I GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE the ACLU National Prison Project and the Prisoner Activist Resource Center for their generous permission to reprint listings from their manuals for this resource directory. This list of resources provides currently or formerly incarcerated women and their families with information on a variety of issues. Please consult these organizations if you have any questions about resources, programs, or services available to those involved in the correctional system.
As it is not possible to print every resource available, I strongly encourage you to consult the three organizations listed immediately below. The Websites for these organizations provide information about many more organizations and resources for female inmates.
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)—National Prison Project
733 15th Street, NW, Suite 620
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202-393-4930; Fax: 202-393-4931
Website: www.aclu.org/issues/prisons
Description: Seeks to create constitutional conditions of confinement and strengthen prisoners’ rights through class-action litigation and public education.
Prison Activist Resource Center
P.O. Box 339
Berkeley, CA 94701
Phone: 510-893-4648; Fax: 510-893-4607
Website: www.prisonactivist.org
Email: parc@prisonactivist.org
Description: Provides support for educators, activists, prisoners, and prisoners’ families. Works to build networks for action and produces materials that expose human rights violations while challenging the rapid expansion of the prison industrial complex.
Texas Woman’s University—Women in Criminal Justice
Dr. Jim Williams
Department of Sociology and Social Work
Denton, TX 76204
Website: www.twu.edu/as/wcrim/PRISN.HTM
Description: Directory of resources for inmates and their families, and of scholars and students of criminal law.
CURE (Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants)
P.O. Box 2310
Washington, DC 20013-2310
Phone: 202-789-2126; Fax: 413-845-9787
Website: www.curenational.org
Description: Organizes currently and formerly incarcerated individuals, their familes, and concerned citizens in order to work for reform of sentencing procedures and promote the use of rehabilitation programs.
California Coalition for Women Prisoners
100 McAllister St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: 415-255-7036, ext. 4; Fax: 415-552-3150
Website: http://womenprisoners.org Email: cccp@igc.org
Description: CCWP raises awareness about the cruel and inhumate conditions under which women in prison live. Advocates change and promotes leadership of women prisoners, and gives a voice to currently and formerly incarcerated women and their families.
Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM)
1612 K St., NW, Suite 1400
Washington, D.C. 20006
Phone: 202-822-6700; Fax: 202-822-6704
Website: www.famm.org
Email: famm@famm.org
Description: Promotes sentencing policy reform. Advocates sentencing procedures that result in sentences that are proportional to the crime committed.
Human Rights Watch: Prison Conditions and the Treatment of Prisoners
Website: www.hrw.org/prisons
Email: hrwnyc@hrw.org
Description: Advocacy organization. Raises awareness about prison conditions in countries all over the world. Publishes articles and statistics concerning prison conditions.
Rights for All, Amnesty International’s Campaign on the United States
Amnesty International
322 8th Avenue
New York, New York 10001
Phone: 212-807-8400; Fax: 212-463-9193
Website: www.rightsforall-usa.org
Email: admin-us@aiusa.org
Description: Prisoner rights advocate, worldwide. Monitors prison conditions and prison policy.
Stop Prisoner Rape, Inc.
6304 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 205
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Phone: 323-653-7867; Fax: 323-653-7870
Website: www.spr.org
Email: info@spr.org
Description: Seeks to end sexual violence against all inmates in all types of detention. SPR works nationally to shed light on the dangers of sexual abuse in prison and to help survivors access resources and support one another.
The Correctional HIV Consortium
San Francisco, CA
Email: chc@silcom.com
Description: Nationally oriented nonprofit organization providing programs and services to county, state, and federal prisoners, the recently released and their family members, and correctional systems on HIV/AIDS, TB, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases.
The National Gains Center for People with Co-Occuring Disorders in the Justice System
c/o Policy Research Associates
345 Delaware Avenue
Delmar, NY 12054
Phone: 1-800-311-4246; Fax: 518-439-7612
Description: Partnership between the Subtance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a federal agency, and Policy Research Associates, a private-sector research firm. The National GAINS Center conducts research, educates the public, and works to improve mental health care within the correctional system for individuals who have mental disorders.
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
1101 15th Street, NW, Suite 1212
Washington, DC 20005-5002
Phone: 202-467-5730; Fax: 202-223-0409
TDD: 202-467-4232
Email: webmaster@bazelon.org
Description: National Mental Health Law Center. Advocates for persons with mental health issues/disorders. Publishes information concerning mental health treatment, policy, and education. Provides list of resources. Cannot assist individuals.
Gay and Lesbian Prisoner Project
Bromfield Street Educational Foundation
29 Stanhope Street
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-262-6969
Description: Provides printed material and other sources of support to gay and lesbian prisoners. Prisoners receive complimentary subscriptions to Gay Community News, health information, and reading material.
