgood Marshall School of Law, the Innocence Project of Wesleyan University and others.
The Innocence Project
40 Worth St., Suite 701
New York, NY 10013
(212) 364-5340
Assists prisoners whose innocence can be proven through DNA testing. Send a brief factual summary of cases involving biological evidence or DNA with a list of evidence used against defendant. No other documents should be submitted for initial review.
The Innocence Project of Texas
1511 Texas Avenue
Lubbock, TX 79409
(806) 744-6525
Dedicated to investigating claims of innocence made by inmates and others who have been convicted of crimes they did not commit. To submit a case for investigation, send a letter including information about the crime of conviction, your contact information, and a description of any evidence that could help to prove your innocence. Please note the following initial guidelines:
- Felony convictions only
- Texas convictions only
- No Federal cases
- Must be alleging “actual innocence,” which is defined as either a situation in which a crime did occur but you did not have anything to do with it or a situation in which no crime occurred.
- Conviction must be final
Innocence Project of Thurgood marshall school of law
Earl Carl Institute for Legal and Social Policy
Texas Southern University
3100 Cleburne Street
Houston, Texas 77004
(713) 313-1139 (ask for the Center for Criminal Justice Associate Director)
www.earlcarlinstitute.org/centers/criminal_justice/innocence_project.shtml
Reviews claims of actual innocence made by inmates who have been wrongfully convicted. Only handles claims of actual innocence involving DNA evidence testing, mistaken identification, or evidence that a crime never actually occurred. Does not challenge the original trial but rather looks for new evidence to disprove original conviction.
Innocence Project of Wesleyan UniveRsity
Texas Wesleyan Univesity School of Law
1515 Commerce Street
Fort Worth, TX 76102
Does not provide legal aid but rather investigates claims of actual innocence. To submit a case for investigation, please write in with the following details:
- Full Name
- Phone Number
- Criminal Charge
- County of Prosecution
- Cause Number(s)
- Short summary of what happened
- Why the individual believes that he/she is “actually innocent.”
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas
600 East Weatherford Street
Fort Worth, TX 76102
(800) 955-3959
(888) 529-5277 (Centralized Intake Hotline)
Provides free civil legal services to eligible low-income residents in 114 Texas counties, with offices in Abilene, Amarillo, Brownwood, Dallas, Denton, Fort Worth, Lubbock, McKinney, Midland, Odessa, Plainview, San Angelo, Waxahachie, Weatherford and Wichita Falls.
Legal Services Corporation
3333 K Street, NW, 3rd Floor
Washington, DC 20007-3522
(202) 295-1500
Contact for referrals offering legal aid in your area.
Legal Services Support
State Bar of Texas
P.O. Box 12487
Austin, Texas 78711-2487
(800) 204-2222, ext. 1855
Refers low income persons to Legal Aid programs in their community for civil issues only. Legal Aid, which normally helps low-income people with civil legal problems, is unable to help inmates while in prison. Legal Services Support does not provide direct legal services for clients, represent clients in legal matters, maintain a list of pro bono (free) attorneys, or place clients with pro bono attorneys. Legal Services Support publishes the comprehensive and up-to-date “Referral Directory : Legal Services and Other Resources for Low-IncomeTexans” which can be downloaded at:
www.texasbar.com/referraldirectory
Lone Star Legal Aid
1415 Fannin Street
Houston, TX 77002
(800) 733-8394
Fourth largest service provider of free legal aid in the United States. Serves 72 counties mostly in East Texas.
MUSLIM LEGAL FUND OF AMERICA
2701 W. 15th St. Suite 640
Plano TX 75075
(972) 331-9021
Committed to preserving, safeguarding, and promoting the civil rights of Muslims in the US. Legal assistance in some cases.
NATional LEGAL AID & DEFENDER ASSociation
1140 Connecticut Ave NW Ste 900
Washington DC 20036
(202) 452-0620
Directory of Legal Aid and Defender Offices (2007-08) lists over 3,000 civil legal aid and public defender offices in the US, local and national support and resource centers, and sentencing advocates and mitigation specialists who work with public defenders and other criminal defense attorneys - $100.
Oxford University Press
2001 Evans Road
Cary, North Carolina 27513
(800) 445-9714
Publishes the following legal manuals. Check or money only. Please add $5.50 shipping for the first book, $1.50 for each additional book.
