A Litigation Manual for Inmates

The Columbia Human Rights Law Review has published a very informative handbook of legal rights and procedures for people in prison. It is called the Jailhouse Lawyer's Manual, and some of its chapters include:

• Introduction: how to use the Jailhouse Lawyer's Manual

• Definitions of words used in the Jailhouse Lawyer's Manual

• Introduction to legal research

• Your right to learn the law and go to court

• How to find a lawyer

• Choosing a court and a lawsuit: an overview of the options

• An introduction to legal documents

• Freedom of information

• Obtaining information to prepare your case: the process of discovery

• Appealing your conviction or sentence

• Applying for re-sentencing for drug offenses

• Using post-conviction DNA testing to attack your conviction or sentence

• Appealing your conviction based on ineffective assistance of counsel

• Federal habeas corpus

• State habeas corpus: Florida, New York, and Texas

• The Prison Litigation Reform Act

• Inmate grievance procedures

• Using 42 U.S.C. 1983 and 28 U.S.C. 1331 to obtain relief from violations of federal law

• The state's duty to protect you and your property: tort actions

• Your rights at prison disciplinary hearings

• Your right to communicate with the outside world

• Your right to adequate medical care

• Your right to be free from assault by prison guards and other prisoners

• Your right to be free from illegal body searches

• Infectious diseases in prisons (AIDS, hepatitis, tuberculosis, and MRSA)

• Religious freedom in prison

• Rights of prisoners with disabilities

• Special issues for prisoners with mental illness

• Special information for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender prisoners

• Security classification and gang validation

• Special considerations for sex offenders

• Rights of incarcerated parents

• Temporary release programs

• Getting out early: conditional and early release

• Parole

• Addresses of federal courts

• Directory of legal and social services for prisoners

• Immigrations issues