{"id":355722,"date":"2016-04-04T10:42:00","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/civilrights\/other-constitutional-rights\/prisoner-rights-resources.html"},"modified":"2023-09-21T23:14:31","modified_gmt":"2023-09-22T04:14:31","slug":"prisoner-rights-resources","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/civilrights\/other-constitutional-rights\/prisoner-rights-resources.html","title":{"rendered":"Prisoner Rights &#038; Resources"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\">\n        <h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Prisoner Rights &amp; Resources<\/h1>\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/lark-lewis-j-d\/\">Lark Lewis, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/aviana-cooper-esq\/\">Aviana Cooper, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last reviewed\n        <time>\n                            September 21, 2023\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n<p>Prisoners have fundamental rights under the U.S. Constitution.<\/p>\r\n<p>Their First Amendment rights include:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Free speech<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/amendment1\/first-amendment-freedom-of-association.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Association rights<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li>Right to practice their religion<\/li>\r\n<li>Freedom from discrimination<\/li>\r\n<li>Right to appropriate medical and mental health care<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>The Eighth Amendment also protects prisoners. The Eighth Amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Inmate Right To Due Process<\/h2>\r\n<p>Another right afforded to inmates is the right to due process. This includes the rights to administrative appeals and to access the parole process.<\/p>\r\n<p>Access to the courts is another protected right. This right is often satisfied by prison law libraries. Finally, a writ of habeas corpus protects against unlawful and indefinite imprisonment.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Department of Justice&#8217;s Bureau of Prisons<\/h2>\r\n<p>The Department of Justice&#8217;s Bureau of Prisons is the federal bureau responsible for the custody and care of federal inmates. Inmates have the right to raise complaints to prison officials about prison conditions. Following grievance procedures achieves this.<\/p>\r\n<p>Sometimes, complaints become lawsuits that the Supreme Court hears. The Supreme Court is the country&#8217;s highest court. However, the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-rights\/prison-litigation-reform-act.html\">Prison Litigation Reform Act<\/a>&nbsp;(PLRA) limits prisoners&#8217; access to federal courts.<\/p>\r\n<p>Below are links to various national resources. These resources relate to the litigation process and the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/civilrights\/other-constitutional-rights\/prisoners-rights.html\">rights of those incarcerated.<\/a>&nbsp;There are also resources about capital punishment and the death penalty.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Representation and Litigation<\/h2>\r\n<p>This section provides resources to pretrial detainees and criminal defendants. These resources discuss criminal representation and the litigation process:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aclu.org\/Prisons\/PrisonsMain.cfm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">American Civil Liberties Union<\/a>&nbsp;(ACLU): The only national litigation program on behalf of prisoners.<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nlada.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Legal Aid and Defender Association<\/a>: A nonprofit organization offering legal services to indigent defendants. Indigent means unable to afford the basic needs of life.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Incarceration and Prison Conditions<\/h2>\r\n<p>This section provides various resources for incarcerated individuals.<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.prisonactivist.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Prison Activist Resource Center<\/a>: A source for liberal information on prisons. Also includes information on the criminal prosecution system.<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/civilrights\/other-constitutional-rights\/rights-of-inmates.html\">Rights of Inmates<\/a>&nbsp;(FindLaw): An overview of the constitutional rights of people who are incarcerated.<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/legalaidnyc.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Legal Aid Society of New York<\/a>: Advocating for constitutional and humane conditions for prisoners in New York City and state prisons.<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.law.cornell.edu\/topics\/prisoners_rights.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Prisoners and Prisoners&#8217; Rights<\/a>: An overview of inmates&#8217; rights and links to a menu of related resources.<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.justicedenied.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Justice Denied<\/a>: A magazine devoted to helping wrongly convicted people in the United States.<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.safetyandjustice.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Partnership for Safety and Justice<\/a>: Formerly known as the Western Prison Project. Publishes a prisoner support directory.<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/cgla.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cabrini Green Legal Aid<\/a>: Includes the Chicago Legal Advocacy for Incarcerated Mothers (CLAIM) program. It provides legal and educational services for imprisoned mothers. The Chicago-based organization aims to preserve families.<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amnesty.org\/en\/what-we-do\/detention\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Amnesty International<\/a>: An international human rights organization covering various issues. This includes the rights of prisoners and inmates.<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/topic\/retired-terms\/prisons\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Human Rights Watch<\/a>: An organization seeking to end abusive treatment of prisoners.<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/nad.org\/issues\/justice\/jails-and-prisons\/rights-deaf-inmates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Association of the Deaf &#8211; Rights of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Inmates<\/a>: An overview of rights and remedies for deaf inmates.<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/amendment8\/amendment.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Eighth Amendment (FindLaw)<\/a>: A look at the source of a prisoner&#8217;s constitutional rights.<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.prisonlegalnews.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Prison Legal News<\/a>: An independent publication. Reports, reviews, and analyzes court rulings and news about prisoner issues.<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.jewishprisonerservices.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jewish Prisoner Services International<\/a>: Provides various services for Jewish prisoners and family members.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Capital Punishment and the Death Penalty<\/h2>\r\n<p>Here, you&#8217;ll find resources discussing the death penalty and capital punishment.