Resources: Regional Advocacy Organizations

LSA offers a free monthly newsletter, Lifer-Line, and the quarterly California Lifer Newsletter with reviews of the latest published and unpublished state and federal cases concerning parole issues, parole board news, legislation and articles on prison, parole and correctional issues of interest to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. Subscription rates are: Inmates, $35 per year, $60 for 2 yrs, $90 for 3 yrs. Free individuals, $99 per year, $180 for 2 years. Also correspondence courses on several subjects relevant to parole suitability.   Sign up for free newsletter and correspondence courses on the website, www.lifesupportalliance.org.  Focuses on the California lifer population, but anyone can benefit from their information.

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 They do not publish a hard copy newsletter.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. Serves Arizona only. 

Missouri Prison Reform is a nonprofit organization that advocates for Missouri’s incarcerated and their families by elevating their voices, advocating for their needs, and exposing harmful policies that undermine our overall goal of harm reduction, healing, and rehabilitation. Their primary focus is on humantarian rights, health care and sentence reform. You can use their online form to let them know of issues you or your loved one has regarding a Missouri Department of Corrections facility, or send a letter to their PO Box. Serves Missouri only.

Ohio Justice and Policy Center supports directly impacted communities through advocacy projects, education and community outreach. Main programs include Second Chance, to help with record expungement; Beyond Guilt, for unfairly sentenced individuals whose minimum sentence must be 20 years or greater and at least 5 years are remaining on their sentence; and Human Rights in Prison for individuals who have experienced inhumane conditions inside - In order for OJPC to investigate your case, you must exhaust all internal grievance processes within the ODRC institution. Incarcerated indivduals must apply themselves for consideration for the Beyond Guilt or Human Rights projects. If you do not have access to a printer, please email humanrights@ohiojpc.org with your name, ODRC #, and institution. OJPC will mail one application to the incarcerated individual. Serves Ohio only.

The Prisoner’s Rights Information System of Maryland (PRISM) assists current inmates of Maryland state prisons with their 8th Amendment rights, and offers representation or advice to state prisoners in civil rights matters and certain state habeas corpus or inmate grievance office cases. They also handle sentence calculation problems, lack of medical care or improper living conditions, violation of constitutional rights of religion, association, etc. PRISM will provide representation and legal assistance only in cases dealing with the status of conviction and actions under 42 U.S.C., Section 1983, to challenge conditions of confinement. This includes legal services for representation in select cases at Inmate Grievance Office hearings and appeals when the grievance involves a civil rights or constitutional issue, assistance with problems concerning prison conditions or administration (e.g., disciplinary actions, medical complaints, mistreatment, etc.), problems related to parole, and problems related to sentences such as sentence computation, diminution of confinement credits, etc. PRISM does not provide representation in criminal, domestic and civil court actions. To connect with PRISM, incarcerated peopele should mail the P.O. Box address. Serves Maryland only.

This section of the Vermont Office of the Defender General handles prisoners' rights cases and pardons. Serves Vermont only.

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. Also coordinates online group mentoring, available to anyone in the country. Write for further details.

Project Rebound is a program to help formerly incarcerated students prepare, apply, enroll and graduate with a degree from Cal State Fullerton. The program offers academic and financial counseling, peer mentoring and tutoring, and career placement. Serves released Californians only.

Project Rebound is a program to help formerly incarcerated students prepare, apply, enroll and graduate with a degree from CSU Bakersfield. The program offers academic and financial counseling, peer mentoring and tutoring, and career placement. Serves released Californians only.

Project Rebound is a program to help formerly incarcerated students prepare, apply, enroll and graduate with a degree from CSU San Marcos. The program offers academic and financial counseling, peer mentoring and tutoring, and career placement. Serves released Californians only.

Project Rebound is a program to help formerly incarcerated students prepare, apply, enroll and graduate with a degree from Fresno State University. The program offers academic and financial counseling, peer mentoring and tutoring, and career placement. Serves released Californians only.

Project Rebound is a program to help formerly incarcerated students prepare, apply, enroll and graduate with a degree from Long Beach State University. The program offers academic and financial counseling, peer mentoring and tutoring, and career placement. Serves released Californians only.

Project Rebound is a program to help formerly incarcerated students prepare, apply, enroll and graduate with a degree from CSU San Bernadino. The program offers academic and financial counseling, peer mentoring and tutoring, and career placement. Serves released Californians only.

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. Serves released Californians only.