How to Defend a Prisoner's Civil Rights

This can be one of the most challenging aspects of dealing with the United States justice system. Once in the penal system, it is easy for an inmate to "get lost" from sight and oversight, and experience attacks on his civil rights. Read on to learn how to defend a prisoner's civil rights.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Make yourself aware of the incidence of civil rights violations of prisoners in the U.S. system of corrections. At first glance, notice the high percentage of prisoners who are black and Hispanic, and don't be afraid to let the public at large become more aware of that fact.
2. Learn the facts surrounding whatever specific case you are going to become involved in. There are always several sides to any story, and it will not help your cause to rush blindly into a hearing or trial with only partial information.
3. Get back up. Join with--or at least make your case known to--a group that is already involved in such battles, such as the NAACP or state wide organizations that are specifically and continually engaged in the battle of defending a prisoner's civil rights.
4. Go directly to the source of the civil rights problem. If you are dealing with a specific case of discrimination against a prisoner or curtailment of civil rights--and you can back up your points with specific reference to law--go to those in charge of the correctional facility in question and see if you can get some dialog going that will result in a positive decision for all concerned.
5. Alert the local and state newspapers to your plight, if you cannot get results on the personal level. Chances are the same situation you face is occurring all over the country, and others can benefit from seeing the issue dealt with openly.
6. Bring your state and federal representatives and senators on board. Write clear, concise letters explaining why you need to defend a particular prisoner's civil rights, and bring their political power and connections to bear on the situation.

Tips & Warnings

• Once you have started, don't stop. The process will likely be long and tiring, and you will be tested to your emotional and spiritual limits.
• This particular brand of activism takes on even greater weight--and is thus subject to greater pressure on the individual--since the events of September 11, 2001. Since that time, and with the introduction of the so-called Patriot Act, it is "legal" for the government to accuse anyone of terrorism without evidence, and to then detain such people indefinitely without trial. With this kind of mentality causing our jails to be filled with increasing numbers of people who may not be guilty of anything, there is a great need to fight for civil rights.