- BRIEF WRITING AND ORAL ARGUMENT
Explains the essentials of legal writing and oral presentation, legal document samples, trial and appellate advocacy techniques - $47.
- AN INTRODUCTION TO THE LEGAL SYSTEM OF THE U.S.
A general introduction to the structure and function of the legal system of the United States. Especially useful for those readers who lack familiarity with fundamental establishments and practices. - $37.50.
- PRISONERS’ SELF-HELP LITIGATION MANUAL
Covers legal research, the legal system, prisoners’ rights, federal postconviction remedies, law library requirements, civil rights forms, parole, how to litigate in federal courts, and more - $39.95
Prison Legal News
P.O. Box 2420
West Brattleboro, VT 05303
(802) 257-1342
An independent 56-page monthly magazine that provides a cutting edge review and analysis of prisoner rights, court rulings and news about prison issues. PLN has a national (U.S.) focus on both state and federal prison issues, with international coverage as well. PLN provides information that enables prisoners and other concerned individuals and organizations to seek the protection and enforcement of prisoner’s rights at the grass roots level. PLN is published by the Human Rights Defense Center. $30 for one year subscription for prisoners. Also offers online resources - some free and some paid - including listserv, research, and articles.
SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER
400 Washington Ave.
Montgomery AL 36104
(334) 956-8200
Civil rights organization dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of society. Advocates for prisoners’ rights and offers some legal resources.
State Bar of Texas Lawyer Referral Information Service (LRIS)
State Bar of Texas
Attn: LRIS
P.O. Box 12487
Austin, Texas 78711-2487
(800) 252-9690
(877) 983-9227
Referrals to private (paid) attorneys. Attorneys charge an initial consultation fee of $20 for the first 30 minutes and charge their regular fees beyond that.
TDCJ OFFENDER GRIEVANCE PROGRAM
PO Box 99
Huntsville TX 77342-0099
Contact to comment on the grievance procedure. Grievances must be filed from within units per TDCJ policy. Do not contact the TDCJ Offender Grievance Program with direct grievances.
TEXAS COMMISSION FOR LAWYER DISCIPLINE
Attention: CAAP
PO Box 12487
Austin TX 78711-2487
(800) 932-1900
Write to request a grievance form.
TEXAS CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYERS ASSOCIATION
6808 Hill Meadow Drive
Austin, TX 78736
(512) 478-2514
Referrals to attorneys; some pro bono.
Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
300 South Texas Boulevard
Weslaco, TX 78596
(800) 369-0574
Third largest legal services provider in the nation and the largest in the state of Texas. Provides free legal services to low-income residents in sixty-eight counties of Southwest Texas. Offices in Austin, San Antonio, Brownsville, Laredo, El Paso, Del Rio and more.
Volunteer Legal Services of Central TeXas
816 Congress Ave. Suite 701
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 476-5550
Helps low-income clients access the civil justice system by providing volunteer attorneys who donate free legal advice and representation.
L-G-B-T ResourcesBack to top
BLACK AND PINK
614 Columbia Rd
Dorchester, MA 02125
Provides a free monthly newsletter of prisoner written material, hosts an online listing of penpals, coordinates an art program, provides direct advocacy when possible, and offers religious and erotic materials upon request.
Gay Buddhist Fellowship
PMB 456
2215-R Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94114
Supports Buddhist practice in the gay men’s community. Monthly newsletter.
Human Rights Campaign
1640 Rhode Island Ave. N.W.
Washington, DC 20036-3278
202-628-4160
(800) 777-4723
Working for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender equal rights.
INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR GENDER EDUCATION
P.O. Box 540229
Waltham, MA 02454-0229
(781) 894-8340
(781) 899-2212
Resources, books to promote understanding and acceptance of all sexual orientations.
National Center for Transgender Equality
1325 Massachussetts Ave. NW, Suite 700 Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 903-0112
Dedicated to advancing the equality of transgender people through advacacy, collaboration and empowerment.
Prisoner Correspondence Project
QPIRG Concordia
c/o Concordia University,
1455 de Maisonneuve O
Montreal, QC H3G 1M8
info@prisonercorrespondenceproject.com
www.prisonercorrespondenceproject.com
Resource program for lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender inmates.
SINISTER WISDOM INC
PO Box 3252
Berkeley CA 94703
Lesbian literary journal free to women in prisons and mental institutions.