Gay and Lesbian Rights Project of the ACLU
125 Broad Street, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Phone: 212-549-2690
Website: www.aclu.org/issues/gay/hmgl.html
Description: Goal of this project is equal treatment and equal dignity for lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals. Address civil rights issues of G/L/B inmates. Files impact litigation.
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
1700 Kalorama Road, NW
Washington, DC 20009-2624
Phone: 202-332-6483; TTY 202-332-6219; Fax: 202-332-0207
Website: www.ngltf.org
Description: National, progressive organization working for the civil rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people, with the vision and commitment to building a powerful political movement.
Art Behind Bars, Inc.
P.O. Box 2034 Key West, FL 33040
Phone/Fax: 305-294-7345
Website: www.artbehindbars.org
Email: artbhndbrs@aol.com
Description: Facilitates art programs for incarcerated inmates. Collects and sells inmate art for fund-raisers for charities.
4722 Baltimore Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19143
Phone: 215-727-0882, ext. 2
Website: www.booksthroughbars.org
Email: info@booksthroughbars.org
Description: Works to empower prisoners by providing them with tools for self-education. Supplies free educational and progressive political reading materials; offers particular support to those prisoners engaged in political education study groups.
Books to Prisoners
c/o Left Bank Books
92 Pike Street, Box A
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-622-0195
Website: http://bp.tao.ca
Description: Provides free books to inmates all across the USA. Requests should be made in writing. Donations are greatly appreciated (even postage stamps). Requests may take time to fill. Patience is greatly appreciated.
Prison Book Program
92 Green Street
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Phone: 617-884-5132
Description: Dedicated to promoting prisoner literacy nationwide. Provide free books to prisoners. Some publications in Spanish. Inmates may request specific titles or books on general topics.
Prison Library Project
915 West Foothill Blvd., Suite C128
Claremont, CA 91711
Website: www.inmate.com/prislibr.htm
Description: Provides books and cassette tapes to individual prisoners, study groups, prison libraries, and prison chaplains free of charge. Also publishes a resource list for inmates.
c/o Arise Bookstore
2441 Lyndale Avenue, South
Minneapolis, MN 55405
Voicemail: 952-837-1762
Email: wpbp@prisonactivist.org
Website: www.prisonactivist.org/wpbp
Description: Provides women in prison with free reading materials covering a wide range of topics from law and education (dictionaries, GED, etc.) to politics, history, and women’s health. Seeks to meet the specific needs of women in prison.
Aid to Children of Imprisoned Mothers, Inc. (AIM)
1514 Cleveland Avenue, Suite
115 East Point, GA 30344
Phone: 404-762-5433; Fax: 404-762-7664
Website: www.takingaim.org
Description: Provides emotional and financial support for imprisoned mothers, their children, and families. Programs include transportation for visits, educational assistance, counseling, after-school programs for kids, and support groups for inmates and caregivers.
Aid to Inmate Mothers (AIM, Inc.)
P.O. Box 986
Montgomery, AL 36101-0986
Phone: 334-262-2245; 1-800-679-0246
Website: www.inmatemoms.org
Email: inmatemoms@mindspring.com
Description: Assists incarcerated women and their families to maintain a relationship. Facilitates visitations and encourages participation of inmate moms in their childrens’ lives.
The Center for Children of Incarcerated Parents
P.O. Box 41-286
Phone: 626-449-8796
Website: www.e-ccip.org
Email: ccip@earthlink.net
Description: Conducts research and provides information concerning incarcerated parent-child relationships. Provides programs and therapy for incarcerated parents and their children.
Center for Community Alternatives: Crossroads: An Alternative for Women Offenders
39 West 19th Street
New York, NY 10011
Phone: 212-675-0825; Fax: 212-675-0825
Website: www.centerforcommunityalternatives.org
Description: A day drug treatment program specifically designed as an alternative for women offenders. Helps women conquer their drug addictions and acquire the economic, emotional, and social tools they need to lead law-abiding lives. Also helps women reclaim their lives and the lives of their children.
Center for Women in Transition
2647 Ohio Street, Suite 302
St. Louis, MO 63118
Phone: 314-771-5207; Fax: 314-771-0066
Website: www.geocities.com/cwitstl
Email: cwit@cwit
Description: Works with and on behalf of currently and formerly incarcerated women. Helps inmates make the transition between prison and society. Works to increase public awareness of criminal justice issues. Advocates rehabilitation instead of punishment of inmates.
Chicago Legal Advocacy to Incarcerated Mothers (CLAIM)
220 South State Street, Suite 830
Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: 312-332-5537; Fax: 312-332-2570
Website: www.c-l-a-i-m.org
Email: info@c-l-a-i-m.org
Description: Provides legal and educational services to incarcerated women and their families in an effort to preserve families.
Count the Cost, Inc.
