Resources
Education in Prison
There are several organizations dedicated to providing books to incarcerated individuals, fostering education, self-improvement, and a love of reading. Free books are mailed to people in prisons across the U.S., aiming to break the cycle of recidivism through knowledge and empowerment. Incarcerated individuals are connected with books that help them learn, grow, and stay mentally engaged during their time in prison. These programs rely on donations and volunteers to fulfill book requests and make a meaningful impact.
Professional
Prison legal news is a project of the Human rights defense Center and provides review and analysis of prisoners' rights, court rulings and news about criminal justice-related issues. It focuses on state and federal prison issues. Prison legal news provides information that enables prisoners and other concerned individuals to gain a better understanding of the criminal justice topics, including the protection and enforcement of prisoners’ rights. Prison labor, the private prison industry, medical and mental health care for prisoners, misconduct and abuse by prison and jail staff, settlements and verdicts in lawsuits against detention facilities, juvenile justice, the death penalty, the Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA), prison censorship, HIV and hep C, solitary confinement, and racial and socio-economic disparities in our criminal justice system are some of the areas covered.
Prison Legal News - Dedicated to Protecting Human Rights
The Angolite is published and edited by prisoners at the Louisiana state Penitentiary in Angola, LA. Prisons Activists Resource Center corresponds with and mails directories of resources to prisoners and their family members. It is a point of contact for people to connect with prisoners’ rights organizations, community organizations, prison literature and arts projects, family and visiting resources, health care and legal resources, and parole and pre-release resources.
The Angolite | Prison Activist Resource Center
Prisoner Express provides an opportunity for incarcerated men and women to get information, education, and a public forum for creative self-expression. Through newsletters and programs, this brings hope and fosters a sense of community among participating prisoners. Prisoners write letters, essays, journals, poetry, and more. Volunteers sort through their works and select poetry and theme essays to be published in the upcoming newsletter.
The Law Library of Louisiana provides assistance finding legal information. You can view the Louisiana constitution, codes, and statutes for free. Click on "Laws" and either enter a citation, search by keyword, or browse the Table of Contents.
Louisiana Constitution, Codes, and Statues
You can view the federal constitution, codes, and statutes. You can search by keyword or choose the specific law you wish to view under “Advance”
You can view state and federal court cases. Click on "Case Law" and enter your citation or case name.
JUVENILES AND JUVENILE DETENTION CENTERS
Information to help parents advocate for their children
The Parents in Schools Leadership Project is designed to ensure that, as our educational institutions continue to be rebuilt, our children who are in crisis, who learn differently, and who exhibit challenging behaviors are kept in their schools where they are surrounded with knowledge and opportunities, and out of our harsh and punitive juvenile justice system. The over-use of suspensions and expulsions must stop, and all classrooms must be places of disciplined learning where teachers and students have the resources and support, they need to do their jobs of teaching and learning well. FFLIC knows that parents are the key to achieving this goal because it is the parents who have the greatest investment and the most knowledge about how and where our children need support. The mission is to create a better life for all of Louisiana’s youth, especially those involved in or targeted by the juvenile justice system
Families and Friends of Louisiana's Incarcerated Children
The Juvenile Law Center fights for rights, dignity, equity, and opportunity for youth. Their work is to reduce the harm of the child welfare and justice systems, limit their reach, and abolish them so all young people can thrive. The Juvenile Law Center is involved in approximately 100 cases annually in jurisdictions nationwide and offers litigation support and technical assistance on hundreds of cases involving juvenile life without parole sentencing across the country. This organization provides technical support when cities and states reform their child welfare policies. Essential support is provided to youth advocates so they can be effective agents of change for youth.
The Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights is a nonprofit law office that stands with kids in the justice system no matter what. Holistic legal defense is provided to address children’s needs both inside and outside the courtroom. Tackling the systemic issues that criminalize mostly poor, black youth in the first place is a priority. Keeping kids out of a harmful system so that they can thrive where they belong: at home, at school, and in our communities is our goal.
