Resources for people who are currently incarcerated

Washington DOC Publications

Offender Grievance Program Manual

• The Offender Grievance Program is an internal grievance and appeal system that promotes proper and effective communication between staff and offenders in an effort to resolve issues at the lowest possible level. Staff and offenders are encouraged to resolve problems together as part of their routine interaction.
  • English 8/1/2016 [1]
• El Programa de Quejas para Internos es un sistema de quejas y apelaciones del departamento que promueve la comunicación apropiada y eficaz entre el personal e internos en un esfuerzo por resolver los problemas al nivel más bajo posible. Se anima al personal e internos a resolver los problemas juntos como parte de su interacción de todos los días.
  • Español / Spanish 8/1/2016 [2]
• NOTE: iDOC link, not available on public site.
• También disponible en español Recursos en español

DOC Health Services Offender Health Plan

• The Washington state Department of Corrections (DOC) provides medically necessary health and mental health care to offenders incarcerated in our facilities. This includes both major and minor facilities, but does not include Work releases except for Rap Lincoln. The Offender Health Plan (OHP) defines which services are medically necessary. The OHP is not a contract or a guarantee of services to offenders. The OHP describes the health and mental health care services available to offenders, as well as the services that are limited or not available.
  • English 7/2016 [3]
• El Departamento Correccional del Estado de Washington (DOC) provee la atención médica y servicios de salud mental necesarios para internos e internas encarcelados en nuestras instalaciones. Quedan incluidas las prisiones principales y las de seguridad mínima, pero no se incluyen Reclusorios Nocturnos con la excepción de Rap House. El Plan de Salud del Interno (OHP, por sus siglas en inglés) define los servicios que son necesarios por razones médicas. El OHP no es un contrato o garantía de servicios para internos. El OHP describe los servicios médicos y servicios de salud mental disponibles a los internos así como otros servicios limitados o no disponibles.
  • Español / Spanish 7/2016 [4]
  • También disponible en español Recursos en español

Education

Adams State University Print-based Prison College Program [5]

• At Adams State University, they know how important education is to all individuals, especially for those who happen to be incarcerated. Through correspondence courses, Adams State University provides an opportunity for incarcerated students to work for college credit and towards a degree.
• More information [6]
• Course Catalog [7]
• Important Dates/Course Rotation [8]
• Apply [9]
  • Admissions Checklist [10]
  • Application for admissions [11]
• Course Registration [12]
  • Course Registration form [13]
• Third Party Release [14]
• Policies and Procedures [15]
• Prison College Program FAQ [16]
• For Veterans, see Adams State Veteran specific information on the Veterans Resources page.

Colorado State University-Pueblo (CSU-Pueblo) Undergraduate Degree Program, Extended Studies [17]

• Colorado State University-Pueblo's Division of Extended Studies offers students three undergraduate degree completion programs through traditional correspondence courses: Bachelor of Science in Social Science, Bachelor of Science in Sociology, Bachelor of Science in Sociology with an Emphasis in Criminology
• Independent Study Catalog 2017-2018 [18]
• Application for Admission [19]
• Independent Study Course Registration Form [20]
• Undergraduate Degree Programs [21]
• Fast Facts Spring 2018 [22]
  • Contains valuable information about which correspondence courses require internet access. Updates regularly, check for updates whenever accessing info. Source Page [23]

Ohio University Correctional Education [24]

• Since 1974, Ohio University’s Correctional Education has provided an opportunity for incarcerated students to study through print-based courses, to earn college credit, and work toward an Ohio University degree. Students who want to learn — but aren’t interested in a degree — can take a few courses or complete a legal studies certificate. Degree and certificate options: Associate degrees, Bachelor's degree, Legal Studies Certificate Courses.
• Inquiry Packet [25]
• Welcome Packet [26]
• Associate Degrees, Print-Based Education [27]
• Bachelor's Degrees, Print-Based Education [28]
  • Associate and Bachelor's Print-Based Course List [29]
• Legal Certificates, Print-Based Education [30]
  • Legal Certificate Course List [31]
  • NOTE: Legal certificate courses are noncredit courses, and participants may start these courses at any time.
• Admission Information [32]
• Application for Admission 2018/2019 [33]
• How to Register for Courses [34]
• Course Registration Form [35]
• Cost for Print-Based Education [36]