Sylvia Rivera Law Project
147 W 24th St, 5th Floor
New York NY 10011
(212) 337-8550
Provides direct representation for low income transgender people and transgender people of color, including a “Prisoner Rights Project” that assists with the following areas:
- Name Changes
- Assistance Getting Trans-affirming health care
- Assistance with Safety Issues
- Advocacy for gender-affirming placement and conditions
- Re-Entry Assistance
- Fingerprinting and criminal history check
Transgender, Gender Variant & Intersex Justice Project (TGIJP)
342 9th Street, Suite 202B
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 252-1444
Offers advice and resources to transgender people. Also offeres newsletter, resource guide and survival guide for transgendered prisoners.
TRANZMISSION PRISON BOOKS
P.O. Box 1874
Asheville, NC 28801
Offers free books and resources to LGBT inmates.
Parole + Pre-ReleaseBack to top
Employment Information Handbook
c/o National Institute of Corrections
320 First St. NW room 5002
Washington DC 20534
(202) 307-3198
www.bop.gov/inmate_programs/emp_info_handbk.pdf
Handbook sists employers who hire ex-offenders and federal programs to help ex-offenders, and more. Updated 2011. Free upon written request or download online.
EXODUS MINISTRIES INC.
4630 Munger Avenue, Suite 110
Dallas TX 75204
(214) 827-3772
Provides a 20-unit apartment building for reentering mothers with child custody. 9-month program includes job, personal and financial counseling, and child care.
GALAXY COUNSELING CENTER
1025 South Jupiter Rd.
Garland TX 75042
(972) 272-4429
Family counseling, group therapy, anger management services. Free information upon request. Centers in Dallas, Garland, Plano, and Richardson Texas. Non-profit, sliding scale based on income.
IMPACT PUBLICATIONS
9104-N Manassas Drive
Manassas Park VA 20111
(703) 361-7300
Series of handbooks with information for ex-offenders including:
- Best Jobs for Ex-Offenders
- Ex-Offender’s 30/30 Job Solution
- Ex-Offender’s Job Interview Guide
- Ex-Offender’s Quick Job Hunting Guide
- Ex-Offender’s Re-Entry Success Guide
- Re-Entry Employment and Life Skills Pocket Guide
Write for a free listing of other titles and an order form.
The National Reentry Resource Center
100 Wall Street, 20th Floor
New York, NY 10005
(877) 332-1719
Does not offer direct services to individuals. Offers online resources for individuals returning home including an online resource listing reentry services, categorized by state:
csgjusticecenter.org/reentry/reentry-service-directories/
SALVATION ARMY
6500 Harry Hines Blvd
Dallas TX 75235
(214) 956-6000
Regularly updated listing of halfway houses, a free residential rehabilitation center, and Bible correspondence course for prisoners.
TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF GOODWILLS
12400 Highway 71 West Suite 350
PMB #174
Austin TX 78738
(512) 263.8920
Walk-in job placement centers in many locations across Texas. Send a letter requesting a list of locations at the above address or look to website.
TEXAS RE-ENTRY SERVICES
1408 Saint Louis Avenue
Fort Worth, TX 76104
(817) 834-2833
Provides ex-offenders in Tarrant County with opportunities and means to become productive, contributing members of society. Offers a wide range of client services in order to better prepare ex-offenders for their reintroduction into society.
TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION
Labor Market Information Department
(866) 938-4444
www.twc.state.tx.us/dirs/wdbs/wdbmap.html
Online directory to 28 local workforce development boards for job search resources, training programs, resumé and application preparation, career development.
Pen Pal ProgramsBack to top
A Cup of Water Ministries
P.O. Box 161759
Ft. Worth, Texas 76161-1759
Pen pal ministry. connect inmates with ministries for books, bible studies, etc.
CANADIAN COALITION AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY
80 Lillington Ave
Toronto Ontario
M1N 3K7, Canada
Pen pal service for Death Row inmates only; send maximum 3 paragraphs for free posting on webpage. Serves Death Row inmates in the U.S. and other countries.
CHRISTIAN PEN PALS
Attn: Veterans’ Ministry
PO Box 2112
Statesville NC 28687
veteranministry.com/registeraninmate.htm
Pen pals for incarcerated veterans. To register, provide name, TDCJ number, and address, DOB, length of sentence, release date, education level, dates of military service, religion, a statement about you and what you want in a pen pal.
