
Informational Resources
California Prisons
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
How people in custody or supervision can ask for disability accommodations and report violations of their disability rights by any public agency
Administrative Grievances and Appeals
How to file administrative grievances and appeals (Forms 602-1/602-2 and 602 HC), which sometimes can solve prison and parole issues and usually must be completed before a court challenge
CDCR's Alternative Custody and Re-entry Programs
Learn about eligibility for programs that allow people to serve part of their sentence in the community
California State Bar Attorney Complaint Form
Form for complaining about problems with a lawyer, such as failure to communicate, ineffective assistance, and over-billing
CALPIA Resource Guide for Parolees
Link to CALPIA's directory of resources in each county for health, housing, human services, transportation, and reentry
Directory of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired in California
Link to California Council of the Blind resources list
Challenging a Board of Parole Hearings (BPH) Decision or Governor Parole Reversal
Information on legal actions for challenging a parole denial, rescission or reversal, including common legal issues that can be raised
Preparing for Board of Parole Hearings (BPH) Suitability Hearings
Information on BPH hearing procedures, including an overview of the California parole process from UnCommon Law, an organization that provides advocacy and support for people in the parole hearing process
CDCR Camp and Minimum Custody Eligibility
CDCR's matrix showing who is eligible to be placed in fire camp or minimum custody
CDCR C-File Release Form
Form to authorize a lawyer, advocate, or family member to obtain documents from a person's CDCR file. (Note: There is a different form for authorizing release of health care information.)
Government Claims Information
Information on the Department of Risk Management process for asking for compensation for injury or loss of property caused by prison or jail staff. This process must be completed before filing a state lawsuit seeking money damages.
"Collateral Challenges" to California Criminal Convictions
Information about the different types of petitions for challenging a criminal conviction or sentence in addition to or instead of a direct appeal
Compassionate Release
Information about how people who are terminally ill can get released from prison either through resentencing or early parole
Use of Confidential Information in CDCR Decisions
Information on constitutional rights and CDCR rules about using confidential information in disciplinary and classification proceedings
Dental Care in CDCR Prisons
How to seek seek dental care and challenge denial of dental care
Direct Appeals of Criminal Convictions
How to file a notice of appeal from a criminal judgment and contact information for the state appellate defense offices
Elderly Parole Program
Information about early parole consideration for some people who are over the age of 50 (or in some cases 60)
Ella Baker Center for Human Rights Resources
This non-profit organization publishes some resources for people incarcerated in prisons and jails, including a Racial Justice Act Guide and information on resentencing laws
Changes to Laws on Enhancements and Sentences
A summary of some of the changes to the laws on sentences and enhanements in the past few years and whether those laws apply to people convicted before the new laws took effect.
Family Ties and Prison Placements
Information about the laws concerning CDCR's consideration of family ties in deciding where to house someone