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These resources are part of the 2007 Edition of the Pennsylvania Prison Directory Action soon to appear in print. To download a word document of the entire directory click here!

Welcome to the 2007 Edition of the Pennsylvania Prison Directory Action !

A super huge THANKS A MILLION goes to the people who helped us put together the info for this guide. Jerome Coffey, Terry Harper, Michale Anderson, Mark Stephenson, Theresa Battles, Avis Lee, Robert X. Holbrook. The Books to Prisoner Crew in Cincinnati for doing a great resource and also for the censorship pamphlet that copied into here. Sam Waite and Melissa Minnich, fact checkers, info seekers and lay outers. Thanks to all the artists in prison who donated the artwork you see throughout this guide to us.

Please let us know of information that may be outdated, incorrect or any additions or suggestions. Your Participation is Important!

This edition was funded by a benefit zine called Beneath the Bumrush which featured Pittsburgh Poets as well as people incarcerated in Pennsylvania and Virginia. It was also funded by the Brunch Fundraisers, an idea borrowed from people in Philly where every week there is brunch made at a house, it’s three dollars for a healthy meal and $1 for coffee. 3 weeks out of the month the money is donated to Book ‘Em and Book ‘Em chose to ear mark that money for a mass run of this resource guide! So thanks Spat Cannon and the Beneath the Bumrush Crew and the Brunch Volunteers who cooked and cleaned and zined, for raising money for this! Also, madlove to the Thomas Merton Center for providing the space and resources!

The Pennsylvania Prison Directory Action is a project of Book ‘Em and is Free on Request if you are in PA or you have an incarcerated friend or loved one in PA. Otherwise please send $1 Computer versions of this guide are available if you want.If you want to make a donation make checks out to Book ‘Em and send below.

Write: Pennsylvania Prison Directory Action

c/oBook ‘Em PO Box 71357 Pittsburgh, PA 15213

call 412 802-8575 bookem@keromail.com

Hoping to link the arms of those inside and outside of prison fighting for a more just and caring world.

click this box to continue!

Table of contents

!ATTENTION PEOPLE IN PRISON!

MANY OF THE ORGANIZATIONS LISTED HAVE A LOT OF INFORMATION ON WEBSITES. IF YOU HAVE THE RESOURCES PLEASE ASK A FAMILY MEMBER OR SUPPORT PERSON TO PLEASE DOWNLOAD AND PRINT STUFF OFF THE INTERNET AND SEND TO YOU AS TO HELP ORGANIZATIONS OUT.

ALSO! Please participate in the following TWO informal RESEARCH PROJECTS:

Transitional/ReEntry programs and services in PA.

Have you been through reentry programs in PA? what are their strengths? Weakness’? How can they be changed?

Racism within the Prisons

Stories of how prisons perpetuate racism, stories of how racism affects your daily life in prison. What’s really going on? For example, I have met many white prisoners who have had no choice but to associate with the Aryan brotherhood or devise extremely creative ways to not be associated with them. Stories stories stories send us stories.

Send stories or comments on above topics to

Etta Cetera at 5125 Penn Ave Pgh, PA 15224

Local Death Penalty


Pennsylvanians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty

(used to be PA Abolitionists against the Death Penalty)
Post Office Box 605 Harrisburg, PA 17108
Phone: 717-236-4840 Fax: 717-236-4850

Southeast Pennsylvania Chapter

southeast @pa-abolitionists.org

Pittsburgh Chapter or (412) 241-8154
pittsburgh@pa-abolitionists.org

Erie Chapter
Dave Martin at davemartin@usachoice.net, (814) 354-2386
or Mike Jones at mike@paxchristiusa.org, (814) 453-4955 x228

Central Pennsylvanians to Abolish the Death Penalty

(717) 514-2747 CPADP 315 Peffer Street Harrisburg, PA 17102

info@cpadp.org, www.cpadp.org

The Central Pennsylvania Abolitionist blog
www.cpa-abolitionist.blogspot.com

Lehigh Valley Committee Against State Killing

davidrose52@hotmail.com

National Death Penalty

Citizens United for Alternatives to the Death Penalty
(800) 973-6548 PMB 335 2603 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Hwy
Gainesville, FL 32609 cuadp@cuadp.org

http://www.cuadp.org/contact.html

Religious Organizing Against the Death Penalty Project

c/o Criminal Justice Program American Friends Service Committee

1501 Cherry Street Philadelphia, PA 19102 (215)241-7130 fax(215) 241-7119

information@deathpenaltyreligious.org www.deathpenaltyreligious.org

The Religious Organizing Against the Death Penalty Project seeks to build a powerful coalition of faithbased activists. Nationally, it works with official religious bodies to develop strategies and to promote anti-death penalty activism within each faith tradition. At the grassroots level, the Project links with individuals and faith communities, establishing "covenant" relationships to foster local abolition efforts.

Murder Victims' Families for Reconciliation, Inc. 877-896-4702

MVFR 2100 M St NW., Suite 170-296 Washington, DC  20037

Founded in 1976 by Marie Deans of Charlottesville, Virginia, MVFR is a national organization of family members of both homicide and state killings who oppose the death penalty in all cases.

American Bar Association Death Penalty Moratorium

Implementation Project Phone: (202) 662-1595

740 15th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20005-1022 moratorium@abanet.org Fax: (202) 662-1032

also has lots of resources for lawyers dealing with death penalty

http://www.abanet.org/moratorium/assessmentproject/pennsylvania.html

The Death Penalty Information Center 202.289.2275

1101 Vermont Avenue NW, Suite 701 Washington, DC 20005 http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/ Fax 202.289.7336

(Visitors to the DPIC offices are encouraged to make an appointment.) If incarcerated, try to get outside support to print stuff out off the site before contacting center.The Death Penalty Information Center is a non-profit organization serving the media and the public with analysis and information on issues concerning capital punishment. The Center was founded in 1990 and prepares in-depth reports, issues press releases, conducts briefings for journalists, and serves as a resource to those working on this issue. The Center is widely quoted and consulted by all those concerned with the death penalty.

The Moratorium Campaign 586 Harding Blvd. Baton Rouge, LA 70807

Contact us at info@moratoriumcampaign.org

National Coaltion to Abolish the Death Penalty NCADP 202-331-4090 1717 K St. NW, Suite 510 Washington, D.C. 20036 info@ncadp.org

fax-202-331-4099 http://www.ncadp.org/contact_us.html

National Death Row Assistance Network(NDRAN) 1888-255-6196 Claudia Whitman, 6 Tolman Road, Peaks Island ME 04108

Compassion St. Rose Peace & Justice

140 Boundary St. Perrysburg, OH  43551
Written by death row prisoners.  Free to death row inmates, $25 for others.

Death Row Support Project Box 600 Dept. A Liberty Mills, IN 46946

Death row inmates only.

Political Prisoners and Prisoner of War

The following definitions were adopted at the International Tribunal on the Violation of Human Rights of Political Prisoners in U.S Prisons and Jails, December 1990 

Political Prisoner: a person incarcerated for actions carried out in support of legitimate struggles for self determination or for opposing the illegal policies of the government and/or its political subdivisions.

Prisoner of War: those combatants struggling against colonial and alien domination and racist regimes, captured as prisoners are to be accorded the status of prisoner of war and their treatment should be in accordance with the provisions of the Geneva Conventions Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War of 12 august 1949 (General Assembly Resolution 3103)

Jericho is a movement with the defined goal of gaining recognition of the fact that political prisoners and prisoners of war exist inside of the United States despite the United States’ government’s continued denial ... and winning amnesty and freedom for these political prisoners.

National Jericho Movement – (718) 949-3937.

P.O. Box 340084 Jamaica, NY 11434 nationaljericho@gmail.com info@thejerichomovement. www.thejerichomovement.com

New York City Jericho Movement • P.O. Box 774 • Bronx, NY 10458 http://www.jerichony.org/ nycjericho@riseup.net

Philadelphia Jericho Movement: 215-748-6428
c/o FCU PO Box 9476 Philadelphia, PA 19139
PhillyJericho@riseup.net

The Anarchist Black Cross Network and the Anarchist Black Cross Federation are two support political support networks. One member describes the difference between the two: ABCF deals with Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War and ABCN deals with wider prison issues along with PP/POW The ABCN is a loose network, each chapter doing their own thing and ABCF is united around the support for PP/POW.

Anarchist Black Cross Federation P.O. Box 42129 Phila, PA 19101 timABCF@aol.com www.abcf.net

Anarchist Black Cross Network - philly_abc@riseup.net

International Concerned Family and Friends of

Mumia Abu Jamal 215 476 8812 icffmaj@aol. com

MOVE Organization 610 499 0979 onamovellja@ aol.com. 

Both Mumia and MOVE organizations use P.O. Box 19709, Phila, PA 19143

Pittsburg Organizing Group – pog@mutualaid.com (As of 2007 January writes letters too and on behalf of PP’s and POW’s one night a month)

Out of Control Lesbian Committee to Support Women Political Prisoners3543 - 18th Street, Box 30 San Francisco, CA, 94110
www.prisonactivist.org/ooc/ OOC has been working on behalf of the 25 women political prisoners in the U.S. since 1986. This all volunteer group puts on an annual educational and cultural event, Sparks Fly and produces a newsletter called Out of Time, which is free to prisoners.

Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War

Held in Pennsylvania

The Move 9:

Debbie Sims Africa #006307, Janet Holloway Africa #006308,

Janine Phillips Africa #006309 are held at:

SCI-Cambridge Springs, 451 Fullerton avenue, Cambridge Springs, PA16403-1238

Michael Davis Africa #AM 4973, Charles Sims Africa #AM 4975

Are held at: SCI-Graterford, P.O. Box 244, Graterford, pa 19426-0244

Edward Goodman Africa #AM 4974

SCI-Mahanoy, 301 Morea rd., Frackville, PA 17932

William Phillips Africa #AM 4984, Delbert Orr Africa #AM 4985

are at: SCI-Dallas, 1000 follies rd, Dallas, pa 18612-0286

Mumia Abu Jamal #AM 8335 SCI-Greene, 175 progress drive, Waynesburg, pa 15370

Leonard Peltier #89637-132 USP Lewisburg P.O. Box 1000 Lewisburg, PA 178371

Joseph “Joe Joe” Bowen #AM-4272 1 Kelley Drive Coal Township, PA 17866-1021

Russel Maroon Shoats #AF-3855 175 Progress Dr. Waynesburg, PA 15370

Sundiata Acoli (C. Squire) USP Allenwood #39794-066 P.O. Box 3000 White Deer, PA 17887

Thomas Manning #10373-016 USP-Hazelton P.O. Box 2000

Bruceton Mills , WV 26525 (recently moved to WV close to PA)

Transportation to prisons

Visitors and virtual visitation

Economical Family Service 215-843-6935
Box 29636  Philadelphia, PA 19114 

Reunification Transportation Service – 215-324-1751

4414 Germantown Avenue, Suite 3B Philadelphia, PA 19140

http://rtsphilly.tripod.com/mission.html $50 for adult round trip bus leaves from progress plaza at broad and oxford streets. Huntingdon /Smithfield

The Bus Ministry 215-765-3853 (From Philly to Graterford only)

Fisher Transportation Services (215) 747-2533 P.O. Box 19115 Philadelphia. PA 19143

A fee-based, door-to-door transportation service, bringing families and friends together for those who are incarcerated. Please give a day or two of advance notice for reservation. At that time, clients will be notified of cost and time the van will arrive the morning of the trip.

Families Outside 412-661-1670 x.603

921 Penn Avenue 4th Floor  Pittsburgh, PA 15222  Provides low-cost transportation for prison visitors, video-visiting, case management, support groups, re-entry assistance, counseling and family therapy.. Also just started offering tele-conference phone calls or virtual phonecalls where you can see your loved one in prison. It’s 15$ for 15 minutes I think.

The Prison Society's Family Transportation Services Program offers affordable bus transportation services from Philadelphia to twenty-three state correctional institutions.

Family Transportation Coordinator (215) 564-4775, ext. 400 (see advocacy section for additional contact info)

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections provides the funding for this program. We travel to each institution once every other month and tickets are currently twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per person round trip. To obtain tickets, you must request a reservation for seat(s) via email or by telephone. Unfortunately, the request for seats normally far outnumbers the number of seats available so those selected to travel on their requested trip will be contacted to come into our offices and pay for their tickets at that time. We try to give priority to those individuals that will be traveling with us for the first time. If you have used the service in the past and you were not able to obtain a ticket for a particular trip, you may request a 'Standby Ticket'. Having a standby ticket DOES NOT guarantee a seat on the bus. Immediately prior to departure the bus driver will fill any empty seats with people on standby. Only, ten standybys are available on each trip.

Family Virtual Visitation program The Prison Society in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections and a grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) provides some inmates at 8 state prisons the opportunity to visit 'virtually' with their families in Philadelphia through our Family Virtual Visitation program.

Ebonee Allen Family Virtual Visitation Coordinator(215) 564-4775, ext. 103

Philadelphia Society for Services to Children 215-875-3400

415 S. 15th Street Philadelphia, PA 19146 E-mail: brich@pssckids.org

www.pssc@libertynet.org

Prisoner Visitation and Support NATIONAL PROGRAM 215 241-7117

1501 Cherry Street Philadelphia, PA 19102 Fax (215) 241-7227

PVS@afsc.org www.prisonervisitation.org

Services: The only national organization with complete access to all federal and military prisons in the U.S. Our volunteers visit once a month to see prisoners who don't receive visits.

Official Vistitors of The Pennsylvania Prison Society -(215) 564-6005 245 N. Broad Street, Suite 300 Philadelphia, PA 19107 Official Visitors are advocates for just and humane treatment of prisoners. Official Visitors, members of the Society, monitor prison conditions and visit prisoners to assist them with issues ranging from serious medical concerns to re-connecting with family members. In fact, by Act of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, Prison Society Official Visitors are guaranteed access to all Pennsylvania correctional facilities. To become an Official Visit or receive an official visit please contact the PPS.

Local Prisoner Advocacy/family support

The Pennsylvania Prison Society, (PPS) (215) 564-6005

245 N. Broad Street, Suite 300 Philadelphia, PA 19107

Programs and Direct services office -(215) 564-4775 toll free (800) 227-2307 fax- (215) 564-7926 geninfo@prisonsociety.org www.prisonsociety.org

To become a member via the mail send us a check in the amount corresponding to your membership level to the address shown below. Please include the following information with your check: Full Name, Address, Telephone Number and Email Address for member questions Call:215-564-6005, ext. 106

$40 Regular Member, $5 Prisoner, $10Family of Prisoner/Student

Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants (PA CURE)

Ph: 717 692-2180 P.O. Box 125, Millersburg, PA 17061-1125

Fax 717 692-5603 dlhdh@pa.net Website: www.curenational.org

Services: Support to inmates and families via letters, calls, faxes and Emails. Testifying and attending legislative hearings regarding prison issues. Education about prison issues, legislation, through visits to prisons and via PA CURE newsletter. Meeting with D.O.C., legislations, regarding policies, inmate and family concerns. High cost of inmate phone calls Elimination of PCN-TV from new Texas cable Being a “Principal” in the Lobbyist Coalition, who has hired Ernest D. Preate, Jr., to be our lobbyist regarding prison issues – accompanying Ernie when he speaks at prisons. Holding an Annual PA CURE Rally in Harrisburg. Cooperating and networking with and supporting other prison advocacy organizations.

Survivors Of Incarcerated Loved Ones (S.I.L.O.) 215-331-7796
P.O. Box 52139  Philadelphia, PA  19115 forsilo@erols.com

http://www.geocities.com/forsilo/forsilo_support  

American Friends Service Committee 215-241-7130

1501 Cherry Street Philadelphia, PA 19102 www.afsc.org

They have a big prison focus..

New Afrikan Liberation Front

c/o FCU P.O Box 9476 Philadelphia, Pa 19139

White Panther Organization- P.O. Box 4362 Allentown, PA 18105

Billy Johnson #322385 P.O. Box 549 Whiteville, TN 38075

(can receive correspondence from other inmates) Write for manifesto along with details for membership. The purpose of the WPO is to provide a Panther based means through which white brothers and sisters can uphold the tradition of revolutionary abolitionist John Brown in standing against whit supremacy and racism, stand in the struggle of national liberation for Black’s, Latino’s and other oppressed minorities.

Human Rights Coalition 215-496-9661

1213 Race St. Phila PA 19107 info@hrcoalition.com www.hrcoalition.com

The HRC is a group of prisoners’ families and loved ones, ex-prisoners, prisoners and sympathetic individuals. We work on supporting prisoners’ struggles, as well as improving the conditions they serve time under, raise awareness about their situation and give voice to prisoner’s families, who are a whole section of victims never talked about by the criminal justice system. JOIN US!

Crime Watch 412.321.0242 P.O. Box 275 Latrobe, PA 15650

Services: Provides a newsletter, pen-pal program and prison visits. Advocates against abusive conditions within padoc.