Rio Salado College Incarcerated Re-Entry: Distance Learning (IRE) [37]

• Rio Salado College's Incarcerated Re-entry (IRE) program offers distance learning classes for incarcerated students. Classes are offered in print based correspondence formats.
• Correspondence Course Guide [38]

Blackstone Career Institute [39]

• Blackstone Career Institute offers two course options to students who are incarcerated. Paralegal Program Inmate students can earn their paralegal certification. Specialized Courses Inmate students can expand their legal knowledge
• Paralegal Certificate for the Incarcerated [40]
• Paralegal Program Overview [41]
• Advanced Paralegal Course Curriculum [42]
• Enrollment Agreement [43]
• Tuition and Program Payment Plans [44]

Federal Student Aid (FSA) Eligibility for Students Confined in Adult Correctional or Juvenile Justice Facilities [45]

• Find answers to questions you may have about how being incarcerated in an adult correctional facility or committed to a juvenile justice facility affects your eligibility for federal student aid for college or career school, including Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) information.
• Students with criminal convictions have limited eligibility for federal student aid [46]
  • Make sure you understand your status, and don't assume you can't get aid.

Freedom Project [47]

• Freedom Project is an innovative educational organization serving inmates and those recently released back into the community. Their programs focus on nonviolent communication and mindfulness.
• Prison Programs [48]
• Reentry Programs [49]
• Contact Information [50]
• Also on Statewide/National Resource Health Page.

Directories

Books to Prisoners Seattle - How to Request Books [51]

• Books To Prisoners is a Seattle-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to foster a love of reading behind bars, encourage the pursuit of knowledge and self-empowerment, and break the cycle of recidivism. We believe that books are tools for learning and for opening minds to new ideas and possibilities, and engage incarcerated individuals with the benefits of reading by mailing tens of thousands of free books to inmates across the country each year.

Naljor Prison Dharma Service Resource Directory 7/6/2018 [52]

• Naljor Prison Dharma Service is an outreach project of SourcePoint Global Outreach. They provide resource materials to men and women in prison throughout the United States, to numerous prison outreach organizations, and to individuals working directly with those inside prison
• Source Page [53]

Prison Book Program - National Prisoner Resource List (NPRL) 2/2018 [54]

• Large Print Edition 4/2017 [55]
• The National Prisoner Resource List (NPRL) provides information about places where prisoners and their families can find support, advocacy, health care information, and outlets for their creativity. It offers a much-needed lifeline to the outside community. The NPRL also contains information about protecting oneself from HIV, which is spreading like wildfire in prisons. We often hear from people that a resource on the NPRL helped them get the services they needed or simply made them feel less hopeless because they found someplace to turn for support.
• Source Page [56]

Prison Activist Resource Center (PARC) National Prisoner Resource Directory 6/2018 [57]

• PARC corresponds with and mails this resource packet to prisoners, their friends and family members. They are often the first point of contact for people to connect with prisoners' rights organizations, community organizations, prison literature and arts projects, family and visiting resources, healthcare and legal resources, parole and pre-release resources, and the prison abolition movement.
• Source Page [58]

Legal Assistance & Rights

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Prisoners' Assistance Directory 2012 [59]

• A list of national and state-based organizations that assist prisoners and their families in various capacities. Includes contact information and descriptions of services for over 300 national, state, local and international organizations that provide assistance to prisoners, ex-offenders, and families of prisoners. It also includes a bibliography of informative books, reports, manuals, and newsletters of interest to prisoners and their advocates.
  • NOTE: Last update in 2012
• ACLU Prisoners' Assistance Directory [60]

WA County and City Public Defender Offices [61]

• If you cannot afford to hire a lawyer, you may ask the court to appoint a public defense attorney to represent you. The determination of eligibility for a court appointed attorney is handled by the local court. The following counties and cities provide local public defender agencies to represent adults and juveniles who are accused of a crime and cannot afford to pay a lawyer. These agencies may be reached at the phone numbers listed. To find public defense help in a county or city not listed below, contact the court in which the charges are filed.