FRIENDS BEYOND THE WALL
Attn: New Ad Orders
2600 South Road, Suite 44-244
Poughkeepsie NY 12601
Pen pal listings since 1999. $40 per year with extra services.
Meet-An-Inmate
P.O. Box 1342
Pendleton, Oregon 97801
Request information and application by writing the address above. Prisoners can list their address and information from $20 per six months.
OUTLAWS ONLINE
Outlaws Online
PO Box 333
Inverness, FL 34451
Send for brochure listing prices for paid pen pal ads.
Prison Pen Pals
P. O. Box 235
East Berlin, PA 17316-0235
Request a brochure and application by mail. Prisoners can list address and information from $10 per year.
REACHING BEYOND THE WALLS
PO Box 6905
Rutland, VT 05702-6905
michael@reachingbeyondthewalls.com
www.reachingbeyondthewalls.com
Nonprofit, nonreligious. Free Pen Pal listing on website can include text, pictures, art, poetry etc. Write for questionnaire, include SASE.
Prisoner SupportBack to top
ACLU National Prison Project
915 15th street N.W.
Washington, DC 20005
www.aclu.org/prisoners-rights/
Dedicated to ensuring that U.S. prisons, jails, and other places of detention comply with the Constitution, domestic law, and international human rights principles. ACLU National Prison Project publishes numerous resources including:
- “Prisoners’ Assistance Directory” (list of resources by state and by subject, please indicate your needs)
- “Know Your Rights: Medical, Dental and Mental Health Care”
- “Know Your Rights: Freedom of Religion”
- “Know Your Rights: Publications Sent by Mail”
- “Know Your Rights: Legal Rights of Disabled Prisoners”
- “Know Your Rights: Environmental Hazards and Toxic Materials”
- “Know Your Rights: The Prison Litigation Reform Act”
- “Know Your Rights: Privileged and Non-Privileged Mail”
The NPP does not assist individual prisoners with criminal cases. Download above listed publications online or mail in to request printed copy. Please do not send any court documents or documents that you need returned. Note that wait times for printed publications via mail request may be very long due to the volume of prisoner correspondence.
ACLU OF TEXAS
State Headquarters
P.O. Box 8306
Houston, TX 77288-8306
(713) 942-8146
(888) 653-6498 toll free
ACLU of Texas - Austin Regional Office
P.O. Box 12905
Austin, TX 78711-2905
(512) 478-7300
ACLU of Texas - Brownsville Regional Office
P.O. Box 6087
Brownsville, TX 78523-6087
(956) 465-1905
Works in the courts, the legislature, and through public education to protect civil rights and individual liberty. Please do not send legal complaints or request for legal assistance to the above addresses.
CRITICAL RESISTANCE
1904 Franklin Street, Suite 504
Oakland, CA 94612
Building an international movement to end the prison industrial complex.
DEPartment OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
810 Vermont Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20420
VA Benefits: (800) 827-1000
GI Bill: (888) 442-4551
Health Care Benefits: (877) 222-8387
Mammography Helpline: (888) 492-7844
Toxic issues, Agent Orange, Gulf War Syndrome, etc.: (800) 749-8387
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program offered to those with an honorable discharge. Mail for application.
Direct Action for Rights And Equality
340 Lockwood Street
Providence, RI 02907
(401) 351-6960
Organizes low-income families in communities of color for social, economic and political justice.
Disabled American Veterans
Waco Regional Office:
1 Veterans Plaza, 701 Clay St.
Waco, TX 76799
(254) 299-9932
Houson Regional Office
6900 Almeda Road, Rm. 1033
Houston, TX 77030
(713) 383-2715
San Antonio Contact Office:
5788 Eckhert Road, Rm. 2A112
San Antonio, TX 78240
(210) 699-5064
Dedicated to building better lives for America’s disabled veterans and their families.
DISABILITY RIGHTS EDUCATION And DEFENSE FUND
3075 Adeline St. Suite 210
Berkeley, CA 94703
(510) 644-2555
Legal aid for cases involving civil rights violations related to disability.
NAACP LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATIONAL FUND, INC.
99 Hudson Street, Suite 1600
New York NY 10013
212-965-2200
Legal aid focused on cases involving issues of racial justice.
