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.
  • Spanish 8/1/2016 [2]
• NOTE: iDOC link, not available on public site.

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.
  • Spanish 7/2016 [4]

Education

Adams State University Prison College Program [5]

• At Adams State University, we 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.
• Course Catalog 2018 [6]
  • Request a Mailed Catalog [7]
• Admissions Requirements Checklist [8]
• Application for Admission [9]
  • NOTE: Application fee waived
• Correspondence Course Registration Form [10]
• FAQs [11]
• Third Party Release of Educational Records [12]
• Unofficial Evaluation Request Form [13]
• Book Store Contact Information [14]
• For Veterans, see Adams State Veteran specific information on the Veterans Resources page.

Colorado State University Undergraduate Degree Program

• 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
• Course Catalog 2018/2019 [15]
• Application for Admission [16]
• Independent Study Course Registration Form [17]
• Undergraduate Degree Programs [18]
• Fast Facts [19]
  • Contains valuable information about which correspondence courses require internet access.
• Information about the Division of Extended Studies [20]
  • NOTE: Includes Contact Information

Ohio University Correctional Education [21]

• 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.
• Associate Degrees, Print-Based Education [22]
• Bachelor's Degrees, Print-Based Education [23]
  • Associate and Bachelor's Print-Based Course List [24]
• Legal Certificates, Print-Based Education [25]
  • Legal Certificate Course List [26]
  • Legal Certificate Course Descriptions [27]
  • NOTE: Legal certificate courses are noncredit courses, and participants may start these courses at any time.
• Admission Information [28]
• Application for Admission 2018/2019 [29]
• How to Register for Courses [30]
• Course Registration Form [31]
• Cost for Print-Based Education [32]

Blackstone Career Institute

• 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 [33]
• Paralegal Program Overview [34]
• Advanced Paralegal Course Curriculum [35]
• Enrollment Agreement [36]
• Tuition and Program Payment Plans [37]

Federal Student Aid Eligibility for Students Confined in Adult Correctional or Juvenile Justice Facilities [38]

• 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 [39]
  • Make sure you understand your status, and don't assume you can't get aid.

Freedom Project [40]

• Freedom Project is an innovative educational organization serving inmates and those recently released back into the community. Our programs focus on nonviolent communication and mindfulness.
• Prison Programs [41]
• Program Manual 4/2015 [42]
• Contact [43]

Directories

Naljor Prison Dharma Service Resource Directory [44] March 2018

• Naljor Prison Dharma Service is an outreach project of SourcePoint Global Outreach. We 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 [45]

Prison Book Program - National Prisoner Resources List [46] no date

• 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 [47]

Prisoner Activist Resources Center Support Directory [48] June 2017

• PARC corresponds with and mails this resource packet to prisoners, their friends and family members. We 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 [49]

Legal Assistance & Rights

ACLU Prisoners' Assistance Directory 2012 [50]

• A list of national and state-based organizations that assist prisoners and their families in various capacities.
• Source [51]

Washington County and City Public Defender Offices [52] February 2015

• 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.
• source Page [53]

Center for Justice

• Empowering People & Communities
• Prisoners' Rights [54]