Also contact regarding abuse, Ron Wanless 412-321-3203

3727 Perrysville Ave. Pgh, PA 15214

CentrePeace, Inc. (814) 353-9081 3013 Benner Pike Bellefonte, PA 16823

(Fax) (814) 353-9083 Email: dircentrepeace@centrepeace.org

Website: www.centrepeace.org Services: Promotes a restorative justice system by modeling programs within our communities and correctional facilities that are based on healing brokenness rather than on vengeance— centering on peace rather than on fear— and offering avenues of accountability rather than alienation. Conflict Resolution Training is available for corrections personnel, inmates and victims’ groups. This course presents non-violent problem solving, mediation and reconciliation (statewide). Christmas Cards for Inmates enables children artists to put their artwork on Christmas Cards for Pennsylvania inmates. The cards are screened by CentrePeace and sent to

approximately 19,000 inmates each year (statewide). Criminal Justice Advocacy and Support Directory is compiled by CentrePeace every three years; it is published

and distributed free of charge by the Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project. This directory provides listings of services for Pennsylvania inmates, victims and their families. Mentor Program provides pre-and-post release mentoring for Centre County Prison inmates (statewide). Prayer-Mate Program matches inmates with community prayer partners (statewide). Prison Visitation and Training in Rockview. This volunteer group visits the "Special Treatment Needs" cellblock each week.

Project Restore provides Centre County Prison inmates with socialization and job-skills training in a community setting. A weekly sale at the Used Household and Furniture Outlet provides recycling of items donated by the community and

restored by inmate trainees. Rockview Family Transportation Assistance Program is

available to families of Rockview inmates with limited resources. Speakers Bureau, Advisory and Referral. CentrePeace responds to all requests for training and speakers, leadership and advisors for churches, volunteer groups, inmates and victims groups (statewide). Recent emphasis is on presentations on Restorative Justice. Valentine Cards for Children enables inmates to put their artwork on Valentine Cards as a thank you to the children for their Christmas cards. The cards are screened by CentrePeace and sent to hundreds of children's groups

Mary Mother of Captives (215) 698-7656

P.O. Box 52416 Philadelphia, PA 19115 mmocsprtgp@aol.com www.marymotherofcaptivessupportgroup.org

Services: A Support Group for family and friends who have a loved one in prison, on trial or about to be sentenced to prison. MMOC meets in various locations in Philadelphia and Delaware County, ministering to the frustrated, forgotten

and innocent victims (the inmate's family). MMOC is open to all regardless of race, creed, color or national origin and is free of any dues. ALL INFORMATION IS STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL. Our aim is to eventually have support groups in all sections of Philadelphia and the suburbs. Together we can overcome an antiquated and failed system. Numbers are the only way change can happen. Change is needed in the manner in which the incarcerated and their loved ones are treated by the Department of Corrections.

Gray Panthers Of Graterford (Originally known as Concerned Seniors) 3141 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19104 fax: 215.895.1333

Services: Originally known as The Concerned Seniors is the first and only prison-based chapter of the Gray Panthers, an international, inter-generational advocacy organization. Provides information on health care, employment, housing, and benefits for seniors who are returning to the community. For institutionalized seniors, the group provides fellowship, advocacy for seniors' interests and issues, information and contact with community services and benefits that incarcerated seniors can access. The group is limited to those 50 years and older; however, they sponsor an Intergenerational Dialogue whereby seniors can mentor younger

offenders in a positive manner.

Red Heart Warrior Society Tom BigWarrior (610)437-2971

P.O. Box 4362 Allentown, PA 18105 tomw@iwon.com (works with native American prisoners also see under newsletter)

Sagewriters 610-328-6101 Box215 Swarthmore, PA 19081 info@sagewriters.org www.SAGEWRITERS.com

SageWriters is a community of free and imprisoned writers, artists, musicians, filmmakers, playwrights and activists working together to give an artistic voice to movements for justice, healing, reawakening compassion in our elected officials, creating a community love ethic, supporting effective re-entry programs, ending prisons as we know them and developing community-based Houses of Healing.

Jerome Coffey Support Committee (JFSC) 215-684-0443

c/o Daisy Coffey 2421 N. Marshall St. Philadelphia, PA 19133

National Prison Advocacy Groups

The Sentencing Project Phone: 202-628-0871

514 Tenth Street, NW Suite 1000 Washington DC 20004

Fax: 202-628-1091 www.sentencingproject.org

The Sentencing Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which promotes reduced reliance on incarceration and increased use of more effective and humane alternatives to deal with crime. It is a nationally recognized source of criminal justice policy analysis, data, and program information. Its reports, publications, and staff are relied upon by the public, policymakers and the media.

Critical Resistance National phone: 510.444.0484
1904 Franklin St., Suite 504 Oakland, CA 94612
fax: 510.444.2177 crnational@criticalresistance.org
www.criticalresistance.org Critical Resistance works to build an international movement to end the Prison Industrial Complex by challenging the belief that caging and controlling people makes us safe. If you are not already familiar with this group, you should check ‘em out. They are doing awesome work.

Critical Resistance NYC Phone: 212.462.4382

451 West Street New York NY 10014 Fax: 212.462.4570
crnyc@criticalresistance.org http://www.criticalresistance.org/crnyc

Critical Resistance – Southern Regional Office (reopened)

504-304-3784 P.O. Box 71553 New Orleans, LA 70172

crsouth@criticalresistace.org

Human Rights Watch 202-612-4321

1630 Connecticut Avenue N.W. Suite 500 Washington, D.C. 20009 usa hrwdc@hrw.org main office - 350 Fifth Avenue, 34th floor, NY,NY 10118-3299 www.hrw.org Stands with victims and activist to prevent discrimination, to uphold political freedom, to protect people from inhumane conduct in wartime, and to bring offenders to justice. Investigates and exposes human rights violations and hold abusers accountable, challenges governments and those who hold power to end abusive practices and respect to International Human Rights Law. They work on a variety of prison issues.

Chicano Mexicano Prison Project/Union del Barrio – 619-696-9224

P.O. Box 620095 San Diego, CA 92162 www.uniondelbarrio.org

CMPP is committed to continue the struggle for the human righs of prisoners and the liberation of the Mexicano Indigenous people.

National Alliance of Black Panthers 202-413-0255 or 202-271-0031

339 Elm Street NW Washington DC, 20001 n_a_b_p@yahoo.com

www.nabp.zoomshare.com

Prison Activist Resource Center (PARC) 510-893-4648

P.O. Box 339 Berkely, CA 94701 parc@prisonactivist.org www.prisonactivist.org Free prison resource list. GREAT RESOURCE!

Amnesty International, USA 212-807-8400  phone: (212) 807-8400

5 Penn Plaza, NY 10001  fax: (212) 627-1451
Online Support: email: aimember@aiusa.org

Amnesty Mid-Atlantic Regional Office phone: (202) 544-0200 600 Penn. Ave., SE 5th Floor Washington, DC 20003 fax: (202) 546-7142 aiusama@aiusa.org http://www.amnestyusa.org

Families Against Mandatory Minimums(FAMM) 202-822-6700
1612 K Street NW Suite 700 Washington, D.C. 20006 famm@famm.org

www.famm.org fax: 202-822-6704

Stop Prisoner Rape 3325 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 340 Los Angeles, CA 90010 (213) 384-1400 Fax: (213) 384-1411 Email: info@spr.org http://www.spr.org/ Seeks to end sexual violence committed against men, women, and youth in all forms of detention.

NAACP National Prison Project – 4805 Mt. Hope Drive Baltimore, MD 21215 http://naacp.org/programs/prison/

Prisoners Action Coaltion – P.O. Box 151 Fenimore, WI 53809 paction@tds.net www.prisonerationcoaltion.blogspot.com –good contact for prison issues in Wisconsin had experience dealing with supermax issues. See newsletter section – The New Abolitionist

Arab American Anti Discrimination Committee 202-244-2990

1732 Wisconsin Ave, NW Washington, D.C. 20007

www.adc.org fax: 202-244-7968 Provides advice, referrals, full time staff attorneys to help defend interest of the community also serves as a vital clearing house of accurate information on Arab culture and history for education and school systems

The November Coalition, 282 West Astor, Colville, WA 99114 moreinfo@november.org http://www.november.org/join.html focus on the drug war, great resource on the web, also have a newsletter

Innocence Projects – working for those wrongly convicted

Innocence Institute of Western Pennsylvania

(412) 765-3164 (412) 392-3917 392 xt.3416 4730

201 Wood Street Pittsburgh, PA 15222 bmoushey@pointpark.edu

innocence@pointpark.edu http://www.pointpark.edu/default.aspx?id=902

Services: We are a non-profit entity that probes into and writes about allegations of wrongful convictions based on actual innocence claims.

Innocence Denied P.O. Box 18477 Pittsburgh, PA 15236

IDnewsletter@innocencedenied.com www.innocencedenied.com

Bi-monthly newsletter on issues of Innocence.

Innocence Project (National)

100 Fifth Avenue 3rd Floor New York, NY 10011 www.innocenceproject.org

Only handles cases where post-conviction DNA testing of evidence can yield conclusive evidence of innocence

Innocence Project - at the Benjamin Cardozo School of Law in New York. Handles only cases of actual innocence provable by DNA testing. For guidelines and a consideration form write: Innocence Project Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law 55 5th Avenue, 11th Floor New York, NY 10003

Foundation For Innocence   1050 Bishop Street, Ste 508

Honolulu, HI  96813 foundationforinnocence@yahoo.com http://www.foundationforinnocence.com

(Cases Accepted Nationwide - DNA evidence of innocence not required)

False Accusations of Sexual Abuse Website:

http://falseallegations.com Contact:

Law Office of Barbara C. Johnson 925-256-4600

6 Appletree Lane Andover, MA  01810-4102

Innocence Project For Justice  ( (New Jersey Cases)
Rutgers University School Of Law Constitutional Litigation Clinic
123 Washington St. Newark, NJ  07102

Innocent! 533 32nd SE Grand Rapids, MI  49548

http://www.aboutinnocent.org   (An operation of support for the wrongly convicted) INNOCENT!, a Christian-based non-profit organization, refers prison inmates and their families to a national network of Innocence organizations following receipt and review of claims of wrongful conviction. Utilizing expertise in the media and in community organization, INNOCENT increases public awareness of legitimate claims of innocence and problems associated with wrongful convictions. (Founded by an innocent who was released in 2004 after fighting 10 years.)

Life After Exoneration Program PO Box 10208 Berkeley, CA  94709

info@exonerated.org http://www.exonerated.org/ Dedicated to helping survivors of wrongful conviction re-enter society and rebuild their life.

Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project  (District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Cases) American University - Washington College Of Law 4801 Massachusetts Ave., NW Washington, D.C.  20016 202-274-4199
Fax: 202-730-4733 Or email: innocenceproject@wcl.american.edu
http://www.wcl.american.edu/innocenceproject/index.html

Justice Denied- magazine for the wrongly convicted - PO Box 68911 Seattle, WA 98168 6 Issues for a Prisoner $10 (U.S. address) 6 Issues for a Non-Prisoner $20 (U.S. address) $3 sample issue. JD is published bi-monthly by The Justice Institute. Justice Denied is the only magazine in the world exclusively devoted to publicizing cases of wrongful conviction and how they occur.

Centurion Ministries, Inc.- 221 Witherspoon Street Princeton, New Jersey 08542-3215 - is a private non-profit organization that will ONLY consider cases of wrongful conviction in the U.S. and Canada that involve a sentence of life in prison or death. CM does NOT consider self-defense or accidental death cases. Do not call or email, ONLY submit a written summary of the facts of a case and the facts supporting your innocence. All letters are responded to. Submit a case for consideration to

For submission procedures and guidelines: http://www.centurionministries.org/criteria.html

The Center on Wrongful Convictions
Center on Wrongful Convictions Northwestern University School of Law
357 East Chicago Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60611 CWC will consider cases containing the following characteristics: Claim of Actual Innocence(The Center on Wrongful Convictions at present is restricted to handling only cases of persons who assert that they were in no way involved in the crimes for which they were convicted. A DNA case (a claim of innocence which is supported by testable biological evidence.), A Minimum of 10 Years Remaining on a Prison Sentence (for a non-DNA case) If your case contains these characteristics and you would like to have it reviewed by the Center on Wrongful Convictions for possible representation, please send us a letter with details of the case Penn State Criminal Justice Project Penn State University, Dickinson School of Law 150 S. College Street Carlisle, PA 17013

Innocence Projects in the U.S. and other countries - are listed with contact information contact@forejustice.org

More Innocence Resources on Internet http://forejustice.org/wc/wrongful_conviction_websites.htm

Education On the Inside

Prison Literacy Project (215) 627-7195

4700 Wissahickon Ave., Suite 126 Philadelphia, PA 19144

Services: Provides literacy tutoring for prison residents in the 0-4th grade reading level. Volunteer tutors are prison inmates, college students, community members, etc. Over 150 tutors have been trained, and 350 student tutors. Handbook, newsletter, readers, and videos are available.

PA Association for Learning Alternatives- P.O. Box 201 Quakertown, PA 18951

Int’l Correspondance School (ICS) Newport/Pacific Highschool

925 Oak Street Scranton, PA 18515 Provides prisoners with G.E.D. test info on request.

PEN Writing Program for Prisoners 212-334-1660

568 Broadway NY, NY 10012 prisonwriting@pen.org

Offers FREE a great resource booklet for prison writers, and a separate list of fifty nine correspondence courses leading to either high school, college, or paralegal

diploma, certificate or degree programs. Also sponsors an annual writing contest for prisoners.

Thresholds In Delaware County Phone: 610-459-9384

P. O. Box 114 Thornton, PA 19373 Decision@ThresholdsDelco.org http://www.thresholdsdelco.org Volunteers from the community are trained to teach decision making skills in a one on one situation with volunteer prison inmates at Chester County Prison outside of West Chester PA.

Blackstone School of Law P.O. Box 899 Emmaus, PA 18049-0899 tel-610967-3323 Services: Offers a well known correspondence program. They can also be reached for free at 1 800 826 9228

Books!

The Books through Bars 215-727-8170

4722 Baltimore Ave.Philadelphia, PA 19143 www.booksthroughbars.org
Sends progressive political and educational materials at no charge to state and federal prisoners in all states except MI. and OR. Donates books directly to county jail libraries but does not accept individual requests from county jail prisoners. Request books by topic. No catalog. Donations including artwork and stamps greatly appreciated.

Book ‘Em 412-361-3022 P.O.Box 71357 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 bookem@keromail.com
Book ‘Em sends books and educational materials to prisoners free of charge. We like to focus on PA but we send everywhere except for Texas and Oregon. Please request by subject rather than specific title or author and we will do what we can to find you something suitable to your interests. Coal Township and Frackville will not accept our materials. If you are in an institution like Graterford, that does not accept donated materials, consider sending us a check for 25 cents or 1 dollar with your requests and we will try to get materials to you that way, as you will have paid for it.

Black Ice Print, PO Box 13074, Philadelphia, PA 19143. blackiceprint@riseup.net Anarchist/Anti-Oppression/etc books and pamphlets, as well as resource guides. Free to any prisoners in PA, NY and NJ, as well as women and transgender prisoners throughout the US. Stamps or donations are appreciated, but not necessary. Write for a catalog.

Books Through Bars—NYC c/o Bluestockings Bookstore
172 Allen Street New York, NY 10002

Resource Guides

Inside Out Resource Guide for the Incarcerated-The Books 4 Prisoners Crew, P.O.B. 19065, Cincinnati, OH, 45219 email - bpcrew@hotmail.com

http://www.freewebs.com/books4prisoners/resourceguide.htm

The Books 4 Prisoners Crew puts out a great national resource guide for the incarcerated. It costs 60 cents, in postage, embossed envelope or money order made out to Books for Prisoners. They will not honor your request if you don’t prepay for the postage and it is well worth the 60 cents.

Prison Activist Resource Center (PARC) 510-893-4648

P.O. Box 339 Berkely, CA 94701 parc@prisonactivist.org

www.prisonactivist.org Free prison resource list.

Freedom Within - www.thecentering.org/freedom_within.html

Resources for those following a contemplative path inside jails and prison printable resource guide on website. (ask someone on the outside if they could print for you. (Budda, Meditation, Dharma…)

Locked Out –c/o Prison Book Project P.O. Box 396 Amherst, MA 01004

Resource list for queer – lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans - prisoners in U.S.

The New Abolitionist – P.O. Box 151 Fenimore, WI 53809 paction@tds.net
Newsletter of Prisoners Action Coalition –good contact for prison issues in Wisconsin has experience dealing with supermax issues.

Criminal Justice Advocacy and Support Directory (814) 353-9081 CentrePeace, Inc. 3013 Benner Pike Bellefonte, PA 16823

(814) 353-9083 (Fax)
Email: dircentrepeace@centrepeace.org

Website: www.centrepeace.org

Criminal Justice Advocacy and Support Directory is compiled by CentrePeace every three years; it is published and distributed free of charge by the Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project. This directory provides listings of services for Pennsylvania inmates, victims and their families. It’s free but it cost 4 dollars to mail. It’s huge! They have it available on their website

www.naljor.com internet resource

Local

Newsletters, Newspapers, Distro’s (oh my!)