NATional CENTER ON INSTITUTIONS AND ALTERNATIVES
7222 Ambassador Rd.
Baltimore MD 21244
(410) 265-1490
Criminal justice services to defense attorneys, defendants, inmates, and court systems throughout the US.
NATIONAL CURE
P. O. Box 2310
Washington, DC 20013-2310
(202) 789-2126
Grassroots organization believes that prisons should be used only for those who absolutely must be incarcerated and that those who are incarcerated should have all of the resources they need to turn their lives around.
NATIONAL VETERANS LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM
c/o Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program
PO Box 65762
Washington DC 20035
(202) 265-8305
Pro-bono legal program for veterans denied benefits.
PRISON ACTIVIST RESOURCE CENTER
PO Box 70447
Oakland, CA 94612
Working to expose and challenge the institutionalized racism and classism of the prison industrial complex. Resource directory free to prisoners upon request.
Project for Older Prisoners
c/o Jonathan Turley
National Law Center
2000 H Street NW
Washington, DC 20052
(202) 994-7001
www.law.gwu.edu/Academics/EL/clinics/Pages/POPS.aspx
Students assist individual low-risk prisoners over the age of 55 to help them obtain paroles, pardons, or alternative forms of incarceration.
THE PRISON SHOW
KPFT 90.1FM Houston
419 Lovett Blvd
Houston TX 77006
(713) 526-5738
Radio show airs Friday night 9:00–11:00 p.m. on Houston Pacifica radio. Created by Ray Hill, former convict turned advocate for Texas inmates. Currently hosted by Kathryn Griffin. Long distance call-ins accepted at 9:20 p.m.
TEXAS COMMISSION ON
JAIL STANDARDS
300 West 15th Street #503
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 463-5505
Receives complaints on county jails only - do not send complaints about TDCJ.
TEXAS JAIL PROJECT
1712 E. Riverside Drive, Box 190
Austin TX 78741
(512) 597-8746
To improve conditions for Texas prisoners by publicizing the widespread abuse and neglect city and county jails in Texas. TDCJ prisons not included.
Publications + MagazinesBack to top
AK Press
674- A 23rd Street
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 208-1700
Publisher of anarchist books. 30% discount for prisoners. Send 3 stamps for catalog.
Biddle Publishing Company
PO Box 732
Southeastern, PA 19399-0732
(610) 213-3735
Criminal justice series includes Going To Prison? ($9.95), plus books on death penalty and life inside.
Carolina Academic Press
700 Kent St.
Durham, NC 27701
Publishes many self-help legal books. Write free for catalog. Also accepts manuscripts.
Coaltion for Prisoner’S Rights Newsletter
PO Box 1911
Santa Fe, NM 87504-1911
realcostofprisons.org/coalition.html
Regularly published newsletter on rights of prisoners and legal issues for prisoners. To receive monthly issues by mail, send CPR a stamped self-addressed envelope with CPR as the return address. Up to 12 stamped self-addressed envelopes can be sent at one time. Newsletter may also be downloaded from CPR website.
East Bay Prisoner Support
P.O. Box 22449
Oakland, CA 94609
eastbayprisonersupport.wordpress.com
Sends free anarchist and other literature (up to 30 sheets) to prisoners in CA, AZ, NM, TX, UT and NV. Sends zines to queer, trans and women prisoners in any state. Write in to receive a catalog.
The Fire Inside
c/o California Coalition for Women Prisoners
1540 Market St., Suite 490
San Francisco CA 94102
Quarterly publication for and about women in prison.
Fortune News
Attn.: Fortune News Subscriptions
29-76 Northern Blvd.
Long Island City, NY 11101
Free newsletter on criminal justice issues. Parent organization - The Fortune Society - offers extensive prisoner support to inmates in New York City area.
Inmate Magazine Service, Inc.
PO Box 2063
Fort Walton Beach FL 32549
(855) 936-4674 - toll free
Offers discounted magazine subscriptions to inmates.
Justice Denied
PO Box 68911
Seattle, WA 98168
Reasonably priced books on prison issues. Publishes an online magazine (and accepts written submissions) about issues relating to wrongful conviction. Write for a catalog.
PAPERBACK SWAP N SHOP
1111 Fm 517 Rd E
Dickinson TX 77539
(281) 534-3370
Purchase a “grab bag” of used paperbacks for an inmate, 30 books for $34. Order by phone, online, or in person. Mails to Texas prisons.
