Jailhouse Lawyer's Handbook - Sentencing and Justice Reform ...

JAILHOUSE LAWYER’S HANDBOOK
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................... 1
A. WHAT IS THIS HANDBOOK ............................................................................................................ 1
B. HOW TO USE THIS HANDBOOK.....................................................................................................1
C. WHO CAN USE THIS HANDBOOK.................................................................................................. 2
1. Prisoners in City or County Jail can use this Handbook.................................................................. 2
2. Prisoners in Federal Prison can use this Handbook ........................................................................ 2
3. Prisoners in Private Prison can use this Handbook ......................................................................... 3
4. Prisoners in Every State can use this Handbook .............................................................................. 3
5. Keeping Up to Date and Learning More Details.............................................................................. 4
D. WHY TO TRY AND GET A LAWYER ............................................................................................. 4
E. MONITORING YOUR LAWYER AND CASE .................................................................................. 5
F. A SHORT HISTORY OF SECTION 1983 AND THE STRUGGLES FOR PRISONERS RIGHTS .. 5
G. THE USES AND LIMITS OF LEGAL ACTIONS.............................................................................. 6
CHAPTER TWO: PLANNING YOUR SECTION 1983 SUIT ............................................................... 8
A. YOU CAN SUE ABOUT CERTAIN VIOLATIONS OF YOUR FEDERAL RIGHTS BY STATE
EMPLOYEES............................................................................................................................................ 8
1. Violations of Your Federal Rights: Conditions and Treatment in Prison......................................... 8
2. “Under Color of State Law”............................................................................................................. 9
B. THE PRISON LITIGATION REFORM ACT (PLRA)........................................................................ 9
C. YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE U.S. CONSTITUTION .................................................................... 10
1. Your Right to Freedom of Speech & Expression in Prison............................................................. 11
(a) Access to Reading Materials ......................................................................................................... 12
(b) Free Expression of Political Beliefs.............................................................................................. 13
(c) Limits on Censorship of Mail ........................................................................................................ 14
(d) Your Right to Telephone Access.................................................................................................... 15
2. Your Right to Freedom of Religious Activity ..................................................................................15
3. Protection from Racial Discrimination........................................................................................... 18
4. Protection from Sexual Discrimination .......................................................................................... 18
5. Due Process Rights Regarding Punishment, Administrative Transfers, and Segregation.............. 20
6. Fourth Amendment Limits on Prison Searches and Seizures.......................................................... 22
7. Eighth Amendment Protection from Physical Brutality.................................................................. 23
8. Your Right to Decent Conditions in Prison..................................................................................... 23
9. Your Right to Medical Care............................................................................................................ 25
10. The Rights of Pretrial Detainees................................................................................................... 27
D. INJUNCTIONS .................................................................................................................................. 28
1. When You Can Get an Injunction ................................................................................................... 29
2. Preliminary Injunctions .................................................................................................................. 29
3. Termination of an Injunction .......................................................................................................... 30
E. MONEY DAMAGES ......................................................................................................................... 30
F. WHOM YOU CAN SUE .................................................................................................................... 32
1. Whom You Can Get An Injunction Against..................................................................................... 32
2. Whom You Can Get Money Damages From ................................................................................... 33
3. What Happens to Your Money Damages ........................................................................................ 33
G. SETTLEMENTS ................................................................................................................................ 34
H. CLASS ACTIONS.............................................................................................................................. 34
CHAPTER THREE: HOW TO START YOUR LAWSUIT.................................................................. 36
A. WHEN TO FILE YOUR SECTION 1983 SUIT................................................................................ 36