GraterFriends – 215-565-6005 x-112 fax: 215-564-7926

245 N. Broad Street, Suite 300 Philly, PA 19107 fax: 215-564-7926 graterfriends@prisonsociety.org. A publication of the Pennsylvania Prison Society $3 for prisoners or stamp equivalent per year $15 non prisoners per year/ make check payable to Pennsylvania Prison Society

Grapevine –P.O. Box 256 Wellsboro, PA 16901 $3 prisoners $8 non prisoners $12 groups (postage stamp equivalent accepted) A publication that focus on lifers, families, volunteers and people who care http://www.prisoners.com/dallashome.html

Red Heart Warrior Society Newsletter of the Red Heart Warrior Society P.O. Box 4362 Allentown, PA 18105

Leviathon – Newsletter of the Black Brigade P.O. Box 4362 Allentown, PA 18105

Innocence Denied P.O. Box 18477 Pittsburgh, PA 15236 $5 for prisoners or stamps per year $15 for outsiders www.innocencedenied.com HumanRightsCoalition Newsletter 215-496-9661

1213 Race St., Philadelphia PA 19107 info@hrcoalition.com www.hrcoalition.com writings by prisoners, ex-prisoners, and families and friends of prisoners. Free on request.

The New People – 412-361-3022 5125 Penn Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15224 Monthly Newspaper of the Thomas Merton Center, Pittsburgh’s activist resource center. Often prints articles about and by prisoners. info@thomasmertoncenter.org

Deadlines 15th of every month

National

Newsletters, Newspapers, Distro’s (oh my!)

Boston ABC PO Box 230182 Boston, MA 02123-0182
A group of prison abolitionists dedicated to supporting those on the inside. Corresponds with prisoners, provides literature free of charge
(self-published zines/articles only. No books!) Not a lawyer group aid and
cannot offer legal advice though may be able to help research a topic.
Covers all regions and types of prisoners. No fees required though donations
of stamps/money always help.

Off the Hook –P.O.Box 872 Kirksville, MO 63501 – free to prisoners

The Newsletter of the Missouri Prisoner Labor Union

Allied Resistance!c/o Kansas Mutual Aid785-865-1374
P.O. Box 442438 Lawrence, KS 66044 alliedresistance@mutualaid.org
Allied Resistance publishes a monthly newsletter of writings by, for, and about prisoners involved in the struggle for social liberation. Prisoners can receive monthly issues for free,Non-prisoners can receive copies for sliding scale $1-$5 per issue. Send a check or money order to the above address.

Socialist Worker PO Box 16085, Chicago IL 60616.

Prisoners can request a free subscription to this newsletter

The Fortune News 212.691.7554 tel. 212.255.4948 fax

53 West 23rd Street, 8th Floor New York, NY 10010

http://www.fortunesociety.org/ General Information
Fortune News is sent free of charge to inmates and contributing members.

Fortune News is the publication of The Fortune Society, a not-for-profit

community-based organization dedicated to educating the public about

prisons, criminal justice issues, and the root causes of crime, and to helping former prison-ers and at-risk youth break the cycle of crime and incarceration through a broad range of services.

Alice S. Grant Publications INC. 414-543-5616

P.O. Box 28812, Greenfield, WI 53228 “Alice offers reduced rates on many magazine and newspaper subscriptions. Prisoner friendly.” Send SASE to find out more. Recommended by Innocence Denied Newsletter.

Coalition For Prisoner's Rights Newsletter
Box 1911  Sante Fe, NM 87504-1911 

National Criminal Justice Reference Service (800) 851-3420

P.O. Box 6000 Rockville, MD 20849-6000 askncjrs@ncjrs.org www.ncjrs.org (301) 519-5212 (Fax) Services: Publication and information clearinghouse.

Sojourner: The Women’s Forum 42 Seaverns Ave. Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 offers women in prison fee subscriptions to feminist paper, penpal ads and resource guide for women in prison

ACLU National Prison Project 733 15th Street, NW Suite 620 Washington, DC 20005 offers prisoners assistance directory it’s 30 bucks tho. They have a journal that’s a $2 subscription for prisoners. $30 for outsiders.

Tarantula 818 SW 3rd Ave PMB 1237 Portland, OR 97204 tarantula@socialwar.net www.socialwar.net/tarantula

Great radical distro. Not sure what they offer for prisoners anymore. It looks like they have expanded. Still looks awesome. I would inquire. Used to offer stuff free to prisoners, write for catalogue.

The Angolite Louisiana State Penitentiary, Angola, LA 70712

A paper produced by prisoners of Angola prison in Louisiana. It is considered excellent prison journalism. Subs are $20 a year http://www.corrections.state.la.us/LSP/angolite.htm

Justice Watch 513-241-0490

1120 Garden St. Cincinnati OH 45214-2123 fax: 513-241-6850

www.justicewatchinc.org Works to eliminate classism and racism from prisons. Newsletter free to prisoners

South Chicago ABC Zine Distro – P.O. Box 721 Homewood, Il 60430 Distributes lots of writings by political prisoners

ART

Contexts Art Project 215-727-8170 #5. 4722 Baltimore Ave.  Phila. PA USA 19143 contexts@booksthroughbars.org

The Contexts Collective hoped to represent to the public through the artwork of prisoners some of the realities of prison life; instill in the artist the sense of accomplishment and pride evoked by an exhibit of their own art; and raise money for Books Through Bars.

California Prison Focus 415-252-9211

1904 Franklin Street, Suite 507
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 836-7222

contact@prisons.org Fax:  415-252-9311 www.prisons.org/ working to stop human rights violations, improve medical care and end long-term isolation in California's prisons. People from all over like the newsletter, it has a lot of art. Prison Focus newsletter is available to all prisoners in isolation units (Ad Seg, SHU, etc) for free.

Inquire above.

Prison Poster Project 412-802-8575 P.O. Box 71357 Pgh, PA 15213

prisonposter@riseup.net Looking for incarcerated Illustrators – apply until end of August 2007The Prison Poster Project (PPP) working group, in collaboration with incarcerated illustrators across the country, is designing a reproducible, portable, mural-like graphic to be used as a teaching tool

to raise awareness about the personal and political manifestations of the prison-industrial complex.

www.massartillery.com – Art by Kevin Rashid Johnson all proceeds go to the movement

Art Behind Bars (305) 304-4772 P.O. Box 2034 Key West, FL 33045

Fax: (305) 294-7345http://www.artbehindbars.org/ An art-based community service program for inmates in the Monroe County Detention Center in Key West, FL in which inmates contribute to society through the donation of artwork to non-profit organizations, locally and nationwide.

Prison Performing Arts (314) 727-5355 630 Trinity Ave. St. Louis, MO 63130

http://prisonartsstl.org/ A nonprofit multi-discipline, literacy and performing arts program that serves incarcerated adults and children at St. Louis City Juvenile Detention Center, City Workhouse, City Justice Center, County Jail, Hogan Street Regional Youth Center, Northeastern Correctional Center (NECC) in Bowling Green, MO and Women's Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center (WERDCC) in Vandalia, MO.

PEN American Center (212) 334-1660 588 Broadway, Suite 303 New York, NY 10012 fax: (212) 334-2181 pen@pen.org www.pen.org PEN American Center is the largest of the 141 centers of International PEN, a human rights organization and literary organization. International PEN was founded in 1921 to dispel national, ethnic, and racial hatreds and to promote understanding among all countries. PEN American Center, founded a year later, works to advance literature, to defend free expression, and to foster international literary fellowship. In addition to defending writers in prison or in danger of imprisonment for their work, PEN American Center sponsors public literary programs and forums on current issues, sends prominent authors to inner-city schools to encourage reading and writing, administers literary prizes, promotes international literature that might otherwise go unread in the United States, and offers grants and loans to writers facing financial or medical emergencies.

Thousand Kites 91 Madison Avenue  Whitesburg, KY  41858  
Phone:  606-633-0108 Email:  amelia@thousandkites.org
Website:  www.thousandkites.org Cooperative storytelling project. Send your story to them and they will incorporate it into a performance. Ongoing Project!

Arts in Criminal Justice (215) 685-0759 info@www.artsincriminaljustice.org

www.artsincriminaljustice.org

Community Arts Network

http://www.communityarts.net/links/archivefiles/corrections_all/index.ph...

List of internet resources related to community art programs affiliated with correctional facilities.

Women and Prison: A Site for Resistance (773) 973-2280

7013 N. Glenwood Ave. Chicago, IL 60626 fax: (773) 973-3367

info@womenandprison.org www.womenandprison.org

“Women and Prison: A Site for Resistance makes visible women's experiences in the criminal justice system. Documenting these stories is integral to this project of resistance. The stories are supported by a collection of resources, such as organizations, reports, essays, and links to a wide range of information on women and prison. The contents of this website are fluid and constantly changing. We expect to add stories, articles and resources on a regular basis. Your feedback and contributions are welcome. This site serves as a dedicated space for prisoners, those previously incarcerated, activists, students, academics, and everyone who strives for social justice. Through the use of this website, we hope to promote strategies and actions that challenge the system and the ways that it reproduces all forms of discrimination, violence, and social injustice in the treatment of women and their families.”

Restorative Justice Programs

(Restorative Justice is a way of solving conflicts so that both sides of the conflict participate in making things right. In some cases one can bypass the courts all together by utilizing mediation projects or restorative justice centers. Restorative Justice is a good answer to the question, “Well if you don’t believe in prisons, then what?” I’m just learning about it, but is seems a well thought out step into creating healthy communities.)

USA / INTERNATIONAL CENTER

P.O. Box 229 Bethlehem, PA 18016 (610) 807-9221
fax (610) 807-0423 usa@realjustice.org http://www.realjustice.org The International Institute for Restorative Practices provides education, consulting and research in support of the development of restorative practices around the world.

Bruderhof Communities

New Meadow Run, P.O. Box 240 Farmington, PA 15437-0240

(724) 329-8573 (724) 329-8674 (Fax)

Center for Alternatives in Community Justice

411 South Burrowes Street State College, PA 16801

(814) 234-1059 (814) 234-0915 (Fax) cacj@chilitech.com

Services: A pre-trial supervision program is offered to defendants prior to sentencing as an alternative to high monetary bail (presence at trial dates is ensured); human resource referrals are available to defendants and their families; mediation service is provided for any two people or groups of people with a dispute, where both parties are willing to work together to reach an agreement and education and referral is available to community members who are in need of information on the criminal justice system.

Community Service Treatment Program

501 Howard Avenue, Building C, Suite 200 Altoona, PA 16601

(814) 946-7866 (814) 946-7954 (Fax)

Services: Individuals are sentenced by the criminal justice system to perform community service hours. We monitor the progress of the community service offender, issue reminders or warnings to the offenders, arrange placement

changes and assist placement agencies in working with offenders. Considering information supplied by the placement agencies, program staffs make periodic reports to judges, probation officers and other members of the justice system.

Pittsburgh Mediation Center

100 Sheridan Square, second floor Pittsburgh, PA 15206 3019

412-365-0400x208 fax 412 365-0600 inquiry@pittsburgh-mediation.org

has victim offender program, restorative justice in schools program

York County Juvenile Probation Department

45 North George Street, 3rd floor York, PA 17401

phone: 717-771-9567 fax: 717-852-4925

http://www.york-county.org/departments/courts/jprob01.htm

Services: Supervises juvenile offenders, including aftercare services. Also operates an EARN-IT restitution program utilizing volunteer staff and a community service program. School Board Probation, JUMP (Juvenile Probation United with Mental Health Programming), Juvenile Drug Court, Victim services, BALANCED and Restoration Justice Coordination.

Montgomery County Mediation Center

26 West Main Street Norristown, PA 19401

(610) 277-8909 (610) 277-5126 (Fax) mcmcpeace@verizon.net

Website: www.mediation-services.org

Services: The Montgomery County Mediation Center is a

non-profit agency that provides mediation, training,

facilitation and conflict resolution education.

Stepping Stone Transitional Living Program

334 South Burrowes Street State College, PA 16801.

(814) 234-2632 (814) 234-2470 (Fax) Email: sstlp@ccysb.com

http://www.ccysb.com/steppingstone.htm

Services: Community; restorative justice (involved in our treatment plans when applicable); housing. An adolescent program serving individuals 16-21 years of age.

Center for Peacemaking and Conflict Studies

Fresno Pacific University 1717 South Chestnut Avenue • Fresno, California 93702-4709 rjp@fresno.edu 800 909 8677 http://peace.fresno.edu/

Lot’s of resources on Web!

Alternatives to Violence Project AVP/USA 1050 Selby Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55104 877-926-8287 (Toll-Free) avp@avpusa.org

www.avpusa.org Workshops in conflict resolution and alternative ways to respond to and recognise our own violence, for prisons, community groups, and schools.

The Prison Society created the resources below to assist others as they apply and practice restorative justice in prison in an effort to share what we have learned. While these resources were originally written for incarcerated individuals to promote their leadership in restorative justice efforts, the materials are also useful for community restorative justice practitioners, prison staff and others who work in prison. We encourage you to print and share these documents with incarcerated men and women, as many will not have internet access.

www.prisonsociety.org

Inmate Family Services Manager215-564-4775, ext. 120

Critical Issues in Restorative JusticeEdited by Howard Zehr and Barb Toews

Restorative Justice: Rebuilding Your Web of Relationships, A Collection of Reflections for People in Prison This collection of restorative justice reflections is useful for individuals wishing to do personal reflection on their own or as a resource for group assignments in workshops and classes. An appendix includes suggestions for changing the reflections into group activities.

Restorative Justice: Rebuilding the Web of Relationships, Resources for Restorative Justice Education in Prison
This collection of educational resources provides restorative justice educators with basic materials to create and facilitate restorative justice workshops geared for an incarcerated audience. The collection includes information about agenda planning and activities, facilitation and resources to use as texts.

Day of Responsibility Organizing Manual A Day of Responsibility, a prisoner organized event, is a day-long seminar in which community members and incarcerated individuals together explore the impact of crime and discuss the possibilities for personal accountability and community responsibility. This manual provides basic information that incarcerated organizers, prison staff and community organizations need to organize a Day.

Creating Prison-Based Restorative Justice Projects: A Prisoners' Guide for Getting StartedThis guide offers tools, reflection questions and suggestions for incarcerated individuals and groups to use in creating their own restorative justice projects. The guide assumes that the reader is already knowledgeable about restorative justice.

The Little Book for Restorative Justice for People in Prison(Good Books, 2006), written by Barb Toews, of the Prison Society, complements each of these resources and can serve as background information for a variety of prison-based restorative projects. The book is available from Good Books or any major online book seller.

Barb Toews
   

Also see Centre Peace under prison advocacy groups.

Favorite books of the Western Prison Project

Are Prisons Obsolete? Angela Davis Seven Stories Press 2003

Instead of Prisons, Prison Research Action Project Safer Society Press 1986

Criminal Injustice: Confronting the Prison Crisis

Elihu Rosenblatt Editor South End Press 1996

Live From Death Row Mumia Abu Jamal Avon Paperbacks 1996

Lockdown America: Police and Prisons in the

Age of Crisis Christian Parenti Verso Books 1999

No More Prisons William Upski Wimsatt Soft Skull Press 1999

The Perpetual Prisoner Machine: How America Profits from Crime Joel Dyer Westview Press 1999

Prison Writing: My Life is My Sundance Leonard Peltier St. Martins Press 1999

The Prisoner’s Wife: A Memoir Asha Bandele Pocket Books 2000

Gates of Injustice: The Crisis in America’s Prisons Alan Elsner Prentice Hall 2004

New Jack: Guarding Sing Sing Ted Conover Vintage Books 2000

Invisible Punishment: The Collateral Consequences of Mass Imprisonment Marc Mauer and Mada Chesney-Lind Editors The New Press 2002

The Crime Drop in America Alfred Blumstein and Joel Wallman Editors Cambridge University Press 2000

The American Gulag marc Dow University of California Press 2004

Prison Nation Tara Heriel and Paul Wright Editors Routledge Press 2003

Pedagogy of the Oppressed Paolo Friere Continuum Press 2000

Race to Incarcerate Marc Mauer/The Sentencing Project The New Press 1999

The Real War on Crime: The Report of the National Criminal Justice System Steven R. Donziger Editor Harper Perennial 1996

Search and Destroy: African American Males in the Criminal Justice System Gerome G. Miller Cambridge University Press 1996

READ THIS!

COLOR OF VIOLENCE: THE INCITE! ANTHOLOGY!

0-89608-762-X | paper | South End Press | 336 pages | $20

INCITE! announces the launch of an anthology of critical writings demanding that we address violence against women of color in all its forms, including interpersonal violence, such as sexual and domestic violence, and state violence, such as police brutality, militarism, attacks on immigrants and Indian treaty rights, the proliferation of prisons, economic neo-colonialism, and violence from the medical industry.You may also mail your order to South End Press. Send a check or money order to:
South End Press 7 Brookline Street #1 Cambridge MA 02139-4146

Call 1-800-533-8478 to place an order by phone. Call anytime.

A machine will take your message after business hours.

