Antoine Reed G07390
[Out of Date Facility]
CA

February 21, 2019

Dear NLG representative,

This response is regarding your Jailhouse
Lawyer Initiative article contained in your NLG
Guild Notes publication, Volume 43, No.4, Winter
2018, p. 19.

I was sentenced to a life term and have en-
gaged, at least to some degree, in jailhouse law-
yering since 1992. I was pro se during habeas
corpus filings up until finally acquiring an evidenti
ary hearing, an attorney, and a full reversal (Reed v.
Roe (C.A. 9, Cal., 1996) 100 F3d964). Unfortun
ately, I was found guilty of some charges on re-
trial.

Since then, I've served as the law librarian, at
Lancaster prison for several years and have as
sisted numerous inmates and prepared numerous
motions, writes, and applications over the years.

I'd like to share some experiences and ideas:
1. It is my belief that the single - most burdensome
impediment to assisting other prisoners is , hands -
down, the propaganda and rumors surrounding
new laws. The cause of the misinformation stems
from a variety of things - Some have relied on

1

family and friends with good intentions, some
have mistaken proposals for actual enactments,
some have confused new law regarding federal stat-
utes with law regarding state statutes , and much
has to do with some prisoners simply doing violence
to the English language and California legalese (as well as federal legalese).

Suggestions - Of course there is the need to
be cost-effective. With this in mind, I'm suggest-
ing that you designate a small group of jailhouse
lawyers ( ie : 1 or 2 of each race ; black , white ,
spanish & other ) to be the recipients of new law
updates and explanations ). Each designee could be
required to send NLG monthly sheets, to be signed
by at least 20 other prisoners, listing names and
CDC numbers that have had information shared with
them . Of course , such a system may require other ad-
justments, but I'd be willing to facilitate the pro-
gram here at . I'd be willing to
incorporate other jailhouse lawyers or whatever else
is needed, for this Black population.


I believe that , if this method is used , NLG can
share manuals , guidelines , updates , law reviews , tem -
plates, proposals, enactments, and local state infor-
mation ( if feasible ) . This would put the onus on us
prisoners to work out a means to provide copies
for circulation as needed, and would reduce NLG
costs. A designer's failure to report ( via sending NLG
completed monthly forms) for, say, 2 or 3 consecutive
months, could be deemed a relinquishment of position

2

and a new facilitator/ volunteer, for that particular race
category, may be sought in a democratic fashion
with the assistance of remaining volunteers.


2. Of course the abovementioned suggestion would re-
Quire individual state subtexts by NLG. I'm not
certain of What additional personnel, if any, this would
require, or whether NLG would only be willing to ad -
dress individual groups of states (ie California, Ne-
vada etc. in regards to 9th Cir. news ).

In any event , this is just a suggestion . Of course
I, and many others, appreciate all that you've done,
on behalf of us prisoners up unto this point , and
I have no complaints.

Thank you for all that you've done and all that
you will do in the future .


Sincerely,
[Signature]
Antoine Reed


3

Antoine Reed G07390
[Out of Date Address]
CA

October 4,2019

Dear Jhody,

Please excuse me for taking so long to reply to your last
July 17, 2019 missive. Trust me, your purpose and importance
is not overlooked and I appreciate you and what you stand for
immensely.

Although I know longer work as a law library clerk, I com-
pleted one of the forms. I was a former law library clerk from
2013-2017 at LAC prison in Lancaster, CA, so I have something
to offer on your points of interest. I am also still holding
the enviable position of "Jailhouse Lawyer."

Either way, I also had one of the law library clerks, here
at [Out of date facility] prison, to fill out the other form you sent. Hope-
fully the two sets of forms will be of assistance.

Jhody, I may not be fully apprised of all that you wish to
accomplish in the criminal justice arena. I don't want to leave
any stones unturned, so let me give you a brief synopsis of my
criminal justice goals, just in case I may strike another chord of yours:

Of course I'm highly interested and intrigued regarding your
prison law library endeavors and I will assist in any way I can.
Your concerns are on-point and the assistance is much needed.

A secondary point, of mine, may or may not strike your in-
terest. I'm just putting it out there. Lately, I've been ac-
tive in involving myself with sentencing reform matters and
have actually put together a legislative proposal that seeks
to eliminate indeterminate sentencing laws. I'll save the
elaboration pending your response. This may not be of interest
to you; I'm just throwing it out there just in case. Again, as
it relates to our correspondence, my interest in sentencing
reform is secondary.

On that note, I'll bring this letter to an end. By the way,
how's your law school/bar exam goal coming? I'm praying for
your success!

Looking forward to your reply. And thanks for thinking
about our situations in here. Your concerns are highly rel-
evant and people like you are highly needed.

Sincerely,
[Signature]
Antoine D. Reed

Antoine Reed G07390
Ironwood State Prison-A3-110 L
P.O. Box 2199
Blythe, CA 92226


January 1, 2023
Dear Tyler Walton Esq. ,


First and foremost, thanks for your commitment to designing a
space for dialogue regarding sentencing and prison reform, as
well as for legal enlightenment for incarcerated individuals.
On this note, I'll add that I have been entertained by numer-
ous organizations that I will not mention by name. Certainly,
they all serve a purpose and are appreciated. On the other
hand, many times, I have experiential insight on a lot of the
issues involved in their outreach plan. Yet, in most instances,
the general call is for incarcerated individuals to get on
board with the proposals being pushed, to get family and
loved ones signed up as members, and to write assemblypersons
and senators in support of a proposal as written. Whether this
is right, wrong, or indifferent is not a debate I choose to en-
gage in. Moreso, it is a matter of my personal interests and
passions. First of all, I'm keenly aware of the fact that I may
not be the sharpest tack in the kitchen drawer. However, I am
also astutely aware of the fact that I put my all into my re-
search on issues of interest, I speak with other incarcerated
individuals who voice their opinions on these issues of inter-
est, I have experienced many of the causes and effects associ-
ated with incarceration from the perspective of the lifestyles
of those raised up in the mean streets of Southcentral Los
Angeles ... and I have informed opinions regarding proposed rem-
edies. To this end, I'll say that my aim and passion are to ac-
tively contribute and participate in the dialogues and activi-
ties that will allow me opportunities to be heard and consid-
ered in a way where synergy can thrive and change can be real-
ized in the areas of prison and sentencing reform. So, to that
extent, I say all that to say, I believe I may have found this
hub I seem to be searching for in the Jailhouse Lawyer Initi-
ative organization and I will be attempting to be more in-
volved.


Next, I'd like to become involved in your new pen pal program,
"where law students and jailhouse lawyers can connect as fel-
low sojourners." To this I will add that, yes, I would relish
the opportunity to correspond with others who are familiar with
California law, to allow for an exchange on California senten-
cing and prison reform laws and proposals (which I am most fa-
miliar with), however, I in no way want to be limited. I have
knowledge of federal laws and understand that issues of sen-
tencing, prison reform, and humanity crosses all boundaries.


Finally, please note that I've had a Change of Address and would

like for my contact information to be updated.


Thanks for your worthy commitment and insight.


[Signature]