<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/worldcoalition.org\/membre\/national-coalition-to-abolish-death-penalty-ncadp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Coalition To Abolish the Death Penalty<\/a>: This is the only fully staffed national organization solely working to eliminate capital punishment. Capital punishment is also known as the death penalty.<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.deathpenaltyinfo.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Death Penalty Information Center<\/a>: A nonprofit organization serving the media and the public. Includes analysis and information on issues about the death penalty.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Miscellaneous Topics<\/h2>\r\n<p>This section offers information on miscellaneous topics, including crime reduction and mass incarceration.<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/ellabakercenter.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Books Not Bars<\/a>: Aims to expose and end the over-incarceration of youth.<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sentencingproject.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Sentencing Project<\/a>: A national leader in developing alternative sentencing programs. Also a leader in research and advocacy on criminal justice policy.<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.curenational.org\/index.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE)<\/a>: Nationwide grassroots organization seeking to reduce crime. Focuses on reform of the criminal justice system.<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nativeweb.org\/pages\/legal\/trapp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Native American Indian Spiritual Freedom in Prison<\/a>: Discusses cases and provides links to resources.<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hivcorrections.org\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HIV &amp; Hepatitis Education Prison Project<\/a>: Information on infectious diseases in corrections facilities. Infectious diseases are diseases caused by germs.<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/supreme.findlaw.com\/legal-commentary\/preventing-prison-rape.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Preventing Prison Rape (FindLaw)<\/a>: Addresses rape in prison facilities.<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/justdetention.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Just Detention International<\/a>: Seeks to end sexual abuse, sexual assault, and sexual harassment in detention facilities.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Talk to an Attorney About Prisoners&#8217; Rights<\/h2>\r\n<p>There are many resources available to prison inmates about their legal rights. These resources are critical.<\/p>\r\n<p>Inmates can face complicated conditions of confinement, such as segregation or discrimination. These are not legal under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Prisoners need to exhaust internal grievance processes before filing suit in federal court.<\/p>\r\n<p>Inmates may face harsh conditions such as:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Inadequate facilities<\/li>\r\n<li>Solitary confinement<\/li>\r\n<li>Potential threats of abuse based on transgender status<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>They may also face discrimination based on disabilities or be denied medical care.<\/p>\r\n<p>Are you or someone you know dealing with a similar situation in a correctional facility or federal prison? Need legal assistance or a jailhouse lawyer?<\/p>\r\n<p>You may be able to file a complaint against your state&#8217;s department of corrections. Talk to an experienced&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/civil-rights\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">civil rights attorney<\/a>&nbsp;to learn about federal laws, filing fees, and state laws.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-up\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3418)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M6 21H3C2.46957 21 1.96086 20.7893 1.58579 20.4142C1.21071 20.0391 1 19.5304 1 19V12C1 11.4696 1.21071 10.9609 1.58579 10.5858C1.96086 10.2107 2.46957 10 3 10H6M13 8V4C13 3.20435 12.6839 2.44129 12.1213 1.87868C11.5587 1.31607 10.7956 1 10 1L6 10V21H17.28C17.7623 21.0055 18.2304 20.8364 18.5979 20.524C18.9654 20.2116 19.2077 19.7769 19.28 19.3L20.66 10.3C20.7035 10.0134 20.6842 9.72068 20.6033 9.44225C20.5225 9.16382 20.3821 8.90629 20.1919 8.68751C20.0016 8.46873 19.7661 8.29393 19.5016 8.17522C19.2371 8.0565 18.9499 7.99672 18.66 8H13Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\n                              stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><\/path>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3418\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"><\/rect>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"No\"\n                value=\"no\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">No<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-down\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3423)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M16 0.999995H18.67C19.236 0.989986 19.7859 1.18813 20.2154 1.55681C20.645 1.9255 20.9242 2.43905 21 3V10C20.9242 10.5609 20.645 11.0745 20.2154 11.4432C19.7859 11.8119 19.236 12.01 18.67 12H16M9.00003 14V18C9.00003 18.7956 9.3161 19.5587 9.87871 20.1213C10.4413 20.6839 11.2044 21 12 21L16 12V0.999995H4.72003C4.2377 0.994543 3.76965 1.16359 3.40212 1.47599C3.0346 1.78839 2.79235 2.22309 2.72003 2.7L1.34003 11.7C1.29652 11.9866 1.31586 12.2793 1.39669 12.5577C1.47753 12.8362 1.61793 13.0937 1.80817 13.3125C1.99842 13.5313 2.23395 13.7061 2.49846 13.8248C2.76297 13.9435 3.05012 14.0033 3.34003 14H9.00003Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3423\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"\/>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n    <span class=\"was-this-helpful__taken-action fl-text-sm-bold\"><\/span>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-container\">\n        <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n            <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <form class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form\">\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--positive\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Easy to understand\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                        >Easy to understand<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Solved my problem\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                        >Solved my problem<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--negative\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this not helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n                        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Missing Information\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                        >Missing the information I need<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Too complicated\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                        >Too complicated \/ too many steps<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Out of date\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                        >Out of date<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__form-buttons-container\">\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--positive at-feedback-submit fl-button secondary\"\n                    type=\"submit\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Submit<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--cancel fl-button primary disabled\"\n                    type=\"reset\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Cancel<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-times-circle medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message\" role=\"status\">\n        <i class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-icon fa fa-check\"><\/i>\n        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-text\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-section-sidebar\">\n        <div class=\"fl-editors-summary\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content\">\n                    <h2>Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\">\n            \n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"fl-list-style-none\">\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Most civil rights cases need the help of an attorney\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Complex civil rights cases (such as employment discrimination, racial segregation, or discrimination based on gender) need the support of a lawyer\n\n                <\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\">\n                <p>An attorney can help you enforce your civil rights and other constitutional rights. Many offer free consultations and can offer tailored advice during your court case.