All orders require shipping and handling: $3.50 for the first book

Websites

www.prisoners.com is a nonprofit corporation of education, information and charity. Our mission is to benefit the 100,000+ state, local and federal prisoners in Pennsylvania, their families and loved ones. Further, we aim to assist prisoners everywhere.

http://www.actionpa.org/prisons/ has statistics and info on pa prisons. Don’t think it’s been updated in a couple of years but still good resource.

http://www.prisonactivist.org/pps+pows/pplist-alpha.shtml

List of political prisoners

http://www.prisonsucks.com Prisonsucks.com is a clearinghouse for useful, verifiable statistics about the crime control industry. Too often prison activists use statistics that are out of date, provided without citation or simply wrong. One of these days the public will start listening to prison activists, so let's be prepared to win without being sidetracked by arguments over defective statistics.

http://www.prisontalk.com Prison Talk Online is a huge and most comprehensive database of Prison/er Support on the Internet. It has chat rooms and forums and internet newspapers. Boasts over 40,000 members.

http://www.prisonwall.org/ -no longer updated. But resources and articles on lots of stuff.

www.prisonersolidarity.org – Contribute letters, articles, artwork or educational materials to this website P.O. Box 422 The Plains, OH 45780 Prisoner Solidarity is an internet site that serves as a catalyst for communication between prisoners and the outside. Incorporates national/international issues around prisons.

www.certaindays.org - makes beautiful calendar pro-seeds prison justice orgs.

www.prisonjustice.ca www.activesolidarity.org

www.womenprisoners.org www.freedomarchives.org

www.indymedia.org www.supermaxed.com

www.prisonpolicy.org

Resources for Lifers

Fight For Lifers Inc-Philly Chapter215- 223- 8180

P.O. Box 7691 Philadelphia, PA 19101 rec2ffl@aol.com

Public Meetings for the Philly Chapter are held the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm at the America Friends Service Committee 1501 Cherry Street in Philadelphia Office Location: 1808 W. Tioga

Fight For Lifers West – Pittsburgh Chapter 724-206-0907

P.O. Box 4683 Pittsburgh, PA 15206 fightforliferswest@yahoo.com

http://fightforliferswest.mysite.com

Public Meetings the 3rd Saturday of each month from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. There is a Support Group Meeting from 12:30 until 1:30 on the same day. Meetings are held at The Thomas Merton Center 5125 Penn Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15224 (Garfield section of Pittsburgh)

Thomas Merton Center’s # is 412-361-3022

LIFE-LONG CURE - P.O. Box 8331 Falls Church, VA 22041 Organized lifers, practical lifers & loved one (editors note: Don’t know much about this organization if anyone contacts them and gathers any info, please let us know)

Lifers Union Advocacy Group -- PO Box 88537, Steilacoom, WA 98388, deniseashley@lifersunion.com www.lifersunion.com

publishes a 36-page bulletin whose goal is to "provide updates on laws and case-law regarding the death penalty; civil commitment; life or indefinite sentencing schemes; recidivist schemes, and; studies, reviews and other information.

Grapevine -- (570) 376-2489 PO Box 256, Wellsboro, PA 16901

www.prisoners.com/dallashome.html Advocating for a second chance for lifers, Grapevine is a "publication for prisoners, specifically lifers, and their families, volunteers and people who care." For information on subscription rates and other matters

End Violence Project (610)-527-2821 please contact: Mahin Bina, End Violence Project, Inc., P.O. Box 1395, Bryn Mawr PA 19010 ... Committed to ending violence without violence (This group has worked with PA Lifers in the past)

http://www.prisoners.com/scislife.html A website written By The Life Prisoners At Smithfield Prison

Juvenile Lifers for Justice – contact Joan Porter, PPS 245 N. Broad Street Suite 300 Philadelphia, PA 19107 email – Jep@tradenet.net or Erik VanZant #BE-3343 or Victor Scott #AY 6871 at P.O. Box 244 Graterford, PA 19426 – 0244 The Juvenile Lifers for Justice are prisoners who were convicted as juveniles for criminal homicide and are serving life sentences without parole throughout Pennsylvania, and aim to educate the public, so that, We, Together, can motivate PA legislators to examine the plight of the over 330 juvenile lifers in PA.

The Campaign for Youth Justice (C4YJ) 202.558.3580

1012 14th Street, NW, Suite 610 Washington, DC, 20005 www.campaign4youthjustice.org Fax: 202.386.9807

C4YJ is a national campaign dedicated to ending the practice of trying, sentencing and incarcerating children (under 18) in the adult criminal justice system.

May be helpful to Juvenile Lifers

JuvenileLifers.org is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to juveniles in the state of Pennsylvania and across the country who are serving sentences of life without parole. Our purpose is to educate the public and legislators and to reach out to juveniles and their families. Write to us: Juvenile Lifers P.O. Box 8077 Pittsburgh, PA 15216 E-Mail: juvenilelifers@gmail.com  www.juvenilelifers.org

The following website articles we've published relating to lifers and life sentences. If you have your own stories about lifers for publication email them to. lifex@prisoners.com. http://www.prisoners.com/life.html#life

Lifer’s United http://www.lifers.talkspot.com Pennsylvania has over 4,300 lifers and we want to see more of their lives profiled on this site.  Friends and family of lifers need to have these stories told of what got their loved ones in prison, what have they done since their arrest to better themselves and their environment, and how would society benefit upon their release.  For those who don't know, life in Pennsylvania means for the rest of their life.  So push Pennsylvania's lifers to share their stories.  You'd be surprised to hear what they have to say.

Ideally the profiles should not exceed 3 pages. One does not have to go into specific details of their crimes, admit guilt or identify victims.  Also include a small photo.  Once these are scanned they will be returned along with a print out of how it looks.  This is all FREE. You will NEVER be charged.  All info can be sent to me directly at the address below or email to lifers-pa@hotmail.com or Dale Gardner BI 5107 Route 26, Box A Bellefonte PA 16823-0820 USA

Also Health Section for Prison Society’s Program for Elders in Prison. Age 50 and up.

Addresses for Lifers’ Organizations within the Institutions Located in the State of Pennsylvania as well as other inmate organizations

PA Lifers Association Attn: Gary Jones AY 7024 SCI- Huntingdon 1100 Pike Street Huntingdon, PA 16654

PA Lifers Association Staff Liaison Charles Bradley CAS Attn: Tyrone Wets AF 6337 SCI Graterford PO Box 244 Graterford, PA 19426

Lifers, INC-Public Safety Initiative- Life Sentenced prisoners at SCI-Graterford who have taken a public stand against the anti-social behavior plaguing our communities. Contact Woodie Marcus, CAS PO Box 244 Graterford, PA 19426 6104894151 ext. 2297 phone 610-489-4151 ext.2297

PA Lifers Association Staff Liaison Attn: Gary Mobley #AM 4256 SCI Rockview PO Box A Bellefonte, PA 16823

L.I.F.E. Association Thomas Rovinski CAM Attn: Michael Moore #AY 5139 SCI-Dallas 1000 Follies Road Dallas, PA 18612

Muncy Inmate Coordinator Mr. Campbell Staff Liaison ATTN: Tanya Dacri (MIO President) PO Box 180 Muncy, PA 17756

David Popson CDO Staff Coordinator SCI-Retreat 660 State Route #11 Hunlock Creek, PA 18621-3136

The following institutions do no have recognized Lifers Organizations; you can contact the following individuals:

Anthony B. Mays #AS 0681 SCI-Albion Unit 1/A 10745 Route 18 Albion PA 16475

Michael Lyons #AY 7639 SCI-Chester 500 E. 4th Street Chester, PA 19013

Robert X. Holbrook #BL 5140 SCI- Greene 175 Progress Drive Waynesburg, PA 15370

Donald S. Massey #AK 2646 SCI-Fayette P.O. Box 9999 Labelle, PA 15450-0999

Edward Omar Sistrunk #AF 0614 P.O. Box 1000 Houtzdale, PA 16698-1000

Charmaine Pfender #OO 7423 451 Fullerton Ave. Cambridge Springs, PA 16403-1238

George Rahsaan Brooks-Bey #AP 4884 Unit/Side: E/A 10745, Route 18 Albion, PA 16475-0002

The Phoenix Group Pres. Edward Patterson CW 5166 RD 10, Box 10 Route 119 South Greensburg, PA 15601-8999

The Phoenix Group c/o Heather Albaugh, Activities Mgr. 451 Fullerton Ave. Cambridge Springs, PA 16403-1238

Incarcerated Citizens Council  Richard Carter 310 Morea Road  Frackville, PA 17932 

NATIONAL PRO BONO SERVICES

www.probono.net

A forum for public defenders.

(does not provide names of lawyers or legal advice)

Pine Tree Legal Assistance http://www.ptla.org/probono.htm

Provides a list of organizations that “provide referrals to private attorneys who may be able to provide legal services for free or substantially reduced fees. Other organizations provide support for pro bono lawyers or information about pro bono services generally.”

American Bar Association321 N. Clark St.Chicago, IL 60610

(800) 285-2221 www.findlegalhelp.org Allows site-users to search for a list of resources available in their state, including pro bono or inexpensive lawyers, help in dealing with lawyers, legal information, and self-help materials.

University of Virginia School of Law probono@law.virginia.edu

http://www.law.virginia.edu/html/publicserv/probono.htm

All law students are required to volunteer at least 25 hours of pro bono work annually. In order to count, the work must be unpaid, law-related, and supervised by a licensed attorney or a law school faculty member.

Pro Bono Institute 600 New Jersey Ave. NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 662-9699 Fax: (202) 662-9683

probono@probonoinst.org www.probonoinst.org

A small non-profit organization at Georgetown University Law Center that administers projects that “support, guide, and inspire legal institutions to enhance access to justice.” They do not provide direct legal services themselves. They do, however, hold an annual seminar that focuses on pro bono legal work and the issues contained therein.

Justice Deniedwww.justicedenied.org/probono.htm

Compilation of attorneys who take cases on a pro bono basis.

LOCAL PRO BONO SERVICES

www.paprobono.net

A forum for public defenders in PA.

(does not provide names of lawyers or legal advice)

Philly VIP

42 S. 15th St., 4th floor Philadelphia, PA 19102

(215) 523-9550 Fax: (215) 564-0845

www.phillyvip.org

Refers indigent individuals to volunteer lawyers, paralegals, and others who provide legal services free of charge.

Local Legal Projects

Organization for Parole Relief P.O. Box 15 Zionhill, PA 18981

Phone: (215) 536-9098 Fax: (215) 538-9779 Contact: Bob Frantz

Services: Our goal is working for inmates/families concerning issues of parole, medical, abuse and more. We work with Lifers Org. and families concerning parole and a second chance. We write to the Governor, Legislators, DOC, PBPP and others as necessary.

Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project

Philadelphia Office: 24 Cherry Street, Suite 523 Philadelphia, PA 19107

Phone: (215) 925-2966 Fax: (215) 925-5337 Email: arlpilp@earthlink.net

Contact: Angus Love

Lewisburg Office: P.O. Box 128 Lewisburg, PA 17827-0128 Phone: (570) 523-1104 Contact: David Glassman, Esq.

Pittsburgh Office: 1705 Allegheny Building Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Phone: (412) 232-0276 Website: www.pailp.org Mary Walsh

Services: Provides civil legal services to income-eligible clients residing in prisons or jails.

Lewisburg Prison Project P.O. Box 128 Lewisburg, PA 17837-0128

Phone: (717) 523-1104 Email: prisonproject@chilitech.net

Website: www.eg.bucknell.edu/~mligare/LPP.html

Contact: Attny. David Glassman

Services: Civil Rights Law Firm (non-profit); Legal Bulletins and Materials provider; serving the middle district of PA.

Northwestern Legal Services 1001 State St. Suite 1200 Erie, PA 16501

(800) 665-6957 (new clients); (814) 452-6957 (new clients in Erie)

Email: roakley@nwls.org Website: www.nwls.org

Services: This program cannot represent a prisoner in any litigation or court proceedings. Civil legal services in areas of family, health, education, and employment. Government benefits and housing in the counties of Erie, Elk, Cameron, Forest, Venango, Mercer, McKean, Potter, Crawford, and

Warren. Telephone advice is offered in areas of landlord/tenant, debt collection, sheriff sale, school suspensions and some custody advice.

Women’s Law Project 345 4th Ave. Suite 904 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-227-0301 Website: www.womenslawproject.org

Pennsylvania Bar Association 100 South Street P.O. Box 186

Harrisburg, PA 17108 Phone: (717) 238-6715 Fax: (717) 238-1204

Email: info@pabar.org Services: Provides telephone referrals to private attorneys; first half-hour consultation at a reduced rate.

For counties without a local service, use the above address,

American Civil Liberties Union ACLU- Philadelphia Office
P.O. Box 1161 Philadelphia, PA 19105 Phone: (215) 592-1513
Email: info@aclupa.org

Pittsburgh Office 313 Atwood St. Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Phone: (412) 681-7736 Email: info@aclupgh.org

Harrisburg Office P.O. Box 11761 Harrisburg, PA 17108 (717)238.2258

Through advocacy, education and litigation, our attorneys, advocates and volunteers work to preserve and promote civil liberties including the freedom of speech, the right to privacy, reproductive freedom, and equal treatment under the law. We stand in defense of the rights of women and minorities, workers, students, immigrants, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, and others who have seen bias and bigotry threaten the rights afforded to all of us in this country by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. In Pennsylvania, the ACLU has 10,000 members with offices in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh and volunteer chapters reaching all areas of the state.

Pennsylvania Legal Services 118 Locust St. Harrisburg, PA 17101-1414 717-236-9486 717-233-4088 fax www.palegalservices.org

Pennsylvania Post-Conviction Defender Organization 437 Chestnut Street Suite 501 Philadelphia, PA 19106

Pepper Hamilton, LLP 3000 Two Logan Square
Philadelphia, PA 19103 phone: 215-981-4000
fax: 215-981-4750 eMail: phinfo@pepperlaw.com

DEFENDER ASSOCIATION OF PHILADELPHIA, CAP. HABEAS437 Chestnut Street, Suite 501 Philadelphia, PA 19106
Tel: 215 - 928 – 0520 Fax: 215 - 928 – 0826

DEFENDER ASSOCIATION OF PHILADELPHIA, CAP. DEFENDER 121 North Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19106
Tel: 215 - 557 – 4961 Fax: 215 - 557 – 4920

AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania 1211 Chestnut ST. #1200 Philadelphia, PA 19107 phone- 215-587-9377

Blackstone School of Law P.O. Box 899 Emmaus, PA 18049-0899 tel-610967-3323 Services: Offers a well known correspondence program. They can also be reached for free at 1 800 826 9228

International Legal Defense Counsel 1429 Walnut St. 8th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19102 tel- 215-977-9982

Services: Advocacy agency for American citizens incarcerated overseas. Center for Constituitional Rights c/o Unviversity of Pittsburgh Law School 3900 Forbes Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15260 1412-648-1375

Community Legal Services, Inc. 3638 N. Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19140 215-227-2400 Provides wide variety of services to low-income individuals in Philadelphia.

http://lawcrawler.findlaw.com/

Real good legal research website. Free!

http://www.richiemarra.com/In Pennsylvania, there is no possibility for parole for life-sentenced prisoners. The only way for to be released would be to have the governor commute a life sentence. This website has good info about the commutation process.

National Legal Projects

Prison Legal News 2400 N.W. 80th Street #148 Seattle, WA – 98117 http://www.prisonlegalnews.org

Prison Legal News is an independent 40 page monthly publication that reports, reviews, and analyzes court rulings and news related to prisoner rights and prison issues. PLN has a national (U.S.) focus on both state and federal prison issues, with international coverage as well. Send $1 for sample issue.

National Lawyers Guild, National Office 143 Madison Ave 4th Fl.,
New York NY 10016 phone 212 679-5100 fax 212 679-2811
nlgno@nlg.org

National Lawyers Guild-– Philadelphia Nadia Hewka nhewka@clsphila.org The National Lawyers Guild is dedicated to the need for basic and progressive change in the structure of our political and economic system. Through its members--lawyers, law students, jailhouse lawyers and legal workers united in chapters and committees--the Guild works locally, nationally and internationally as an effective political and social force in the service of the people. Our aims: to eliminate racism; to safeguard and strengthen the rights of workers, women, farmers and minority groups, upon whom the welfare of the entire nation depends; to maintain and protect our civil rights and liberties in the face of persistent attacks upon them; to use the law as an instrument for the protection of the people, rather than for their repression. ACLU National Prison Project 733 15th Street, NW

Suite 620 Washington, DC 20005 (202) 393-4930
Fax (202) 393-4931 The National Prison Project seeks to create constitutional conditions of confinement and strengthen prisoners’ rights through class action litigation and public education. Our policy priorities include reducing prison overcrowding, improving prisoner medical care, eliminating violence and maltreatment in prisons and jails, and minimizing the reliance on incarceration as a criminal justice sanction. The Project also publishes a quarterly Journal, coordinates a nationwide network of litigators, conducts training and public education conferences, and provides expert advice and technical assistance to local community groups and lawyers throughout the country. The NPP is a tax exempt foundation funded project of the ACLU Foundation. 

