Inside and outside the walls
Held in custody, with every right the law still gives you
Being locked up takes away your freedom, not your right to medical care, to safety, or to be treated within the rules. When a jail or prison falls short, you or your family can ask us to look.
We hear from people inside by mail and phone, and from their families. We work through the facility's own complaint steps first, because courts often require them.
Four problems that arrive by letter or call
Each can be raised with the facility and, if needed, a court.
Medical care that never came
Pain, medicine or a serious condition ignored, delayed or denied.
Violence and unsafe housing
Attacks that staff could have stopped, or a cell that isn't safe to live in.
Punishment without a fair process
Discipline or isolation handed out with no hearing, or no reason you were told.
Mail, visits and faith
Cut-off contact with family or lawyers, or no way to practice your religion.
If you're inside, or helping someone who is
- Keep a record of dates, names and the grievances you filed.
- Get copies of your sick-call requests and the answers you received.
- Ask someone outside to write to us with the facility, the name and ID number.
- Don't send anything you wouldn't want the facility to read.
Questions about jail and prison cases
Can you get someone released?
No. Release and sentence questions need a criminal defense lawyer. We work on conditions and treatment.
Does the grievance process come first?
Often, yes. Courts commonly require it, so we start there with you and keep copies of every step.
Can my family contact you for me?
Yes, and we'll ask you to confirm by letter or call before we act. Mail from a facility may be read by staff, so be careful what you write.
Write or call, from either side
A family member can start. We'll confirm with the person inside.