Prison Action News
For subscriptions, write to:
Boston ABC
PO Box 230182
Boston, MA 02123
Send submissions to:
PAN
Po Box 832
Watertown MA 02472
Prisoner resistance reports from around world. Published twice a year.
Prison Legal News
P.O. Box 2420
West Brattleboro, VT 05303
(802) 257-1342
Online bookstore offering many titles pertinent to prisoners including many legal resources. Also publishes a 56 page monthly monthly magazine. See details under the “Legal” section of this Resource Guide.
Prison Grievances: when to write, how to write
A graphic novel that explains the grievance rules and regulations in Texas prisons. Ask your librarian to order a copy for your prison library - $8.46 from Amazon.com. The guide will also be available in Spanish in February 2015.
Solitary Watch
PO Box 11374
Washington, D.C. 20008
Information, advocacy, and resources relating to solitary confinement. Publishes a quarterly print edition available for download from the website and available in print by writing the address above.
South End Press
PO Box 382132
Cambridge MA 02238
Radical books, 50% discount for prisoners. Write for catalog.
Texas Prison Bookstore
1301 Dupont Drive
Orange, Texas 77630
(409) 232-0032
texasprisonbookstore@yahoo.com
TDCJ approved bookstore that sells and sends books to Texas inmates.
Religious + SpiritualBack to top
ALEPH INSTITUTE
9540 Collins Avenue
Surfside FL 33154
(305) 864-5553
Offers Jewish religious instruction to prisoners, religious articles, correspondence courses, and counseling.
American Friends Service Committee
1501 Cherry Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 241-7000
Quaker group that works on non-violence issues, including prison reform. Chapters around the U.S.
American Jewish Committee
PO Box 705
New York, NY 10150
(212)751-4000
Catholic Home Study Service
PO Box 363
Perryville, MO 63775
Offers Catholic study courses.
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS
(888) 537-7111
Call to request a free Book of Mormon.
CROSSROADS BIBLE INSTITUTE
PO Box 900
Grand Rapids, MI 49509-0900
(800) 668-2450
Offers bible correspondence courses free of charge to inmates. Offers reentry program to connect with local resources.
ENGAGED ZEN FOUNDATION
PO Box 213
Sedwick, ME 04676-0213
Free Zen Buddhist resources.
Gassho Newsletter
Attn: Gassho
1167-C Zonolite Place
Atlanta GA 30306
A free publication created by and written for incarcerated sangha practitioners. Articles discuss prison life and the practice of Buddhism for those serving time. Each issue is produced in conjunction with the Atlanta Soto Zen Center. Inmates may write and request to be on the mailing list. Also, we welcome questions, articles, artwork, etc. from prisoners for publication.
Human Kindness Foundation
PO Box 61619
Durham, NC 27715
(919) 383-5160
Publishes the book “We’re All Doing Time: a Guide for Getting Free” an interfaith publication dedicated to obtaining personal and spiritual freedom. Book is offered free to any prisoner - English and Spanish versions available. Write for free copy.
INTERNATIONAL PRISON MINISTRY
P.O Box 2868
Costa Mesa CA 92628-2868
(800) 527-1212
Bibles, concordances, and other Christian literature free to inmates.
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS
Los Angeles ISKCON
3764 Watseka Avenue
Los Angeles CA 90034-4000
Free books on Krishna consciousness.
ISLAMIC ASSOCIATION OF NORTH TEXAS (IANT)
840 Abrams Road
Richardson TX 75081
Sends Qurans and pamphlets on Islamic study to inmates and prison libraries.
ISLAMIC SOCiety OF NORTH AMERICA
PO Box 38
Plainfield IN 46168
Sends Qurans and other introductory books on Islamic study to prison libraries and inmates. Ability to send books depends on your prison’s policies. No catalog available, but write in to receive books.
JEWISH PRISONER SERVICES INTERNATIONAL
PO Box 85840
Seattle WA 98145-1840
(206) 528-0363
Provides educational, religious, cultural and spiritual resources to Jewish inmates, releasees, and their families, including free Torahs, prayer books, and other Jewish literature.
