Example Filtered Resources
Note: search box will include results from ALL informational resources, NOT ONLY pre-filtered resources.
How people in custody or supervision can ask for disability accommodations and report violations of their disability rights by any public agency
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
Learn about eligibility for programs that allow people to serve part of their sentence in the community
Form for complaining about problems with a lawyer, such as failure to communicate, ineffective assistance, and over-billing
Link to CALPIA's directory of resources in each county for health, housing, human services, transportation, and reentry
Link to California Council of the Blind resources list
Information on legal actions for challenging a parole denial, rescission or reversal, including common legal issues that can be raised
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's matrix showing who is eligible to be placed in fire camp or minimum custody
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.)
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.
Information about the different types of petitions for challenging a criminal conviction or sentence in addition to or instead of a direct appeal
Information about how people who are terminally ill can get released from prison either through resentencing or early parole
Information on constitutional rights and CDCR rules about using confidential information in disciplinary and classification proceedings
How to seek seek dental care and challenge denial of dental care
How to file a notice of appeal from a criminal judgment and contact information for the state appellate defense offices
Information about early parole consideration for some people who are over the age of 50 (or in some cases 60)
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
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.
Information about the laws concerning CDCR's consideration of family ties in deciding where to house someone
Information on rights and legal remedies when prison staff use excessive physical force. (Note: there is a separate resource with additional information on misconduct complaints against CDCR staff.)
Information on the laws concerning when prison staff can classify someone as a prison gang or street gang member or associate
Information and forms for filing a state habeas corpus petition. A state habeas corpus petition can be used to challenge policies or actions by prison or jail staff or (in some circumstances) to challenge a criminal conviction or sentence.
Link to the California State Independent Living Council's list of independent living centers that assist people with diabilities
Includes a Prison to Ice to Freedom manual prepared by Asian Law Causcus
Describes the credits available to people serving county jail sentences for felonies, and how they are different from credits available to people serving CDCR prison terms
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
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
Information on the rules for sending confidential mail to lawyers, the courts, and government officials