P.O. Box 1447
Decatur, GA 30031
Phone: 404-523-2178
Website: www.countthecost.org
Description: Conducts workshops on criminal justice issues, including individual and human rights, stress, anger, and conflict resolution. Provides support networks and programs for youth and adults.
Families with a Future
c/o LSPC
100 McAllister St., Suite 200
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: 415-255-7036, ext. 320; Fax: 415-552-3150
Website: www.fwaf.net
Email: fwaf@aol.com
Description: Network of advocates dedicated to keeping incarcerated women united with their children. Founded by former political prisoner Ida P. McCray in 1996.
Family and Corrections Network
32 Oak Grove Road
Palmyra, Va 22963
Phone: 434-589-3036; Fax: 434-589-6520
Website: www.fcnetwork.org
Email: fcn@fcnetwork.org
Description: Provides information on programs serving families involved in the correctional system. Offers consultation, technical assistance and program development.
The Fortune Society
53 West 23rd Street, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10010
Phone: 212-691-7554; Fax: 212-255-4948
Website: www.fortunesociety.org
Email: info@fortunesociety.org
Description: Community-based organization dedicated to educating the public about prisons, criminal justice issues, and the root causes of crime. Helps ex-offenders and at-risk youth break the cycle of crime and incarceration through a broad range of services.
Legal Services for Prisoners with Children
100 McAllister St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: 415-255-7036; Fax: 415-552-3150
Website: http://prisonerswithchildren.org
Email: info@prisonerswithchildren.org
Description: LSPC advocates for the civil rights and empowerment of incarcerated parents, children, family members, and people at risk for incarceration through response to requests for information, education, technical assistance, litgation, and community activism.
Lydia’s Place, Inc.
711 Penn Avenue, Suite 706
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: 412-471-3410
Website: www.lydiasplace.org
Email: alydiasplace@cs.com
Description: Interdenominational, interracial, Christian agency dedicated to servicing the holistic needs of women offenders. Helps women rebuild their lives, reunite with their children, and learn to live crime-free lives.
M.A.S.S. (Mothers-Fathers for the Advancement of Social Systems, Inc.
P.O. Box 225067
Dallas, TX 75222-5067
Phone: 214-821-8810; Fax: 214-824-6891
Description: Provides support to inmates who have been falsely accused and incarcerated. Also provides counseling, skills training, and mentorship programs in First Offender Return to Society Program, and Youth Programs for children of incarcerated caregivers.
National Clearinghouse for the Defense of Battered Women
125 South 9th Street, Suite 302
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-351-0010; Fax: 215-315-0779
Description: Helps battered women who, faced with life-threatening violence from their abusers, are forced to defend themselves. Provides technical assistance, support, resources, networking, and training nationwide.
Prison Fellowship International
P.O. Box 17434
Washington, DC 20041
Phone: 703-481-0000; Fax: 703-481-0003
Website: www.pfi.org
Email: info@pfi.org
Description: Through ministries in eighty-three countries, this organization responds to the needs of prisoners, ex-prisoners, victims, and those affected by crime.
Project Return
Robert E. Roberts 2703
General de Gaulle Drive
New Orleans, LA 70144-6222
Phone: 504-988-1000; Fax: 504-263-8976
Website: www.projectreturn.com
Email: bob@projectreturn.com
Description: Provides an integrated delivery network aimed at reducing the high rate of recidivism of former offenders, which includes substance abuse and alcohol treatment, family counseling, GED classes, conflict resolution training, job training, and placement assistance.
Revelation S.E.E.D.
P.O. Box 56623
Atlanta, GA 30343
Description: Provides prison ministry, parenting workshops for incarcerated mothers, support groups for formerly incarcerated women and survivors of domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, addiction, and homelessness. Also provides employment assessment and training.
Step by Step of Rochester, Inc.
2229 Clifford Avenue
Rochester, NY 14609
Phone: 585-224-0763; Fax: 716-288-8026
Website: www.stepbysteprochester.org
Email: sbys@frontiernet.net
Description: Mission is to assist women who have been incarcerated, to reclaim their gifts and strengths as the foundation on which to rebuild their lives.
Women’s Advocacy Project
P.O. Box 833
Austin, TX 78767-0833
Phone: 512-476-5377, 800-777-3427 (toll free); Fax: 512-476-5773 Website:
Email: vwing@women-law.org
Description: Offers free legal services for any domestic violence survivor in Texas, without qualification. Through toll-free hot-lines, women can receive legal advice on any matter involving family violence.
Women’s Project
2224 S. Main
Little Rock, AR 72206
Phone: 501-372-5113; Fax: 501-372-0009
Website: http://members.aol/com/wproject/
Description: Mission is to achieve social justice for women. Programs include newsletter publication, information and referral services, AIDS education, technical assistance, producing cultural activities.