MIRACLES PRISONER MINISTRY
501 East Adams Street
Wisconsin Dells WI 53965
(608) 253-9598
Offers a 12-step Spiritual Recovery Correspondence Course. Year-long program of study, minimum commitment of 60 days required. Workbooks supplied at no cost. Course may be taken by prisoners or friends and family of prisoners.
Mt. Zion Bible Bookstore
2603 W. Wright St.
Pensacola FL 32505
Religious books.
Naljor Prison Dharma Service
naljorprisondharmaservice.org/prisonservice.htm
A project of SourcePoint Global Outreach. Provides services and resource materials to men and women in prison throughout the United States and to numerous prison outreach organizations. Provides the following resources available online only:
- The Heart of Dharma Collection (a selection of 10 precious Buddhist Dharma teachings)
- Glossary of Buddhist Terms
- 29-page Resource Directory for Prisoners offering spiritual resources for prisoners
PAN AMERICAN LITERATURE MISSION
5215 East Fort Lowell Road
Tucson AZ 85712
Free Bible correspondence courses and Bibles to prisoners.
Set Free Prison Ministries
P.O. Box 5440
Riverside CA 92517
Christian faith-based, non-profit ministry offers bible correspondence courses.
Shalom Center
6711 Lincoln Drive
Philadelphia PA 19119
(215) 844-8494
Jewish organization dedicated to promoting peace and justice.
ST. DISMAS GUILD
PO Box 2129
Escondid CA 92033
Free newsletter and Catholic literature.
WORLDWIDE VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS
PO Box 740273
Dallas TX 75374
(972) 234-6009
Self-help support group, marriage seminar, information, mentoring, religious ministry, and family counseling.
Resources For WomenBack to top
2000 ROSES FOUNDATION INC.
P.O. Box 227015
Dallas TX 75222-7015
(214) 941-1333
Provides safe transitional housing, education, job training and entrepreneurial skills to help women live successfully after incarceration.
BATTERED WOMEN’S JUSTICE PROJECT
c/o BWJP Defense Office
125 South 9th Street, Suite 302
Philadelphia PA 19107
Provides assistance and information to battered women charged with crimes and to their defense teams. Free newsletter. Does not offer direct legal representation.
Chicago Books to Women in Prison
PO Box 14778
Chicago IL 60614
Sends free reading material to female inmates in IL, IN, OH, MS, CT, AZ, KY, FL and CA. Does not send to Texas inmates.
Families United for Racial + Economic Equality (FUREE)
81 Willoughby Street #701
Brooklyn NY 11201
(718) 852-2960
Brooklyn-based multiracial organization made up of almost exclusively women of color. Organizes low-income families to build power to change the system so that all people’s work is valued.
Fuerza Unida
710 New Laredo Hwy
San Antonio TX 78211
(210) 927-2294
Women’s group that helps families achieve justice through education, organizing, and advocacy.
Hasting’s Women’s Law Journal
U.C. Hastings College of the Law
200 McAllister Street
San Francisco CA 94102-4707
Seeking submissions from women in prison about their experiences.
Justice Now
1322 Webster Street, Suite 210
Oakland CA 94612
Justice Now is the first teaching law clinic in the country solely focused on the needs of women prisoners. Interns and staff provide legal services in areas of need identified by women prisoners, including:
- compassionate release
- healthcare access
- defense of parental rights
- sentencing mitigation
- placement in community-based programs
Tenacious: Art and Writing by Women in Prison
c/o V. Law - Black Star Publishing
PO Box 20388
Tompkins Square Station
New York NY 10009
Zine by female inmates. $3 per zine, back issues available.
Women and Prison
Beyondmedia Education
4001 N. Ravenswood Ave. Suite 204-B
Chicago IL 60613
Online publisher covering issue of women in prison. Write for submission guidelines.
WOMEN ORGANIZED TO RESPOND TO LIFE-THREATENING DISEASES
449 15th Street, Suite 303
Oakland CA 94612
(510) 986-0340
Publishes a quarterly newsletter that includes a cover story of an inspiring woman living with HIV, treatment information and advocacy tips. Send for information and referrals on AIDS and other life threatening diseases.
WOMEN’S PRISON BOOK PROJECT
c/o Boneshaker Books
2002 23rd Ave S
Minneapolis MN 55404
Free books and reading materials to women and transgendered folks incarcerated in state and federal facilities. Serves all US states except CA, CT, FL, IL, IN, MA, MI, MS, OH, OR, and PA.