National Legal Aid and Defender Association- 1625 K Street NW Suite 800 Washington Dc 20006-1604 www.nlada.org Has national listings of free legal services.

Prisoner Self-Help Legal Clinic – P.O. Box 798 Newark, NJ 07101

Volunteer organization comprised of attorneys, former prisoner paralegals, law students, civil rights activists and other members of the community who provide legal assistance to prisoners with pr se litigation. Publishes self help legal pamphlets and the Bridge Newsletter

NAACP Legal Defense Fund – 99 Hudson St. Suite 600 NY, NY 10013

Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund – National Headquarters 634 S. Spring Street, 11th Floor Los Angeles, Ca 90014 www.maldef.org

Prisoner’s Rights Research Project

University of Illinois College of Law 504 E Pennsylvania Avenue Champaign IL 61820 Researches legal topics sent to them. Law students give good advice on your issues, support it with case law, and reveal any contrary rulings.

The School of Paralegal StudiesProfessional Career Development Institute 6065 Roswell Road NE, Suite 3118 Atlanta, GA 30328 Offers a correspondence course.

Disabiltiy Rights Education Defense Fund 2212 6th St. Berkeley, CA 94710 Phone: 510-644-2555 Fax: 510-841-8645 dred@dredf.org www.dredf.org Provides legal referrals for prisoners with disability issues.

Law book recommendations

by your friendly incarcerated law librarian!

Protecting Your Health and Safety: Prisoner's Rights Designed to help inmates who are not represented by an attorney, Protecting Your Health & Safety explains the legal rights inmates have regarding health and safety – including the right to medical care and to be free from inhumane treatment

free down load available http://www.splcenter.org/legal/publications/pub.jsp

You may also purchase a bound copy of the complete 328-page manual for $10 (which includes shipping and handling). Purchases may be made by check, money order, or credit card (VISA or Mastercard). Please mail your request along with your payment of $10 to:

Protecting Your Health & Safety / Southern Poverty Law Center
P. O. Box 548 Montgomery, Alabama 36101-0548

Prisoner's Self-Help Litigation Manual - 3rd Edition this book is no longer available from the publisher. It is well sought after and can be found used places but the online book stores seem really pricey! Contains outline of Federal and State legal systems and relevant terminology. Aids a prisoner in handling the grievance process.. maybe if enough people write they will publish it again. For information or to order write: Oceana Publications, 75 Main St., Dobbs Ferry, NY  10522-1601. Or call: 914-693-8100.

(like is said, I’ve tried to get this book and it is unavailable from publisher)

Law Dictionary by Barron’s or the Blacks Law Dictionary

Are also good, if you can get your hands on ‘em.

Jailhouse Lawyer’s Manual - is a handbook of legal rights and procedures designed for use by people in prison. Prisoners are often indigent and therefore lack access to legal counsel while in prison. The JLM informs prisoners of their legal rights, shows them how to secure these rights through the judicial process, and guides them through the complex array of procedures and legal vocabulary which make up this system. The JLM also instructs prisoners in techniques of legal research and explains the need to take note of important legal developments. With the JLM, prisoners can learn to use effectively the resources available in prison law libraries. Since publication of the first edition in 1978, A Jailhouse Lawyer's Manual has been used by tens of thousands of prisoners in institutions across the country. Prisoners have used the book to become informed of their rights and to address specific problems related to their treatment in prison or their convictions.

 For prisoners: The JLM Sixth Edition is $25 per volume, or $45 for both volumes purchased together. We highly recommend that both books be used together. However, because inmates’ finances may be limited, you may purchase them separately.  Standard shipping is included in the price. If you would like your books faster, include $5 per book for first class shipping, or $10 for both volumes.

The Spanish JLM is $15. Standard shipping is included in the price; however, you may include $5 for first class shipping.

See the pricing chart on the JLM order form. Prices and availability may be subject to change.

For non-prisoners, organizations, or institutions: The JLM Sixth Edition is $90 for a two volume set.  Institutions may not purchase volumes separately. The Spanish JLM is $30.  Standard shipping is included in the price; however, you may include $5 per volume for first class shipping.

If you are ordering for a prisoner, follow the instructions for prisoner pricing. See the pricing chart on the JLM order form. Prices and availability may be subject to change.

To Place an Order for the JLM

Complete and send the order form (link to JLM and SJLM Order Form) (formulario para su orden) with a check or money order, payable to Columbia Human Rights Law Review to:  

Columbia Human Rights Law Review Attn: JLM Order 435 W. 116th St. New York , NY   10027

If you send a money order, keep the receipt in case there is a problem with your order.  We do not accept postage stamps as payment and also do not accept credit cards.  Due to the nature of the institutional mail systems, we request that you allow up to eight weeks from the date of your order.  Because our office is student run, your order may not be processed as quickly over school breaks.  Orders to be sent to facilities in Michigan must be sent first class.  Also, please inform us on this form of any restrictions on incoming mail that your facility may have (for example, no padded envelopes or first class mail only). 

http://www.columbia.edu/cu/hrlr/jlm.html#Order

Jail House Lawyers Handbook Women's Appendix (PDF) - The JHL Appendix for women is a free resource geared specifically to women prisoners and their family members who wish to learn about legal options to challenge mistreatment in prison. 

http://www.ccr-ny.org/v2/legal/justice/docs/jailhouselawyershandbook.pdf 

http://www.ccr-ny.org/v2/pub_resources/pub_resources_contents.asp#books_pham

Health local

Prison Health News c/o Philadelphia Fight 1233 Locust Street, 5th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19107 “better health care while you are in and when you get out” Prison Health News is free on request, will answer health questions, and help get better health care within your facility.

Philadelphia Fight 1233 Locust Street, 5th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19107 Provides case management,medical care and support services for people when they get out of prison. Specialize in care for people with HIV

Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania(MHASP) -1211 Chestnut Street, 11th floor Philadelphia, PA 19107 MHASPhas a prison community project which will provide education and support groups while people are incarcerated in the Philadelphia prison system as well as discharge planning and transitional case management when folks are released

Mental Health Association of Allegheny County

1945 Fifth Avenue 3rd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15219-5543

(412) 391-3820 (877) 391-3820 (Toll Free)

(412) 391-3825 (Fax) Email: mha@mhaac.net

Services: Advocacy and education for offenders and exoffenders

with special needs in the mental health, drug, and alcohol abuse areas; for inmates whose home address is in Allegheny County.

Allegheny County Forensic 542 Forbes Avenue

Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219 (412) 350-4425 (412) 350-3861 (Fax)

Services: The Forensic Diversion Program provides direct and indirect services for clients who have mental disorders and are involved in the criminal justice system. The Forensic State Support Program provides support and services for

inmates returning to Allegheny County who have a mental illness.

Critical Path AIDS Project 2062 Lombard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146 Detailed newsletter for treatment issues, sent to inmates free of charge Hotline for inmates that accepts collect calls 215-545-2212

One Day at a Time 425 South Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19147-1126 215-545-8436 Drug and alcohol recovery service organization that publishes an informative newsletter called “alive and kicking”

Health National

Prism Optical INC 10992 NW 7th Ave Miama , FL 33168 18006374104 Prisoner friendly company that provides affordable eyewear to prisoners nationwide Offers first time buyers and referral credits. Write for catalog

National Health Prison Project 32 Greenwood Ave. Quincy, MA 02170 -2620 Covers wide range of topics. Will answer personal questions. Free subscription to prisoners.

National Prison Hospice Association P.O. Box 58 Boulder, CO 80306 Hospice care programs for dying prisoners and their families.

The Wrongful Death Institute Phone: 816.941.0087

Fax: 270.294.8795 deathinstitute@aol.com The Institute conducts research on a multitude of issues within each of its departments. It performs case analysis on wrongful death and forensic science issues, and aggressively pursues issues of prison medical malpractice and negligence nationwide. The common denominator of all divisions is accountability and responsibility of those individuals who perform duties that involve the public trust. The Institute implements the team approach. All of our efforts are directed toward factually and efficiently applying investigative and scientific evidence to law.

The National Hepatitis C Prison Coalition Released Prisoner Hotline 1-866-HEPINFO (1-866-437-4636) Phyllis Beck, Director
PO Box 41803 Eugene, OR 97404 Tel: 541.607.5725
FAX: 541.607.5684 Email: Pkbeckinor@aol.com Offers free newsletters

AIDS Project of LA 1313 N. Vine Street, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Resource guide for inmates living with AIDS called "Be Good to Yourself" that discusses nutrition, exercise and self-massage for people incarcerated, free to inmates

Centerforce 64 Main Street, San Quentin, CA 94964

Community-based organization providing HIV-related education for inmates.

CorrectHelp 1223 Wilshire Boulevard, #905, Santa Monica, CA 90403, 310.399.8324

Legal AID and advocacy for inmates with HIV/AIDS and their families.

National AIDS Hotline en Espanola – 1-800-344-SIDA

Jeff Dicks Medical CoalitionP.O. Box 343 Beechgrove, TN 37018

Advocacy for prisoners who need, and are not receiving,

appropriate medical care.

National AIDS Treatment Advocacy Project (NATAP)

580 Broadway #1010, New York, NY 10012

Will mail Hepatitis C and Hepatitis C Co-InfectionHandbook.

American Correctional Association 206 North Washington Street, Suite 200 Alexandria, VA 22314 1-800-ACA-JOIN www.aca.org

Institute for Criminal Justice Healthcare 1700 Diagonal Road, Suite 110 Alexandria, VA 22314 phone: 703-836-0024 fax: 703-836-0025

www.ichj.org

Infectious Disease in Corrections Report, Brown University Box G-B-4 Providence, Rhode Island 02912 ww.idcronline.org IDCR@corrections.net

146 Clifford St., Providence, RI 02903 phone: 401-453-2068 fax: 401-272-7562

National Commission on Correctional Health Care 1145 W. Diversey Parkway Chicago, Ill 60614 www.ncchc.org info@ncchc.org

phone: 773-880-1460 fax: 773-880-2424

National Prison Hospice Association

PO Box 4623 Boulder, CO 80306

npha@npha.org www.npha.org/

Aims for better care for terminally ill inmates.

Prisoners with AIDS Rights Advocacy Group

P.O. Box 2161 Jonesboro, GA 30237

Provides practical and political support for prisoners with HIV/AIDS.

National Minority AIDS Council

1931 13th St. NW Washington, DC 20009

info@nmac.org www.nmac.org

Develops AIDS awareness among people of color.

Hidalgo 45 La Buena Vista Wimberly, TX 78676

Inexpensive glasses.

Services to Elder Prisoners, Pennsylvania Prison Society 245 N. Broad St., Suite 300 Philadelphia, PA 19107 Phone: 570-477-2688 Email: dalbertson@prisonsociety.org Contact: Douglas Albertson

Assists older inmates in adjusting to prison life.

Women local and national

National Clearing House for the Defense of Battered Women ­

125 S.9th Street #302 Philadelphia, PA 19107 215-351-0010 or 800-903-0111 ext. 3 We provide assistance and information to battered women charged with crimes and to their defense teams. We do not provide direct legal representation. Women in prison can subscribe to our newsletter, DoubleTime, for free.

Lydia’s Place 711 Penn Avenue, Suite 706, Pittsburgh, PA  15222 Phone:  412-471-3410    FAX:  412-471-3492 e-mail:  lydiasplaceinc@aol.com is a faith-based organization dedicated to helping female offenders and their dependent children to rebuild their lives and become productive members of society

Atkins House 313 E. King Street York, PA 17403

(717) 848-5454 (717) 852-9416 (Fax)

Email: atkinshouse@desupernet.net Website: www.atkinshouse.org

Services: Atkins House, located in York, PA, is a residential and outpatient treatment center for women offenders - providing counseling for drug, alcohol and sexual abuse as well as victim awareness, life skills and mother - child

transition after incarceration. Atkins House is a non-profit service organization.

YWCA of Greater Harrisburg 1101 Market St. Harrisburg, PA (717) 238-7273 (717) 238-4533 (Fax) Email: jcooper@ywcahbg.org

Services: Legal advocacy and attorney representation at all scheduled hearings; Ongoing legal assistance through continuances, settlement negotiations and contested hearings; Drafting court documents and subpoenaing witnesses, photographs and medical records, when appropriate; Legal options counseling; Legal advocacy and accompaniments to domestic violence-related criminal and

civil court proceedings; Community outreach and educational programs.

Violence Intervention and Prevention Program Services: 24 hour Hotline for Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Crisis situations; Domestic Violence Shelter for Women and Children; Court accompaniments; Victim Witness accompaniments; Hospital accompaniments; Police accompaniments; Support Groups; Individual counseling; Employment services for victims of Domestic Violence;

Domestic Violence Legal Clinic; Supervised Visitation Services; Prevention Education programs; Latin American/Vietnamese Domestic Violence Outreach; Two satellite offices – Elizabethville and New Bloomfield; Referral information.

Residence Program: Emergency Shelter; Permanent

Women Against Abuse Legal Center

Philadelphia 100 S. Broad St., 5th Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19110 (215) 386-7777 (Hotline)

Website: www.dvresources.org/legalctr.html

Montgomery County Legal Aid

Norristown: (610) 275-5400 Pottstown: (610) 326-8280

Services: Provides services to victims of domestic violence and their children, including 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, counseling, legal representation and advocacy. The legal center offers court advocacy and attorney representation for protection from abuse orders and in a limited number of cases for child support and custody, telephone counseling, options counseling and safety planning. The legal center also provides supportive services through the Self-Defense Program to battered women in situations where they have defended themselves and/or

their children and have been arrested.

U.S. Department of Justice, Violence Against Women

Office 810 7th Street, NW Washington, DC 20531

(202) 307-6026 (202) 307-3911 (Fax)

Email: askocpa@ojp.usdoj.gov

The U.S. Department of Justice, through its Violence Against Women Office, enforces federal criminal statutes, assists the Attorney General in formulating policy related to civil and criminal justice for women, and administers more than $270 million a year in grants to help states, tribes, and local communities transform the way in which criminal justice systems respond to crimes of domestic violence,

sexual assault, and stalking.

Families of Offenders 5100 Peach Street, 2nd floor Erie, PA 16509

(814) 864-0605

Services: The Families of Offenders is a support program designed to meet the needs of children, families, and friends of prisoners. Services offered: support group for families and friends of prisoners (adult), support group for kids with incarcerated parents, information and education on the criminal justice system and corrections system, individual and family counseling, and low cost transportation to state correctional institutions

Program for Female Offenders 1515 Derry Street Harrisburg, PA17104 717-238-9950 717-236-3585 fax E-Mail: program@epix.net
Web Site: www.stophiv.com/details.asp?id=2074

Sojourner: The Women’s Forum 42 Seaverns Ave. Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 offers women in prison fee subscriptions to feminist paper, penpal ads and resource guide for women in prison

California Coalition for Women Prisoners
1540 Market St., Suite 490 San Francisco, CA 94102 (415) 255-7036 ext. 4 (415) 552-3150 info@womenprisoners.org

The CCWP publishes, The Fire Inside, a quarterly publication dedicated to providing a space for women prisoners and their supporters to communicate with each other and the broader public about the issues and experiences women prisoners face through articles, art and poetry. (I’m not sure if it’s free or not but it’s a real great newsletter.

Women’s Prison Book Project c/o Arise Bookstore

2441 Lyndale Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN 55405

This program is for women prisoners only. Unable to send books to Oregon prisoners.

Women Organized to Respond to Life Threatening Diseases

414 13th St., 2nd Floor Oakland, CA 19102

info@womenhiv.org www.womenhiv.org

Provides free HIV/AIDS information.

The Action Committee for Women in Prison 626-710-7543 www.acwip.net Advocates for humane treatment of incarcerated women.

Free Battered Women 1540 Market St., Suite 490 San Francisco, CA 94102 Phone: 415-255-7036 x320 Fax: 415-552-3150 info@freebatteredwomen.org Advocates for legal rights of imprisoned victims of domestic violence.

The Unitarian Church of Harrisburg 1280 Clover Lane Harrisburg, PA 17113 Phone 717-564-4761 Fax: 717-564-4780 office@uchuua.org

Hosts The Program for Female Offenders. Offers employment assistance and life skills classes.

The Working Group to Enhance Services for Incarcerated Women, Pennsylvania Prison Society 215-564-4775 x107 Contact: Naima Black

project of The Prison Society, is a coalition of community-based service providers who offer information and services to women incarcerated in Philadelphia and to women recently released from correctional facilities into the greater Philadelphia area. Family advocacy, parental rights, resource directory, classes, reentry, housing, welfare, support groups child care etc.! this program sounds great for women.

Parents and children

ParentWlSE, Inc. 409 Coulter Avenue, Suite 2 Greensburg, PA 15601

(724) 837-5410 (800) 544-0227 (Helpline) (724) 837-1555 (Helpline) (724) 837-8828 (Fax) Email: pwise@parentwiseinc.comWebsite: www.parentwiseinc.com Services: Basic parenting classes for male and female inmates; support groups and other education available once they are released; help line for spouses and other family members to call about parenting issues.

