The Prisoner Advocacy Network We are a volunteer network of attorneys, legal workers, law student, activists, and family members collaborating with people in solitary confinement and similar conditions of administrative segregation, adjustment centers and gender-based segregation in California prisons on advocating for their humanity and rights. Volunteers will advocate for individual prisoners and their loved ones experiencing discrimination, retaliation or a lack of upholding of their rights as well as gather evidence and documentation of the conditions of torture and violations of human rights prisoners in the SHU and like-conditions face. Who We Support Our focus is narrow and specific – supporting people in California’s solitary confinement and similar conditions of isolation such as security housing units (SHUs), administrative segregation, and gender-based segregation. We prioritize advocating for jailhouse lawyers and those engaged in political activity. Responsibilities As an outside volunteer you are agreeing to a commitment of one year until an issue is resolved, whichever is shorter. More is encouraged. You will work with one individual inside prison, or a family member to advocate for better conditions. This may take the form of gathering documentation and evidence, writing advocacy letters or calling prison officials, elected officials, and other regulators on behalf of the incarcerated person or family member. For more information, please visit our page. First Name * Last Name * Email * Phone Number * Do you have an organizational affiliation? Street Address * City * State/Province * Zip Code * What relevant experience do you offer? What languages do you speak? English Spanish Other If "Other" specify Have you conducted a legal visit to a California prison in the last 5 years? Yes, as an attorney Yes, as a non-attorney No Bar number, and state, if applicable For attorneys: Do you carry malpractice insurance? Yes No Have you ever represented a person in a California prison? Yes, as an attorney Yes, as a non-attorney No If "yes," how many? Do you have any special topics of interest? (Check all that apply.) Physical Abuse Mental abuse Sexual abuse Retaliation for political activity Limitations of visitation or communication Basic needs, including healthcare Other If "Other" specify Do you have a particular interest in working with a person of a certain group? Do you have an active legal clearance at any prison? Yes No Which of the following are you willing to do: (Check all that apply.) write letters to prisoners write letters on behalf of prisoners mail copies of legal materials request medical and custody records on behalf of the prisoner act as a sounding-board for prisoners filing complaints Make phone calls to prisons (officials) Accept collect calls from prisoners file cases or paperwork for cases (but not representing the person) Publicize: work with media or online platforms assist with internal CDCR forms (22, 602, 1824 etc) Buy books send envelopes, paper, stamps and other supplies conduct medical research assist with parole/re-entry plans (Attorneys) Use legal mail (Attorneys) Represent a prisoners in a civil, criminal, or habeas case Other If "Other" specify Can you agree to commit to one year or completing one advocacy round and inform the volunteer coordinator if you need help, or cannot continue? * Yes, sign me up! No, I would like to talk with someone first Submit
