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A digital home to introduce you to jailhouse lawyers, incarcerated individuals who teach themselves the law to advocate for themselves and the rights of their peers.
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Luci Harrell, activist, artist, writer, and likely the first person to have gotten her law degree while incarcerated in Georgia, shared with other jailhouse lawyers during the March 2023 Feminist Circle about Alejandra Delamaria, a jailhouse lawyer who mentored her and demonstrated staunch resistance with everything she did. Whether she fought for others incarcerated or whether she constructed brilliant arguments that ended up actually freeing her, she freed others.
Jailhouse lawyer Derrick Hamilton was wrongfully convicted of murder, and spent more than two decades trying to prove his innocence.New Yorker article
Joseph DoleTwo hands holding pencils, unshackling each other’s handcuffs. Joseph R. Dole is an award-winning author and artist with a BA in critical legal studies from NEIU/UWW. He is one of the co-founders and policy director of Parole Illinois, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization working to abolish death-by-incarceration in Illinois, and has been published in the Northwestern’s Journal of Law and Social Policy; Journal of Ethical Urban Living; Justice, Power and Resistance; and Truthout, among many others.
Leo CardezA parrot is inside a cage looking to the right. Leo Cardez is an award-winning essayist and playwright. He is the two-time winner of the PEN America Prison Writing Contest and is Pushcart Prize-nominated.
During my 30-years, I discovered how to read, understand and practice our Criminal Procedure Law (CPL). I try writing writs, legal motions, and Article 78s for myself and others. I’m interested in learning how to approach the legal matters professionally though; because right now, I’m being railroaded by the parole office in Peekskill. Why? Partly, because of my PO who is discouraging the landlords in my County from renting to me due to my background case..Latif, New York
A person with a graduation hat on is seen outside the prison walls. The words “Prison is a Pandemic,” “Decarceration,” and “People are Potential” outline the border of the image. Joseph R. Dole is an award-winning author and artist with a BA in critical legal studies from NEIU/UWW. He is one of the co-founders and policy director of Parole Illinois, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization working to abolish death-by-incarceration in Illinois, and has been published in the Northwestern’s Journal of Law and Social Policy; Journal of Ethical Urban Living; Justice, Power and Resistance; and Truthout, among many others.joseph dole
Swirling colors of green, purple, blue, pink, yellow, and orange. Brian Fuller is a writer, artist and activist. He has written and published several poems, short stories, and personal essays. He brings a rawness and level of detail, honesty and humor to his writing that will surely move its readers.brian fuller
Every day around the country, thousands of incarcerated individuals
- Teach themselves the law.
- Fight for justice for themselves and their peers.
- Serve as lawyers on the inside.
- Face great personal risk and restrictions.
we are 
jailhouse lawyers
our
voices
Archive Get to know jailhouse lawyers and their loved ones. Through the words, wisdom, and experiences of incarcerated individuals who teach themselves the law to advocate for themselves and the rights of their peers. 1000s of letters. Videos. Archivals.
discover our voices
(Scott Zirus, Texas)I am now sharing my story with you in hopes that perhaps, just for a brief moment in time, you can see life through my weary eyes and understand my struggle, my anguish, and also the reason why I continue to hold onto hope despite being trapped within a severely flawed and biased judicial system; allowing that hope to forever be my b eacon light towards mental freedom as I anxiously await the day when that becomes my physical freedom as well.
we are
About Jhody Polk, a former jailhouse lawyer from Florida, partnered with NYU School of Law’s Bernstein Institute for Human Rights to create the Jailhouse Lawyer Initiative (JLI), empowering jailhouse lawyers to end mass incarceration.
discover JLI
(Scott Zirus, Texas)I am confident that JLI will continue to grow into a movement that fundamentally transforms how the law is used in regards to incarcerated peoples rights.
OUR ROOTS
Timeline The history of jailhouse lawyers dates back to the 18th century. It is a history of hope, resilience, and resistance, filled with litigation, organizing, and characters. Explore and share. Scroll to go from start to finish or click on the dates to learn more about the events.
discover OUR roots
(Xinachtli, Texas)Please, do not shed a tear for me, nor for the oppressed, but help me, help them free their lost souls, dehumanized by these neocolonial structures of institutional colonization with roots in white supremacy, racialized capitalism, and plantation slavery of the US.
us too gender and justice on the inside
discover feminist voices
Qiana JohnsonI came home with fire and passion to help Black women who are formerly incarcerated
Always continuously share the process of transforming the lawJhody Polk
I love being a bridge between institution and community
I love the intent we have for the abolition movement
I hope to humanize institutions, People are the law
People make up organizations and instiutions
A great deal of the work we do is new, different, and setting precedence. I always tell people that I build bridges, I don't burn them. I either value the opportunities that I'm given and/or create the opportunities and give them value.Kenya Hill
I was hoping that just being able to share a little bit of me and what I do and where I come from, we kind of open up and build a link to you and to you and to you, right?[Speaking to women in the circle]And so what I offer is me, I offer myself to this space to this community so that we can help each other grow and build… I offer myself to this space and to all of you for that same purpose, to help build and empower each other to do this work, and to reach back inside and help and bring others with us.Anisah Sabur
We are on the move. will you join us?
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