Project IMPACT SCI-Muncy P.O. Box 180 Muncy, PA 17756-0180

(570) 546-3171 Email: information@project-impact.org

Services: Formed to strengthen the relationship between inmate parents and their children through positive interaction. Special children's center activities include

Christmas and birthday gift giving. A play yard is also available for supervised outside activities. Various training and education programs include activity workshops, parental education and individual conferences; also a Baby Think It

Over Program and a Parenting Teens Program

Amachi Pittsburgh- Pittsburgh Leadership Program 100 Ross Street 4th floor Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-281-3752 www.plf.org Mentoring program for children of incarcerated parents, children of promise.

Center for Family Life, Inc.125 N. 5th Street Indiana, PA 15701

(724) 463-8595 (724) 463-8598 (Fax) Email: cf1125@ptd.net

Website: www.centerforfamilylife.com

Services: Parent training, supervised visits and parent self help

groups. Child abuse prevention treatment helps families to reunite after separation.

Centre County Children and Youth Services

Willowbank Office Building 420 Holmes Street

Bellefonte, PA 16823 (814) 355-6755 (814) 355-6939 (Fax)

(800) 479-0050 (After Hours-Emergencies)

Services: Protect children and, whenever possible, keep families intact while ensuring the safety of the children. Information and referral, intake, in-home services, placement services and adoption. Fees are charged for

some services, based on income.

Centre County Domestic Relations Section

Willowbank Building 420 Holmes Street

Bellefonte, PA 16823 (814) 355-6741 (814) 355-6708 (Fax)

website: www.centreconnect.org/county/drs

Services: Prepares petitions for support to establish support obligations owed by absent parents. Provides services to establish paternity for children born out of wedlock. Recommendations as to the appropriate amount of support and upon entry of a court order and enforcement services to collect monies are available. Services are available to anyone who has custody of a child with an absent parent,

any party seeking spousal support or alimony “pendente lite” or individuals seeking medical support. Persons applying for or receiving TANF benefits automatically receive support services. Parties pay certain costs.

Bethesda Family Services Foundation

Telephone: 570-568-2373 Address: P.O. Box 210 West Milton, PA 17886 E-mail: staff@bfsf.org Web site: www.bfsf.org

Contact: Max Harrison, Executive Director Dominic Herbst, President

Area Served: USA Established: 1995 Publications: Bad Dads - video of group and family sessions at Lewisburg federal prison, $15. Parenting programs and family healing seminars for inmates and families. The model focuses on relational healing in the lives of all family members. Participants are taken on a journey through The Four Steps to Emotional Healing leading them to victory over their pain and allowing them to restore broken relationships. Additional parenting skills training is also provided.

National Incarcerated Parents and Families Network

Telephone: 717-657-0982 Address: P.O. Box  6745

Harrisburg, PA 17112 E-mail: cstuart@incarceratedparents.org

Web site: www.incarceratedparents.org

Provides training, technical assistance and public information on parent education programs aimed at incarcerated adults and juveniles. The program model supports positive family involvement during incarceration and after release.

Pennsylvania Department of Corrections/ Parent Organization: Pennsylvania State Government

Telephone: 717-731-6538 Address: P.O. Box 598

Camp Hill, PA 17001-0598 E-mail: jabell@state.pa.us

Web site: www.cor.state.pa.us

Publications: I Love You This Much - booklets for parents of children ages 3-5 and 6-12, order from Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Correctional Industries.

 Provides parent education, transportation for prison visits, self-help support groups, family literacy, video-visiting, mentoring children of prisoners, family financial education, family violence prevention training, information and referrals.

Philadelphia Society for Services to Children

Telephone: 215-875-3400 Address: 415 S. 15th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19146 E-mail: brich@pssckids.org

Web site: www.pssc@libertynet.org Contact: Brenda Rich

Program Director Kids'n'Kin Helen Dennis, Executive Director

Provides home visitor support and workshops to caregivers. Provides family therapy, legal assistance and support groups for children. Provides clients with transportation for prison visits. 

Riverside Correctional Facility

Telephone: 215-685-6972 Address: 8151 State Road

Philadelphia, PA 19111 E-mail: dawn.middleton-bryant@prisons.phila.gov Area Served: Philadelphia County Jail for Women Parent Organization: Philadelphia Prison System Provides gifts for children, enhanced visiting environment, case management, support for communication between prison and home, counseling, re-entry support, self-help support group, information and referrals.

Center for Children of Incarcerated Parents (National)

P.O. Box 41-286 Eagle Rock, CA 90041

(626) 449-8796 (626) 449-9001 (Fax)

Email: ccip@earthlink.org Website: www.e-ccip.org

Services: The mission of the center is to reduce or prevent inter-generational crime and incarceration. The development of new documentation on children of prisoners and other offenders and the demonstration of model services for these families are the center's goals. The program has four components: information, education, family reunification and therapeutic services.

Legal Services for Prisoners with Children

1540 Market St. #490 San Francisco, CA 94102

info@prisonerswithchildren.org

www.prisonerswithchildren.org

Provides referrals for incarcerated parents.

Family and Corrections Network

32 Oak Grove Rd. Palmyra, VA 22963

fcn@fcnetwork.org www.fcnetwork.org

Provides publications full of information for incarcerated parents.

Families United P.O. Box 9476 Philadelphia, PA 19139 Phone: 215-604-1759 For children with a loved one incarcerated. After-school and other programs for kids.

Parenting Skills Class, Pennsylvania Prison Society Phone: 215-564-4775 x120 Contact: Ann Schwartzman Provides 12-week parenting skills classes to incarcerated men and women at SCI Camp Hill, SCI Chester, SCI Graterford, SCI Greensburg, SCI Pine Grove, SCI Mercer and SCI Waymart.

Support for Kids with Incarcerated Parents, Philadelphia Prison Society Phone: 215-564-4775 x123 Contact: Ted Enoch helps children with incarcerated parents build their self-esteem and cope with their parents' incarceration.

Religion local and national

Red Heart Warrior Society P.O. Box 4362 Allentown, PA 18105

(Native Americans)

Native American Indian Inmate Support Project

8 Dallas Drive. Grantville, Pa 17208 National group that supports introduction of Native American religious ceremonies into prisons.

Native American Prisoners’ Rehabilitation Research Project

2848 Paddock Lane, Villa Hills, KY 41017

Offers many services for Native American prisoners, including legal and spiritual support, tribal and cultural programs, and direct contact with prison administrators.

Jewish Prisoner Services International PO BOX 85840, Seattle, WA 98145-1840 (206) 985-0577 (206) 985-0479 (FAX)

Emergency Collect Phone: 206-528-0363

Email: jewishprisonerservices@msn.com

Website: www.jewishprisonerservices.org

Liberation Prison Project P.O. Box 31527 San Francisco,CA 94131 – 0527 www.fpmt.org The prison project offers free Buddhist boks, prayers and practice booklets, practice items, Mandala subscriptions and video and audio tapes of teachings to individuals and Buddhist study groups in over a hundred prisons in the United States.

Office of Prison Ministry

Archdiocese of Philadelphia 7340 Jackson Street

Philadelphia, PA 19136 (215) 331-3640 (215) 624-9197 (Fax)

Email: Irucinski@adphila.org

Website: www.archdiocese-phl.org/laity/prisonministry.htm

Services: Provides pastoral and spiritual care to inmates incarcerated at the Philadelphia Prison System, and support for their families. Coordinates tutoring in reading for inmates.

U.S. Mennonite Central Committee/Office of Criminal Justice

P.O. Box 500 Akron, PA 17501-0500 www.mcc.org

Offers many publications concerning crime and religion. Most are free to prisoners.

Logos Prison Book Ministry PO Box 91 Norco, CA 92860-0091 Offers free Christian materials.

Islamic Council of Greater Pittsburgh Anti-Discrimination Committee 412-654-6047 Ipadpa@yahoo.com www.freewebs.com/ipad

Prison Fellowship P.O. Box 10613 Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Phone: 412-829-0299 Fax: 412-829-0325 Paul_Mabin@pfm.org

Mission is to exhort, equip, and assist the Church in its ministry to prisoners, ex-prisoners, victims, and their families, and to promote biblical standards of justice in the criminal justice system. Provides programs in more than 1,200 prisons, involving more than 50,000 volunteers across the United States.

PenPals

New Beginnings P.O. Box 25 Westby, WI 54667 For gay prisoners, free add or 10 stamps to get list

Iron House Drums P.O. Box 9545 Bend, OR 97708 Native American Pen Pal Service

Reaching Beyond The Walls P.O. Box 6905 Rutland, VT 05702

prisonpenpal.tripod.com/ Women friendly, Gay Friendly, Displays inmate art and poetry, e-mail forwarding, Free(Donations, send SASE)

Prison Pen Pals P.O. Box 235 East Berlin, PA 17316 www.prisonpenpals.com Moderately priced.

Prisoner Writes P.O. Box 78 Mt. Holly Springs, PA 17065

Surviving the System, Inc. P.O. Box 1860 Ridgeland, MS 39158

TIG Prisoner Penpal Project P.O. Box 1122 Portland, OR 97221

Penpals for transgender/transsexual, intersex, and gender questioning prisoners.

Pre- Release

Lycoming County Pre-Release Center

546 County Farm Road Montoursville, PA 17754

(570) 433-3280 (570) 433-4713 (Fax)

Services: A community corrections center located in Lycoming County. 96-bed facility houses county minimumsecurity inmates. The county has a contract with the Federal Bureau of Prisons to accept pre-release and parole referrals.

All referrals must be approved by Federal and State Community Corrections and Director of Treatment. Referrals must be from Lycoming

Project Blanket- Helps male and female prisoners with history of substance abuse make the transition from prison to the community.

Contact Rev. Harvey at 412-244-0329 (Pittsburgh)

Operation Outward Reach, Inc.

227 South Sixth Street Youngwood, PA 15697

(724) 925-2419 (800) 253-5719 (724) 925-3885(Fax)

Email: oor72@westol.com

Website: www.operationoutwardreach.org

Services: Skill development and vocational training for resident offenders of five state penal institutions: Greensburg, Huntingdon, Mercer, Cresson, and Somerset.

We take trainees into the community to teach carpentry and masonry by providing low-cost construction to senior citizens, other economically disadvantaged and non-profit agencies. Juvenile Day Treatment is provided in the Westmoreland County area for out-of-school young men ages 15 through 21. Purpose of this training is to provide onthe- job construction learning, G.E.D., drug & alcohol education, life skills, job skills, and adolescent fatherhood components.

Allegheny County Department of Aging

441 Smithfield Street Building Pittsburgh, PA 15222

(412) 350-6905 (800) 344-4319 (412) 350-2727 TDD

Email: SeniorLine@dhs.county.allegheny.pa.us

Services: A broad range of human services for persons over age 60, the handicapped and the needy. Information and referral, care management, senior center-based

services, senior employment program, home help, congregate/home delivered meals and emergency housing assistance. Former inmates, victims and families living in

Allegheny County may obtain additional program information and assistance in accessing services by contacting the Department of Aging.

Atkins House 313 E. King Street York, PA 17403 (717) 848-5454

(717) 852-9416 (Fax) Email: atkinshouse@desupernet.net

Website: www.atkinshouse.org

Services: Atkins House, located in York, PA, is a residential and outpatient treatment center for women offenders - providing counseling for drug, alcohol and sexual abuse as well as victim awareness, life skills and mother - child

transition after incarceration. Atkins House is a non-profit service organization

Legal Action Center 153 Waverly Place. New York, NY 10014 Publications about looking for work when you have a criminal record.

Career Work Force Development East 7135 Fluery Way Pittsburgh, PA 15208 412-241-2811 contact Corena Pope

Dress for Success 3820 Walnut St. Suite 2 Harrisburg, PA 17109 Phone: 717-657-3333 Fax: 717-657-3222 Email: southcentralpa@dressforsuccess.org Provides professional attire and career support services to disadvantaged women.

Re-Entry Services, Philadelphia Prison Society 245 N. Broad St., Suite 300 Philadelphia, PA 19107 Phone: 215-564-4775 Email: geninfo@prisonsociety.org Contact: Betty-Ann Soiefer Izenman

Offers life skills classes aimed at helping prisoners attain self-sufficiency.

Legal Action Center 225 Varick St. New York, NY 10014 Phone: 1-800-223-40444 Email: lacinfo@lac.org Website: www.lac.org Publications about finding work with a criminal record.

ExOffenderReentry Website www.exoffenderreentry.com “your one-stop resource center for corrections and re-entry success” This site had lots of books and resources for ex-offenders, how to search for a job, write resumes etc. all geared to ex offenders. All info must be bought in the form of books. They also have videos, posters, and other educational tools. Not sure how good they are.

Free GED Prep Class Online http://www.gedforfree.com/index.html.  Here you will find a complete, free GED online preparation course and practice tests, which can help you pass your GED exams and take the next step toward college or a new career. Developed by expert instructors, this 150-page course covers all of the aspects of the GED. Designed for adults with a ninth-grade education or higher, the course provides a solid preparation and training program in the test topics, and includes many helpful tips and strategies and other useful information. Special attention is paid to GED math. The online class is available to anyone who is ready to put in a bit of time and energy preparing for the GED test. Whether a career or college bound individual, a home school student, or just someone interested in review content or practice exams, this is the place for you!

Queer

Lesbian and Gay Rights and AIDS Projects

American Civil Liberties Union 125 Broad Street, 18th Fl. New York, NY 10004 Helps prisoners who are facing discrimination because they are transgender, lesbian, gay, bisexual or they have HIV.

Transsexual Inmates Attn: Jessie Shafer GIC of Colorado Inc.

1401 Saulsbury St. Suite G-9Lakewood, CO 80214

Write for free copy of Prison Journal Newsletter

Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders phone: 617-426-1350

gladlaw@glad.org www.glad.org

Brothers Behind Bars c/o RFD magazine (Radical Faerie Digest)

P.O. Box 68 Liberty, TN 37095A quarterly list of gay/bi/trans male inmates produced and distributed upon request by RFD magazine. A donation of #3-10 is requested for the list. At no charge to the inmate, ads are placed once per year. Each list contains between 200 and 300 ads. Inmates are also offered a special $10.00 per year subscription rate to RFD magazine.

Fanorama Society Publisher and Prisoner Zine Distro

109 Arnold Ave. Cranston, RI 02905

Publishes zines created by people in prison and provides these zines to other prisoners. Several are queer/trans. Payments may be made in cash, state money orders, or postage. Write for list.

Gender Mutiny Collective P.O. Box 0494 Chapel Hill, NC 26514

A radical transgender activist group engaged in supporting trans and queer prisoners through a growing pen pal program. If you are queer or trans and looking for a pen pal, write for details.

Jason Lydonc/o Community Church of Boston

565 Boylston St Boston, MA 02116

Jason is the Congregational Director t the Community Church and works to do direct support and advocacy for queer prisoners.

Sinister Wisdom Magazine P.O. Box 3252 Berkeley, CA 94703

www.sinisterwisdom.org Publishes prose, poetry, essays, graphics, and book reviews by lesbians only. Free to women in prison.

Sylvia Rivera Law Project 322 8th Ave., 3rd floor New York, NY 10001

Works to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine their gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race, and without facing harassment, discrimination, or violence.

T.I.P. Journal c/o Gender Identity Center of Colorado, Inc.

3895 Upham St., Suite 40 Wheat Ridge, CO 80033

A newsletter for transgender prisoners. Write for details.

Transgender, Gender Variant, and Intersex Justice Project (TGIJP) & Trans/Gender Variant in Prison Committee (TIP)

Attn: Alex Lee, Attorney at Law 1322 Webster St, Suite 210 Oakland, CA 94612 TGIJP provides legal advice to transgender, gender variant, and intersex (TGI) people in California prisons and beyond. TIP is a community organizing and advocacy group working to end discrimination, medical neglect. Abuse, and violence experienced by transgender and gender variant people in California prisons.

TIP Prisoner Penpal Project P.O. Box 1122 Portland, OR 97211

Accepting requests only from transgender/transsexual, intersex, and gender questioning prisoners who would like a pen pal. Requests must include a brief paragraph about yourself and your interests and what kind of pen pal you are interested in. Free.

Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole

Philadelphia 1400 Spring Garden Street Philadelphia, PA 19130 Phone - 215-560-2452 Pittsburgh 300 Liberty Ave. #301 Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1210 Phone - 412-565-5054 Lycoming County 450 Little League Blvd. Williamsport, PA 17701 Phone - 717-327-3575 Greensburg, Westmoreland County Old Route 30 Plaza Greensburg, PA 15601 Phone - 724-832-5370

You can contact the following divisions of probation and parole at the address of the main Harrisburg office:

Executive Offices 1101 South Front Street, Suite 5100

Harrisburg, PA 17104-2517 Phone - 717-787-5699

(Central Office Mailing Addresses, Chairman, Board Members, Chief Counsel, Communications and Legislative Affairs Office, Office of Professional Responsibility)

Office of Victim Advocates - Suite 5200

Board of Secretary’s Office – Suite 5300

(Board Secretary, Case Analysis Division, Case Management Division, Hearing Officers Division, File Room)

Office of Probation and Parole – Suite 5400 (Special Projects, Bureau of Probation Services, County Firearms, Training Division) Bureau of Human Resoures – Suite 5600 (Personnel, Equal Employment Opportunity office, Training Division) Sexual Offender Assessment Board – Suite 5700 Interstate Services Division – Suite 5700

State courts

Superior Court Prothonotary
The Fulton Building
200 North Third Street - Ninth Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101

Commonwealth Court Prothonotary
624 Irvis Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
717-255-1650

Contact the prothonotary of the appellate court where the case is pending for the status of the case.

