Summary of why and how to file a grievance about policies or actions by jail staff, which also may be required to preserve your rights to file a legal case.

This resource is available in Spanish as “Presentación de una queja en una cárcel del condado” on our Spanish resources page.

Information about the rules for getting access to a law library and what materials CDCR is required to provide

Tips on how to look for a lawyer to take a case, plus information on when courts may appoint a lawyer.

This resource is available in Spanish as “Información sobre solicitudes de recomendación de abogado” on our Spanish resources page.

Information on the rules for sending confidential mail to lawyers, the courts, and government officials

This non-profit organization publishes resources for people in prisons and jails, including a detailed Incarcerated Parents Manual that discusses child custody, child visitation, and divorce issues

Link to the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians complaint information and forms

Link to the Medical Board of California complaint information and forms

Information and form for authorizing a lawyer, advocate, or family member to get documents from a person's CDCR health records.

This resource is available in Spanish as “Cómo solicitar información o expedientes médicos al CDCR” on our Spanish resources page.

Information about how to ask to have a murder, attempted murder, or manslaughter conviction reduced under new laws that took effect in 2019 and 2022 (SB 1437 and SB 775).

This resource is available in Spanish as “Nuevas leyes sobre asesinato” on our Spanish resources page.

Link to the California Court's self-help page on how to change your name(Note: We have a separate resource on the special rules for transgender people who want to change their name and gender.)

Information on CDCR’s rules for moving some people out of Sensitive Needs Yards (SNYs) and criteria for remaining on a SNY

Link to the Governor's website information and forms for requesting a pardons or commutation

Information about federal civil rights lawsuits (§ 1983) and state tort or civil rights lawsuits seeking money damages for injuries or property loss, including the administrative claims that must be filed to preserve rights to sue and filing timelines.

This resource is available in Spanish as “Demandas de indemnización por daños y perjucios contra agentes penitencieros o contra el personal de prisiónes de California” on our Spanish resources page.

How to ask for replacement or money compensation when prison staff lose or damage an incarcerated person's property.

This resource is available in Spanish as “Remedios por pérdida o daño de bienes personales por parte del personal de prisiónes de California” on our Spanish resources page.

Information on options for people facing safety threats from other incarcerated people.

This resource is available in Spanish as “Seguridad personal en las prisiones de California” on our Spanish resources page.

Information on CDCR’s Integrated Substance Use Disorder Treatment (ISUDT) program, which can include, for people determined to need it, Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT).

Information on pain management and pain medication for people incarcerated in California state prisons.

Information on Valley Fever (sometimes called “cocci”), the nine CDCR prisons in the Valley Fever area, and CDCR’s policy prohibiting certain people from those prisons.

Information on the types of issues that can be raised and legal actions that can be brought to challenge a conviction or sentence after entering a guilty or no contest plea

Information regarding power of attorney, including how to give someone power to conduct financial or business transactions on a person's behalf or to make health care decisions on behalf of someone.