A Jailhouse Lawyer's Manual - Columbia Law School

App. IV DIRECTORY OF LEGAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES FOR PRISONERS 10433. Organizations That Do Not Specifically Serve PrisonersThe following is a list of legal organizations that have previously represented prisoners or groups ofprisoners in cases involving prison conditions, parole, sentencing, etc. Note that the primary function ofthese organizations is not to provide legal services to prisoners.American Civil Liberties Union (“ACLU”)125 Broad Street, 18th FloorNew York, NY 10004(212) 549-2500www.aclu.orgThe ACLU’s mission is to preserve all of theprotections and guarantees of the United StatesConstitution.Center for Constitutional Rights (“CCR”)666 Broadway, 7th FloorNew York, NY 10012(212) 614-6464www.ccrjustice.orgCCR is a non-profit legal and educationalorganization committed to the creative use oflaw as a positive force for social change.Children’s Defense FundJuvenile Justice Division25 East Street NWWashington, D.C. 20001(202) 628-8787www.childrensdefense.orgThe Children’s Defense Fund providesassistance to women prisoners with legalproblems involving custody of their children.Community Law Offices (“CLO”) ofThe Legal Aid SocietyVolunteer Division230 E. 106th StreetNew York, NY 10029(212) 426-3000www.legal-aid.orgProvides free legal services to residents ofCentral and East Harlem who meet its lowincome requirements. CLO handles civilmatters; however, it has not had extensivedealings with the Parole Board, CorrectionsDepartment, disciplinary hearings, orprisoners’ rights litigation.Jewish Board of Family and Children’sServices (“JBFCS”)120 W. 57th StreetNew York, NY 10019(212) 582-9100; Toll Free: (888) 523-2769E-mail: admin@jbfcs.orgwww.jbfcs.orgThis organization is a nonprofit mental healthand social services agency providing a range ofcommunity-based programs, residentialfacilities, and day-treatment centers. JBFCSmakes referrals to legal services through itsfamily violence prevention program, andprovides therapy to adolescents who have beeninvolved with the criminal justice systemthrough its juvenile justice program.Legal Action Center (“LAC”)225 Varick StreetNew York, NY 10014(212) 243-1313; Toll Free: (800) 223-4044www.lac.orgThe Legal Action Center is a public interest lawfirm that generally handles law reformlitigation. LAC has a program that focuses onchallenging discrimination againstex-offenders, especially in employment. It hasalso handled challenged guard brutality at aNew York City correctional institution.National Employment Law Project75 Maiden Lane, Suite 601New York, NY 10038(212) 285-3025www.nelp.orgHandles employment discrimination cases.Ex-offenders with employment-relatedproblems and prisoners with work-relatedproblems should contact this organization.National Lawyers Guild (“NLG”) NationalOffice132 Nassau Street, Suite 922New York, NY 10038(212) 679-5100www.nlg.orgThe NLG seeks to unite the lawyers, lawstudents, legal workers and jailhouse lawyersof America in an organization that acts as aneffective political and social force in the serviceof the people to promote human rights.