A Jailhouse Lawyers’ Manual, Seventh Edition


Legal Disclaimer
A Jailhouse Lawyer's Manual is written and updated by members of the Columbia Human
 Rights Law Review. The law prohibits us from providing any legal advice to prisoners.
 The information is not intended as legal advice or representation nor should you consider
 it as such. Additionally, your use of the JLM should not be construed as creating an
attorney-client relationship with the JLM staff or anyone at  Columbia Law School . We
have attempted to provide information that is up-to-date and useful. However, because
the law changes frequently, we cannot guarantee that this information is current or correct.



   
Chapter 1 – Introduction - How to Use the JLM
Chapter 2 - Introduction to Legal Research
Chapter 3 - Your Right to Learn the Law and Go to Court
Chapter 4 – How to Find A Lawyer 
Chapter 5 – Choosing a Court & Lawsuit:  An Overview of the Alternatives 
Chapter 6 – An Introduction to Legal Documents 
Chapter 7 –  Freedom of Information 
Chapter 8 –  Obtaining Information to Prepare Your Case:  The Process of Discovery 
Chapter 9 –  Appealing Your Conviction or Sentence 
Chapter 10 – Applying for Re-Sentencing for Drug Offenses 
Chapter 11 – Using Post-Conviction DNA Testing to Attack Your Conviction or Sentence
Chapter 12 –  Federal Habeas Corpus
Chapter 13 -  The Prison Litigation Reform Act
Chapter 14 –  Inmate Grievance Procedures
Chapter 15 -  Using 42 U.S.C. 1983 and 28 U.S.C. 1331 to Obtain Relief From Violations of Federal Law
Chapter 16 –  The State’s Duty to Protect You and Your Property:  Tort Actions
Chapter 17 –  Your Rights at Prison Disciplinary Proceedings 
Chapter 18 –  Your Right to Communicate With the Outside World
Chapter 19 –  Using Article 440 of the New York Criminal Procedural Law to Attack Your Unfair Conviction or Illegal Sentence
Chapter 20 - New York Habeas Corpus - New York, Florida and Texas
Chapter 21 –  How to Challenge Administrative Decisions Using Article 78 of the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules 
Chapter 22 -  Your Right to Adequate Medical Care
Chapter 23 –  Your Right to be Free from Assault by Prison Guards and Other Prisoners
Chapter 24 -  Your Right to Be Free From Assault and Illegal Searches 
Chapter 25 Infectious Diseases (AIDS, Hepatitis, and Tuberculosis in Prison)
Chapter 26 –  Religious Freedom in Prison
Chapter 27 –  Rights of Prisoners with Disabilities
Chapter 28 –  Special Issues for Prisoners with Mental Illness
Chapter 29 –  Special Information for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Prisoners 
Chapter 30 –  Security Classification & Gang Validation
Chapter 31 - Special Considerations for Sex Offenders 
Chapter 32 –  Rights of Incarcerated Parents 
Chapter 33 –  Temporary Release Programs 
Chapter 34 –  Getting Out Early:  Conditional & Early Release
Chapter 35 – Parole
Immigration and Consular Access Supplement
Prison Labor 
Rights Upon Release
Texas Death Penalty Conviction and Appeals Process
Rights of Juveniles in Prison 
Rights of Pretrial Detainees
Prison Marriage
Appealing Your Sentence Based on Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
Plea Bargaining
Appendix I 
Appendix II 
Appendix III 
Appendix IV 
Appendix V