<\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link fl-flex\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link\">\n                <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <p class=\"find-attorney\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/civil-rights\/#USER_GEO\/?fli=esum:FL10\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Find a local attorney<\/a><\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"email-subscription fl-mb30\">\n    <div class=\"email-subscription-header\">\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-content\">\n            <h3 class=\"fl-callout-sm fl-no-margin\">Stay Up-to-Date With How the Law Affects Your Life<\/h3>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-image fl-flex fl-items-end\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\"\n                src=\"https://www.findlaw.com/static/c/images\/images\/w_1200,c_limit,dpr_auto\/f_auto,q_auto:eco\/v1745902396\/ability-law\/wp-prod\/general-components-subscribe-module-Image-subscribeModule_1\/general-components-subscribe-module-Image-subscribeModule_1.png?_i=AA\"\n                alt=\"\"\n                loading=\"lazy\"\n            \/>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"email-subscription-content fl-flex fl-flex-wrap\">\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-content-text fl-mb25\">\n            <h4 class=\"fl-no-margin\">Enter your email address to subscribe<\/h4>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <form class=\"email-subscription-content-form\">\n            <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"distributionList\" value=\"latl\" \/>\n            <label for=\"email-subscription-content-form-group-input\" class=\"fl-text-sm-bold\">Email (Required)<\/label>\n            <div class=\"email-subscription-content-form-group\">\n                <input id=\"email-subscription-content-form-group-input\" name=\"email\" autocomplete=\"email\"\/>\n                <button type=\"submit\" aria-label=\"Submit\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n            <p class=\"email-subscription-content-form-success subscribe-success-message fl-text-sm-bold\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"status\">Thank you for subscribing!<\/p>\n            <p class=\"email-subscription-content-form-error subscribe-error-message fl-text-sm-bold\" role=\"alert\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/p>\n\n            <div id=\"email-subscription-content-form-recaptcha\" class=\"email-subscription-content-form-recaptcha subscribe-recaptcha\"\n                data-sitekey=\"0x4AAAAAAABGBEkK9kEeKxO-\"><\/div>\n        <\/form>\n\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-content-footer fl-text-sm\">\n            <p><a href=\"https:\/\/newsletters.findlaw.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn more about FindLaw\u2019s newsletters<\/a>, including our terms of use and privacy policy.<\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"general-list\">\n    <h3>Helpful Links<\/h3>\n    <ul class=\"fl-list fl-no-margin\">\n                                    <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/civilrights\/civil-rights-overview.html\">\n                        Civil Rights Law Overview\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/civilrights\/discrimination.html\">\n                        Know Your Civil Rights and Legal Protections\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/civilrights\/enforcing-your-civil-rights\/filing-civil-rights-claims.html\">\n                        Filing Civil Rights Claims\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                        <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"popularDirectory\">\n        <div class=\"general-popular-directory \">\n            <div class=\"general-popular-directory-title\">\n                <h3>Attorney Directory<\/h3>\n            <\/div>\n            <ul>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/civil-rights\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Civil Rights Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/discrimination\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Discrimination Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/sexual-harassment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sexual Harassment Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/constitutional-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Constitutional Law Attorneys<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/same-sex\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Same Sex Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/employment-law-employee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Employment Law Attorneys<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/education-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Education Law Attorneys<\/a><\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This FindLaw article covers prisoner rights and links to various national resources related to corrections and the rights of the incarcerated.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41135,"featured_media":0,"parent":355716,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"app\/Http\/Controllers\/Templates\/ArticleWithBreadcrumbsController.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":true,"_modified_date":"","_autodraft_ids":[],"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"_sb_is_suggestion_mode":false,"_sb_show_suggestion_boards":false,"_sb_show_comment_boards":false,"_sb_suggestion_history":"","_sb_update_block_changes":"","_is_real_time_mode":false,"_realtime_collaborators":"","footnotes":"","cf_checklist_status":[]},"categories":[2736],"tags":[],"state_laws_tags":[],"flmsa":[],"class_list":["post-355722","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-civilrights"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/355722","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41135"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=355722"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/355722\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/355716"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=355722"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=355722"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=355722"},{"taxonomy":"state_laws_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/state_laws_tags?post=355722"},{"taxonomy":"flmsa","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/flmsa?post=355722"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}