Supreme Court 215-560-6370 Superior Court 215-560-5800 Commonwealth Court 717-255-1600

Job Help – from the National Hire Network

(Some of the info in this section is repeated throughout the guide, but I thought the National Hire Networks little blurbs seemed rather helpful, so ‘scuze the redundancy, oh and the names on the contacts might be outdated)

Johnny L. Butler, Secretary
Labor and Industry Bldg., Room 1700 7th and Forster Streets
Harrisburg, PA 17120 7177875279 Web Site: www.dli.state.pa.us Information about State Department of Labor resources may be of interest to:
• potential employers looking for incentives to hire individuals with criminal histories;
• service providers and individuals with criminal histories who are looking for assistance in finding employment; and
• researchers and policy makers looking at current programs to ascertain what programs are effective and serve their intended purpose.

A. Federal Bonding Program
The Federal Bonding Program provides fidelity bonding insurance coverage to individuals with criminal histories and other high-risk job applicants who are qualified, but fail to get jobs because regular commercial bonding is denied due to their backgrounds.
Raymond Patackis, Bonding Services Coordinator
Pennsylvania Bureau of Workforce Investment
Labor and Industry Bldg., 12th Floor 7th and Forster Streets
Harrisburg, PA 17120 717-787-6915 717-772-5478 fax
E-Mail: rpatackis@dli.state.pa.us
Web Site: www.dli.state.pa.us/andi/cwp/view.asp?a=129&Q=61085

B. Tax Credits
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal tax credit to reduce the federal tax liability of private for profit employers to be used as an incentive for employers to hire individuals from eight different targeted groups: TANF recipients, veterans, ex-felons, high risk youth, summer youth, Food Stamp recipients, SSI recipients, and vocational rehabilitation referrals.
Barbara Zullinger, WOTC Coordinator
Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, 12th Floor
Labor and Industry Bldg.
7th and Forster Streets Harrisburg, PA 17120
717-783-3676 717-787-5785 fax E-Mail: bzullinger@dli.state.pa.us
Web Site: www.dli.state.pa.us/

C. Unemployment Insurance Office
Unemployment compensation is a social insurance program designed to provide benefits to most individuals out of work, generally through no fault of their own, for periods between jobs. In order to be eligible for benefits, jobless workers must demonstrate that they have worked, usually measured by amount of wages and/or weeks of work, and must be able and available for work.

The unemployment compensation program is based upon federal law, but administered by states under state law.

Unemployment compensation is a social insurance program designed to provide benefits to most individuals outof work, generally through no fault of their own, for periods between jobs. In order to be eligible for benefits, jobless workers must demonstrate that they ahve worked, usually measured by amount of wages and/or weeks of work, and must be able and available for work. The unemployment compensation program is based upon federal law, but administered by states under state law. Forms and information may be obtained at any local Resource Center and via the internet at the web site below. (See also Section VII of this site "Local Service Providers.")
Claims Information Center
Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry
Labor and Industry Bldg., 6th Floor 7th and Forster Streets
Harrisburg, PA 17121 888-313-7284 717-783-3734 fax
Web Site: www.dli.state.pa.us/

II. Criminal Record Repository
This is the agency individuals may contact to obtain a copy of their state rap sheet and learn about the process of sealing, expunging or cleaning it up. The criminal record repository can also tell the individual who else is legally entitled to have access to his or her record.

To obtain a copy of a criminal record, a "Request for Criminal Record Check" (Form SP4-164) must be sent to the contact address below, along with a certified check or money order int he amount of $10.
Bureau of Records and Information Services
Pennsylvania State Police 1800 Elmerton Ave. Harrisburg, PA 17110
717-783-5588 717-772-3681 fax

III. State Attorney General
Employers and service providers may obtain information from the state attorney general regarding occupational bars, the licensing of individuals with criminal records in certain jobs, and whether the state has laws that limit what employers may ask job applicants or protections against employment discrimination based on a criminal record.
Mike Fisher, Attorney General Office of the Attorney General
Strawberry Square Harrisburg, PA 17120 717-787-3391
717-783-1107 fax E-Mail: info@attorneygeneral.gov
Web Site: www.attorneygeneral.gov

IV. State Department of Corrections

New Organization Name

Pennsylvania Correctional Industries (PCI) aims to maximize inmate employment while providing vocational training and work experience. The program provides inmates withjob skills that are marketable in high-level production and manufacturing occupations. Inmates are trained in 115 different job titles, including machine and equipment operators, laundry workers, cannery workers, shipping and receiving clerks, painters, meat cutters, bookkeepers and optical lab technicians. To qualify for the program, inmates must be in good standing and able to read at a fifth grade level.
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Bureau of Correctional Industries
717-731-7135 Web Site: http://www.cor.sta4te.pa.us/ci.pdf

Community Orientation Reintegration Program

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections recently began a new pre-release program, the Community Orientation Reintegration program. The first phase begins five weeks before an inmate is released to parole. The inmate is taken out of all other programs and given a “booster shot” of programs, which includes such elements as drug and alcohol programs and anger management. In Phase II, inmates are released to a community corrections center/halfway house, where they receive social services and job assistance and continue drug and alcohol treatment and relapse prevention. If an inmate has not received drug and alcohol treatment during incarceration, he or she is placed in a residential treatment program under contract with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections for 30 to 90 days. Inmates who have received treatment during incarceration attend day treatment at the community corrections center. Once inmates find a job they are allowed to leave the center and enter regular parole. A description of the program can be found at: http://www.cor.state.pa.us/COR%20Presentation%20Final.pdf
Jeannine Christ, COR Program
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections 2520 Lisburn Road P.O. Box 598
Camp Hill, PA 17001-0598 717-730-2704 Web Site: www.cor.state.pa.us

V. Office of Probation and Parole Services

Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole

The Office of Probation and Parole Services does not offer any specific program for employment assistance. Services are offered on an individual level by agents, either by bringing together unemployed parolees and probationers under their supervision to provide them with relevant information or by telling them about openings and other necessary information on an individual level.

Contact:
Office of Probation and Parole Services Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole
1101 South Front St., Suite 5100 Harrisburg, PA 17104-2517
717-787-5699 E-Mail: pubinfo@pbpp.state.pa.us

VI. Legal Assistance
Free or low-cost legal resources, both in civil and criminal law, are helpful to individuals with criminal histories in learning about relevant state laws governing the expungement or sealing of criminal histories or addressing other legal issues resulting from having a criminal history.

A. State Public Defender

Contact:
George Shultz Public Defender Association of Pennsylvania
115 State St. Harrisburg, PA 17101 717-234-7403 717-234-7462 fax

B. Legal Services

Contact:
Pennsylvania Legal Services 118 Locust St. Harrisburg, PA 17101-1414
717-236-9486 717-233-4088 fax Web Site: www.palegalservices.org Community Legal Services, Inc.has experience with a wide variety of criminal records and employment issues, including filing EEOC charges and community education on pardons, expungements, and employment rights.

Contact:
Sharon Dietrich Community Legal Services, Inc. 1424 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19102 215-981-3700 E-Mail: sdietrich@clsphila.org

C. State Bar Association

Contact:
Pennsylvania Bar Association 100 South St. P.O. Box 186 Harrisburg, PA 17108
717-238-6715 717-238-1204 fax E-Mail: info@pabar.org Web Site: www.pabar.org

VII. Local Service Providers
Community agencies are available to assist individuals with criminal records find employment. This information will inform individuals with criminal records about government agencies and community-based organizations that assist with employment, education or vocational training. Researchers and policy makers may find this information useful in identifying agencies and service providers in order to evaluate the effectiveness of these programs.

Philadelphia Youth Network

The Philadelphia Youth Network runs Youth Opportunity (YO) centers for out-of-school youth under the age of 21 living in the Empowerment Zone. The centers offer services to youths with criminal records and work with the juvenile justice system. However, there are no specialized services directed towards this population, and there are no focused efforts to gather specific information on clients with records. The centers provide a number of services including re-engagement, job readiness, education services, and referrals to other needed services. Clients receive follow-up services two years following job placement.
Melissa Orner, Chief of Staff
Philadelphia Youth Network
John F. Kennedy Center, Room 681 734 Schuylkill Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19146
215-875-3823 215-875-5740 fax E-Mail: mjorner@phila.k12.pa.us

Metropolitan Career Center/STRIVE Philadelphia

Metropolitan Career Center (MCC) is a private, non-profit accredited school that serves under-skilled and economically disadvantaged Philadelphia youth and adults, enabling them to find and keep jobs. The Center offers five roads to employment, ranging from STRIVE, a four-week quick "attachment to the workforce" program, to a 60-week training course in computer hardware and software support that confers an Associate Degree in Specialized Technology Training and is provided free of charge to qualified students. MCC/STRIVE is an intensive four-week program. The program stresses the development of interpersonal skills, team building, and employment readiness. Through structured classes and group interaction, students develop job application skills, including resume writing, interviewing, and telephone usage. Students also receive individual counseling to help them address personal and family issues or other barriers. Referrals to outside agencies for assistance with housing, childcare, and other needs are made as necessary. Formal collaborations have been developed with Children’s Aid Society of Pennsylvania and the Tenant Action Group to facilitate students’ easy access to these supplemental services. Additionally, STRIVE staff maintain an active job bank and refer students to appropriate interviews. After students graduate from STRIVE, they can take advantage of these services and participate in Job Club activities until they are employed. In addition, MCC instituted a pilot program in 2002, an enhancement to STRIVE called Employment Plus in which STRIVE graduates receive more intensive follow-up and support services for 12 months after graduation to encourage and support long-term job retention and skill upgrading. These services focus on helping participants to overcome problems in the workplace and in their personal lives that could lead to their termination or resignation. Lastly, GED and computer classes offered on Saturdays are geared toward helping graduates gain advancement in the workplace.
Patricia Fountain Slowe, MCC/STRIVE Program Manager
162 West Chelten Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19144
215-843-6615 215-843-7661 fax
Web Site: www.strivecentral.com/sites/national/mcc.htm

Goodwill Industries of Pittsburgh

Goodwill Industries of Pittsburgh runs one of the Team Pennsylvania Career Link sites, which provide computer skills and job search services to the public. Any further services require that the individual be recommended to the organization and that the recommending party provide payment. However, these services are provided to all types of people, including those with criminal records and other significant barriers to employment including developmental and other disabilities. These further services begin with a one to four-day assessment, depending on needs, in which the individual is evaluated for skill level, job interests, and other necessary information. Participants are then given job training, educational assistance, computer-based training, driver training, on-the-job paid work training and placement in the community. Goodwill also offers different workshops focused on employment and provides referrals for any other requirements. Goodwill offers 18 months of follow-up services, including intervention at job sites and other support services.
Goodwill Industries of Pittsburgh 2600 East Carson St. Pittsburgh, PA 15203
412-390-2327 Web Site: www.goodwillpitt.org

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

The Carnegie Library provides generalized employment preparation and job-finding services, but does not provide any specialized services for individuals with criminal records. Among the services provided is assistance with resume preparation, GED and other educational assistance, guidance in selecting a college, providing test booklets for test preparation, descriptions of the various types of jobs available, assistance with setting up e-mail accounts, and classes on internet and computer program use.
Job & Career Education Center
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh 4400 Forbes Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-622-3133 412-622-3136 fax E-Mail: jcec@carnegielibrary.org
Web Site: www.carnegielibrary.org/locations/jcec

Methodist Union of Social Agencies

Methodist Union of Social Agencies (MUSA) runs a program for single parents that provides job readiness, life skills, job search, job placement, and job retention assistance and other follow-up services to clients from Homestead, the Steel Valley, and Pittsburgh (95 percent of whom are people with criminal records) through a Welfare-to-Work grant from the county and the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. Clients begin by undergoing a full one-on-one assessment to determine their needs. There is also a six-month follow-up period following successful job placement, in which full services, including any vocational training, continue to be available.
Joann Lippock, Program Director
Methodist Union of Social Agencies 131 East 9th Ave. Homestead, PA 15120
412-461-1800 Web Site: www.musa.org

Southwestern Pennsylvania Reentry Project

A coalition of non-profit organizations (including MUSA and the Mon Valley Initiative) formed in 2001-2002, aims to provide a whole range of services, including job readiness preparation, as well as trying to organize a smooth transition from incarceration back into the community, by making people coming out aware of the resources available to them. The coalition has begun forming relationships with local correctional institutions (FEI Pittsburgh, a nearby state institution has a representative on the coalition’s committee and a demonstration program has been set up with 50 inmates at the Allegheny County Jail to assess inmate needs and begin job readiness services). Coalition members plan to offer a matrix of services to anyone in the local area with a criminal record, including housing opportunities, drug and alcohol treatment, mental health services, transportation, child care, family support, etc. People coming out of prison or jail can come to any member organization and will then be referred to other agencies that can provide needed services not provided by that organization.
Jeff Brooks, Work Force Director
Mon Valley Initiative
303 East 8th Ave.
Homestead, PA 15120
412-464-4000
E-Mail: jbrooks@monvalleyinitiative.com

Ramsey Education and Development Institute

Ramsey Education and Development Institute (REDI) provides a number of educational and job-preparation services to any Pennsylvania resident over the age of 18. (Approximately 25 percent of clients served have criminal records.) The services provided include GED classes at a variety of levels, basic and advanced computer skills classes, assistance in preparing job applications and a Welfare-to-Work program for unemployed and underemployed mothers. REDI also has a network of referrals to address clients’ other needs.
Ramsey Education and Development Institute 17 West Airy Norristown, PA 19401
610-279-0301

Reading-Berks Emergency Shelter

Reading-Berks Emergency Shelter (RBES) provides a number of services, including: around-the-clock childcare services; job-readiness and placement through RBES Job Quest; primary health care services through the Reading Health Dispensary; shelter services that include case management, goal-planning, life skills instruction and aftercare services as well as a safe place to sleep, eat and shower for families and individuals; and transitional and permanent housing programs for families and individuals. RBES Job Quest is a three-week intensive training course focused on attitudinal and behavioral change to help chronically unemployed members of the community find and maintain full-time employment. RBES Job Quest is a replication of the STRIVE program in New York City. The program is targeted toward men and women age 18 and up to overcome employment barriers such as childhood abuse, lack of formal education, inconsistent work histories, substance abuse and criminal histories. Also, the new Soft Skills program teaches basic skills needed to find and maintain entry-level employment. The program includes a free three-week workshop, interviews skills training, resume and cover letter writing classes, basic computer skills, and two years of active support and follow-up for both the graduate and his or her new employer to encourage long-term success.
Lynn Evans-Santana, Director
RBES Job Quest 430 N. 2nd St. Reading, PA 19601 610-374-4696
610-374-3165 fax E-Mail: jnaugle@rbes.org
Web Site: www.rbes.org/default.asp

Pennsylvania Prison Society

The Pennsylvania Prison Society offers re-entry services to recently released people with criminal records and to those transitioning from welfare to work who also have a criminal record. Life skills workshops, job development and employment services are available. The Prison Society also offers inmate family services, elder prisoners services, restorative justice programs, advocacy effort and community outreach and education.
Re-Entry Services Program Manager
Pennsylvania Prison Society
245 N. Broad Street, Suite 300 Philadelphia, PA 19107 (215) 564-6005 (215) 564-4775 (Programs/Direct Services Office) (800) 227-2307 (Toll Free) (215) 564-7926 (Fax) Web Site: www.prisonsociety.org

Program for Female Offenders

The Program for Female Offenders is a free program that provides a variety of services to adult women who either have a drug or alcohol abuse problem or who have had some contact with the criminal justice system. The services provided by the organization include drug education and prevention programs, screening, case management (i.e. life skills programs), financial assistance, employment assistance (i.e. job placement and computer training), GED courses, counseling, nutritional and other services.
Joanna Foster, Client Services Director
Program for Female Offenders 1515 Derry Street Harrisburg, PA 17104
717-238-9950 717-236-3585 fax E-Mail: program@epix.net
Web Site: www.stophiv.com/details.asp?id=2074

Jewish Employment and Vocational Service

The Jewish Employment and Vocational Service (JEVS) is a not-for-profit social service agency that focuses on enhancing the employability and self-sufficiency of clients through a broad range of education, training, health and rehabilitation programs. JEVS’ Prison Program provides vocational training and vocational assessment services to the inmates of the Philadelphia prison system by offering hands-on skills training to increase employability once individuals return to society. Inmates may participate in a wide range of vocational classes, including: welding; building maintenance; horticulture; word processing; desktop publishing; and environmental maintenance. In addition, the "World of Work" program emphasizes the steps involved in seeking and retaining employment, including completing job applications, writing resumes, preparing for job interviews, coping with pressure of the workplace and achieving a positive work ethic. JEVS works in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Prison Society to provide re-entry and other services to the prison population, as well as the growing Adopt-a-Program where public/private sector partnerships are established to help prisoners secure employment or appropriate programs upon their re-entry to the community.
John Lieb JEVS Prison Program Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center
8301 State Road Philadelphia, PA 19136 215-685-7114
E-Mail: John.Lieb@prisons.phila.gov Web Site: www.jevs.org

Baker Industries, Inc.