Louisiana Center for Children's Rights
This category is about minors who are in criminal proceedings, or dealing with discipline in school, including getting advocates and support. It can cover issues of detention, special sentencing, standards of treatment, and the possibility of the death penalty. This might also be called juvenile delinquency. This information is provided in English and Spanish and explains how the Louisiana juvenile courts handle child custody. Information about the Child in Need of Care explains how decisions are made to take care of children who are in need of help.
Louisiana Parole Project is a nonprofit organization that helps formerly incarcerated men and women rebuild their lives. Through transitional housing, employment support, programming, and services, this organization is committed to meeting their needs so that they can become fully productive members of their communities. Services include transitional housing, case management, classes and programming, social work and mental health services, and family and community reintegration.
The Louisiana Informational Handbook for Friends and Families of People in Prison supports families by providing information on state and local facilities, telephone and electronic communication, visitation, health care, mental health, finances for prisoners, and more.
Louisiana Informational handbook for Friends and Families of People in Prison
This is a project of the Interfaith prison ministry. Children and families of the incarcerated receive birthday cards with a gift card, college scholarships for high school seniors, Christmas gifts and food boxes for families, back to school backpacks and supplies. Activities and events are held with supervision for children to be with the parents for special occasions. Training is provided for those who would like to volunteer.
The Solomon House provides support, guidance, and spiritual enrichment through the challenges of daily life. The primary function is to serve as a food pantry for the residents of New Iberia. On Tuesday mornings, groceries are distributed on a first come, first serve basis. Solomon House is able to provide some emergency assistance. Families needing help with medical expenses, transportation costs, housing and utilities, school and household supplies or emergency disaster relief are able to apply for aid up to four times per year. The average amount given to help a family is $50. At Christmas time, Solomon House hosts holiday events for the elderly and youth of the parish and distributes educational gifts and basic necessities. Solomon House has also been able to distribute books to children in the community as well as needed school supplies.
The Disch-DeClouet social service Center serves the poor and needy of Iberia Parish with immediate assistance for critical and basic human needs. The assistance is provided without a waiting period and without charge. Assistance is provided for utility bills, rent, food, clothing, burials, diapers, milk, and other necessities.
Disch-DeClouet Social Service Center
The mission is to provide support services to children of incarcerated parents and their families and to increase public awareness of the underlying problems of these children as victims through education, advocacy and research. The purpose of SKIP programs is to help children (“Skippers”) of incarcerated parents and their families better cope with separation due to incarceration; to maintain family ties, and to break the cycle of incarceration by informing the community at large of the underlying problems of children with incarcerated parents and the necessity of community support and increasing family awareness of community services and support that are available to them. SKIP programs help “Skippers” to become self-reliant and responsible adults by giving them hope and options for the future; thus, enabling them to become productive citizens.
Books for children of incarcerated parents
Children often have a difficult time when a parent or loved one is no longer home and living in a prison. Storybooks and picture books can be powerful tools to help them face this challenge. Through the books, children can develop empathy and understanding, normalize their feelings, gain coping mechanisms, improve communication, and can feel connected to their loved ones...
Far Apart, Close in Heart by Becky Birtha
Hazelnut Days by Emmanuel Bourdier
What to do when You're Scared and Worried by James Crist
Milo Imagines the World by Matt de la Pena
My Brother is Away by Sara Greenwood
The Night Dad Went to Jail by Melissa Higgins
Dear Dad by Jay Jay Patton
Visiting Day by Jacqueline Woodson
Amber Was Brave, Essie Was Smart by Vera B. Williams
Family and friends of people assigned to the custody of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections can locate the person by searching on the Louisiana Automated Victim Notification System (LAVNS). This site is updated every 24 hours and makes it easy to search by location, name, and ID/case number. In addition to people in prison, it also includes information on people under probation or parole (community) supervision. You can also call 225-383-4580 to be connected to the Imprisoned Person Locator. Callers must have the person in prison’s DPS&C number or the person in prison’s name and date of birth to access housing assignment, address of the facility where the person is located, a contact phone number and a projected release date.
Louisiana Department of Corrections
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