Baker Industries employs hard to place individuals including individuals serving parole sentences. Baker Industries performs outsourcing services. The agency serves as a transition step toward unsubsidized employment by emphasizing soft skills like being on time for work, good attendance, and productive interaction with co-workers and supervisors. Walk-in applicants are accepted.
John Thatcher, President
Thomas E. Byron, Director of Employee Relations
184 Pennsylvania Ave. Malvern, PA 19355 610-296-9795 610-251-9802 fax
E-Mail: tom@bakerindustries.org Web Site: : www.bakerindustries.org

Firm Foundation of Pennsylvania

The Firm Foundation of Pennsylvania, a faith-based organization, offers a variety of services to adult men and women with drug/alcohol addiction histories and those who have had contact with the criminal justice system. General reentry services include mentoring, case management and career/job development. In addition, transitional housing for men and fatherhood enrichment services are also available.
Rev. Ron Tilley, Executive Director
Firm Foundation of Pennsylvania, Inc. 28 North 19th St.
Harrisburg, PA 17103 717-233-6133 717-754-0017 fax E-Mail: rtilley@firmfoundation.info Web Site: www.firmfoundation.org

Federal Occupational restrictions affecting people with criminal records

The first of many obstacles or issues a person has to address after getting out of prison is obtaining employment. Entering the job market with a criminal record, it would not be uncommon for a job applicant to wonder, “Where can I get hired?”

It may be comforting to note that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has interpreted Title VII of the Civil Rights Act to prohibit employment polices that exclude individuals solely on the basis of their conviction records. Read literally, Title VII prohibits private employers and state and local governments from discriminating in employment decisions (hiring, firing, promotions, etc.) on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, or religion. Nevertheless, the EEOC has determined that discrimination on the basis of conviction records have a disparate impact on racial minorities. Thus, a criminal conviction cannot be the sole reason to disqualify a person from employment. If, however, the employer can also show a “business necessity” for refusing to hire a person with a conviction record, that decision is not illegal.
Despite Title VII’s implicit prohibition against discrimination based on criminal history, there are a number of federal laws that either bar people with criminal records from holding a particular occupation or restrict their ability to do so.

  • Convictions of offenses involving dishonesty, breach of trust, or money laundering disqualify an individual from working for institutions that are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. (See 12 U.S.C. § 1829 and our website summary of these laws, “People with Criminal Records Working in Financial Institutions: The Rules on FDIC Waivers.”)

  • Federal law bars certain classes of felons from working in the insurance industry without having received permission from an insurance regulatory official. (See 18 U.S.C. § 1033(c)(2).)

  • Certain classes of felons are barred, for 13 years after one’s conviction (or the end of one’s imprisonment if one is sentenced for a term of longer than 13 years) from holding any of several positions in a union or other organization that manages an employee benefit plan, including serving as an officer of the union or a director of the union’s governing board. (See 29 U.S.C. §§ 504, 1111.)

  • Federal law also prohibits those convicted of certain crimes from providing healthcare services for which they will receive payment from Medicare, 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7, or from working for the generic drug industry. (See 21 U.S.C. § 335a.)

  • There is a federal law that requires criminal history background checks for those individuals who provide care for children. (See 42 U.S.C. § 13041.) In addition, the Federal Child Protection Act, 42 U.S.C. § 5119(a), authorizes states to enact statutes concerning the facilitation of criminal background checks of persons who work with children. It authorizes states to institute mandatory or voluntary fingerprinting of prospective employees in childcare fields in order to facilitate criminal background checks.

  • The area of prisoner transportation (even private prisoner transportation) is federally regulated. 42 U.S.C. § 13726(b) sets “minimum standards for background checks and pre-employment drug testing for potential employees including requiring criminal background checks, to disqualify persons with a felony conviction or domestic violence conviction from employment.” The purpose of the act was to provide protection against risks to the public inherent in the transportation of violent prisoners and to assure the safety of those being transported.

  • Finally, since September 11, 2001, numerous efforts have been made to increase aviation security. Federal laws requiring background checks have been passed to ensure the safety of travelers and airport employees. (See 49 U.S.C. § 44935; 49 U.S.C. § 44936.) These bars to employment are not generally thought to violate the law that prohibits most employers from denying employment solely on the basis of your criminal record because the positions regulated require that a great deal of trust be placed in the individual. Consequently, it is argued that any criminal conviction is job-related to the extent that it makes you less trustworthy, or that it creates an unreasonable risk on the job.
    Yet, while such federal laws bar those convicted of specific crimes from working for the federal government, federal law does not generally disqualify a person with a felony conviction from employment. It is important to note, however, that most laws that prohibit employers from hiring people with criminal records are state and local laws and rules. Thus, it is necessary to review relevant state and local laws to see what they mandate.

Prison Addresses

PA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

STATE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS

P.O. Box 598,

Camp Hill, PA 17001-0598

Revised: 1/4/05

SCI Albion

Supt. Marilyn Brooks

10745 Route 18

Albion, PA 16475-0001

(814) 756-5778

SCI Cambridge Springs

Supt. Rhoda Winstead

451 Fullerton Avenue

Cambridge Springs, PA 16403

(814) 398-5400

SCI Camp Hill

Supt. Donald Kelchner

P.O. Box 8837

Camp Hill, PA 17001-8837

(717) 737-4531

SCI Chester

Supt. Martin Dragovich

500 E. 4th Street

Chester, PA 19013-4551

(610) 490-5412

SCI Coal Township

Supt. Frank D. Gillis

1 Kelley Drive

Coal Township, PA 17866-1020

(570) 644-7890

SCI Cresson

Supt. David J. Good

P.O. Box A Old Route 22

Cresson, PA 16699-0001

(814) 886-8181

SCI Dallas

Supt. James Wynder

1000 Follies Road

Dallas, PA 18612

(570) 675-1101

SCI Fayette

Supt. Harry Wilson

50 Overlook Drive

LaBelle, PA 15450-1050

(724) 364-2200

SCI Forest

Supt. Raymond J. Sobina

1 Woodland Drive

P.O. Box 307

Marienville, PA 16239-0307

(814) 621-2110

SCI Frackville

Supt. Robert Shannon

1111 Altamont Boulevard

Frackville, PA 17931-2699

(570) 874-4516

SCI Graterford

Supt. David DiGuglielmo

P.O. Box 246 Route 29

Graterford, PA 19426-0246

(610) 489-4151

SCI Greene

Supt. Louis Folino

169 Progress Drive

Waynesburg, PA 15370-8090

(724) 852-2902

SCI Greensburg

Supt. David Wakefield

RD 10 Box 10

Route 119 South

Greensburg, PA 15601-8999

(724) 837-4397

SCI Houtzdale

Supt. George Patrick

P.O. Box 1000

Houtzdale, PA 16698-1000

(814) 378-1000

SCI Huntingdon

Supt. James Grace

1100 Pike Street

Huntingdon, PA 16654-1112

(814) 643-2400

SCI Laurel Highlands

Supt. Fredric Rosemeyer

P.O. Box 631

5706 Glades Pike

Somerset, PA 15501-0631

(814) 445-6501

SCI Mahanoy

Supt. Ed Klem

301 Morea Road

Frackville, PA 17932

(570) 773-2158

SRCF Mercer

Supt. Joseph F. Desuta

801 Butler Pike

Mercer, PA 16137

(724) 662-1837

SCI Muncy

Supt. Shirley Moore

Box 180 Route 405

Muncy, PA 17756-0180

(570) 546-3171

SCI Pine Grove

Supt. Barry Johnson

189 Fyock Road

Indiana, PA 15701-6542

(724) 465-9630

SCI Pittsburgh- Closed

Quehanna Boot Camp

Supt. George Patrick

4395 Quehanna Hwy

Karthaus, PA 16845-9714

(814) 263-4125

SCI Retreat

Supt. Charles Erickson

660 State Route 11

Hunlock Creek, PA 18621-3136

(570) 735-8754

SCI Rockview

Supt. Frank Tennis

Box A

Bellefonte, PA 16823

(814) 355-4874

SCI Smithfield

Supt. John Palakovich

P.O. Box 999

Huntingdon, PA 16652

(814) 643-6520

SCI Somerset

Supt. Gerald Rozum
1590 Walters Mill Road
Somerset, PA 15510-0001
(814) 443-8100

SCI Waymart

Supt. Ray Colleran
P.O. Box 256 Route 6
Waymart, PA 18472-0256
(570) 488-5811

Training Academy

Director William Sprenkle
1451 North Market Street
Elizabethtown, PA 17022-1299
(717) 367-9070

YOUTH INTERVENTION CENTER

900 East King Street Lancaster, PA 17602
(717) 626-6301 (717) 390-2347 (Fax)
Email: generetm@co.lancaster.pa.us
Website: www.Lancastercounty.com

County Court Houses

The district number is listed in parentheses.


Adams County (51)
Adams County Courthouse
117 Baltimore Street
Gettysburg, PA 17325
717-337-9846

Allegheny County (5)
300 Frick Building
437 Grant Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412-350-6939

Armstrong County (33)
Armstrong County Courthouse
Second Floor
Kittanning, PA 16201
724-548-3284

Beaver County (36)
Beaver County Courthouse
Third Street
Beaver, PA 15009
724-728-5700

Bedford County (57)
Bedford County Courthouse
Annex #1
Bedford, PA 15522
814-623-4812

Berks County (23)
Berks County Services Center
633 Court Street
Reading, PA 19601
610-478-6208

Blair County (24)
Blair County Courthouse
423 Allegheny Street
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
814-693-3050

Bradford County (42)
Bradford County Courthouse
301 Main Street
Towanda, PA 18848
570-265-1707

Bucks County (7)
Bucks County Courthouse
55 East Court Street
Doylestown, PA 18901
215-348-6040

Butler County (50)
Butler County Courthouse
P.O. Box 1208
Butler, PA 16003
724-284-5200

Cambria County (47)
Cambria County Courthouse
200 South Center Street
Ebensburg, PA 15931
814-472-1552

Cameron/Elk Counties (59)
See Elk/Cameron Counties

Carbon County (56)
Carbon County Courthouse
P.O. Box 166
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
570-325-8556

Centre County (49)
Centre County Courthouse
Room 208
Bellefonte, PA 16823
814-355-6727

Chester County (15)
Chester County Courthouse
Two North High Street
West Chester, PA 19380
610-344-6170

Clarion County (18)
Clarion County Courthouse
Main Street
Clarion, PA 16214
814-226-9351

Clearfield County (46)
Clearfield County Courthouse
230 East Market Street
Clearfield, PA 16830
814-765-2641

Clinton County (25)
Clinton County Courthouse
230 East Water Street
Lock Haven, PA 17745
570-893-4016

Columbia County (26)
Columbia County Courthouse
P.O. Box 380
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
570-389-5667

Crawford County (30)
Crawford County Courthouse
903 Diamond Square
Meadville, PA 16335
814-333-7484

Cumberland County (9)
Cumberland County Courthouse
1 Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17013
717-240-6200

Dauphin County (12)
Dauphin County Courthouse
Front & Market Streets
Harrisburg, PA 17101
717-780-6620

Delaware County (32)
Delaware County Courthouse
Media, PA 19063
610-891-4844

Elk/Cameron Counties (59)
Elk County Courthouse
P.O. Box 416
Ridgway, PA 15853
814-776-6144

Erie County (6)
Erie County Courthouse
140 West Sixth Street Room 201
Erie, PA 16501-1030
814-451-6295

Fayette County (14)
Fayette County Courthouse
61 East Main Street
Uniontown, PA 15401
724-430-1230

Forest/Warren Counties (37)
See Warren/Forest Counties

Franklin/Fulton Counties (39)
Franklin County Courthouse
157 Lincoln Way East
Chambersburg, PA 17201
717-261-3848

Greene County (13)
Greene County Courthouse
Waynesburg, PA 15370
724-852-5237

Huntingdon County (20)
Huntingdon County Courthouse
223 Penn Street
Huntingdon, PA 16652
814-643-5078

Indiana County (40)
Indiana County Courthouse
Fourth Floor
825 Philadelphia Street
Indiana, PA 15701
724-465-3955

Jefferson County (54)
Jefferson County Courthouse
200 Main Street
Brookville, PA 15825
814-849-1631

Juniata/Perry Counties (41)
See Perry/Juniata Counties

Lackawanna County (45)
Lackawanna County Courthouse
200 North Washington Avenue
Scranton, PA 18503
570-963-6773

Lancaster County (2)
Lancaster County Courthouse
50 North Duke Street
P.O. Box 83480
Lancaster, PA 17608-3480
717-299-8041

Lawrence County (53)
Lawrence County Government Center
New Castle, PA 16101
724-656-1930

Lebanon County (52)
Lebanon County Courthouse
400 South Eighth Street
Room 308
Lebanon, PA 17042
717-274-2801, Ext. 2350

Lehigh County (31)
Lehigh County Courthouse
455 West Hamilton Street
Allentown, PA 18105-1548
610-782-3014

Luzerne County (11)
Luzerne County Courthouse
200 North River Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
570-825-1595

Lycoming County (29)
Lycoming County Courthouse
48 West Third Street
Williamsport, PA 17701
570-327-2330

McKean County (48)
McKean County Courthouse
500 West Main Street
Smethport, PA 16749
814-887-3302

Mercer County (35)
Mercer County Courthouse
103 North Diamond Street
Mercer, PA 16137
412-662-3800

Mifflin County (58)
Mifflin County Courthouse
20 North Wayne Street
Lewistown, PA 17044
717-248-4613

Monroe County (43)
Monroe County Courthouse
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
570-517-3649

Montgomery County (38)
Montgomery County Courthouse
P.O. Box 311
Norristown, PA 19404
610-278-3229

Montour County (26)
Columbia County Courthouse
P.O. Box 380
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
570-389-5679

Northampton County (3)
Northampton County Government Center
669 Washington Street
Easton, PA 18042
610-559-6701

Northumberland County (8)
Northumberland County Courthouse
201 Market Street
Sunbury, PA 17801
570-988-4167

Perry/Juniata Counties (41)
Perry County Courthouse
P.O. Box 668
New Bloomfield, PA 17068
717-582-5143

Philadelphia County (1)
336 City Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215 686-2547

Pike County (60)
Pike County Courthouse
410 Broad Street
Milford, PA 18337
570-296-3556

Potter County (55)
Potter County Courthouse
Room 30
Coudersport, PA 16915
814-274-9720

Schuylkill County (21)
Schuylkill County Courthouse
401 North Second Street
Pottsville, PA 17901 570-628-1333 Snyder/Union Counties (17)
Snyder County Courthouse
P.O. Box 217
Middleburg, PA 17842
570-837-4359

Somerset County (16)
111 East Union Street
Suite 212
Somerset, PA 15501
814-445-1473

Sullivan/Wyoming Counties (44)
See Wyoming/Sullivan Counties

Susquehanna County (34)
Susquehanna County Courthouse
P.O. Box 218
Montrose, PA 18801
570-278-4600

Tioga County (4)
Tioga County Courthouse118 Main Street
Wellsboro, PA 16901
570-724-9380

Union/Snyder Counties (17)
See Snyder/Union Counties

Venango County (28)
Venango County Courthouse
Liberty Street
Franklin, PA 16323
814-432-9606

Warren/Forest Counties (37)
Warren County Courthouse
204 Fourth Avenue
Warren, PA 16365
814-728-3530

Washington County (27)
Washington County Courthouse
1 South Main Street, Suite 2004
Washington, PA 15301
724-228-6797

Wayne County (22)
Wayne County Courthouse
925 Court Street
Honesdale, PA 18431
570-253-0101

Westmoreland County (10)
Westmoreland County Courthouse
Main Street
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-830-3828

Wyoming/Sullivan Counties (44)
Wyoming County Courthouse
One Courthouse Square
Tunkhannock, PA 18657
570-836-3151

York County (19)
York County Courthouse
28 East Market Street
York, PA 17401
717-771-9234

AttachmentSize
PA Prison Resource Guide 2007 Final.doc529.5 KB


Prisoners at SCI Forest are under attack!
Submitted by Anonymous on July 6, 2010 - 9:54pm.
Tags:

**********************************************************************
Human Rights Coalition Action Alert- June 7, 2010
Prisoners in SCI-Forest's Restricted Housing Unit are being assaulted, threatened and denied food, & their legal paperwork and personal possessions are being destroyed by vengeful, racist guards.

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Call today to demand that DOC officials put an immediate stop to the campaign of harassment and abuse being led by Lt. Burkhart against prisoners at Forest!

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