Jailhouse lawyers have a profound impact on the legal landscape. The work of some of the fields greatest has started to be recognized: Calvin Duncan, Shon Hopwood, and Derrick Hamilton. Still, many attorneys on the outside view the work of jailhouse lawyers with suspicion and skepticism. JLI wants to change this perception. We know how hard you work to advance the rights of your community members on the inside. Everyday you challenge unjust laws, hold institutions accountable, and create pathways for community members to come home. While the law prevents you from attaching your name on legal cases, we SEE you and all that you do. This work matters; the successes and impacts deserved to be shared.
Towards that end, we are collecting stories of the work of jailhouse lawyers across the country to help shape advocacy demands and uplift the work of jailhouse lawyers. Please share with us the story of your work as a jailhouse lawyer. We would like to hear about the impact you have had on people’s cases as well as the impact that doing this work has had on yourself. What motivated you to enter into this work and what motivates you to continue? What are the biggest challenges that you face in doing your legal work and how have you overcome these challenges? What are the things that need to change, and what do you think is the best way forward in building a movement of jailhouse lawyers?
We would love to hear your story, and have your voice become part of the movement of jailhouse lawyers advocating for better lives, freedom and justice:
Jailhouse Lawyers Initiative
Legal Empowerment and Advocacy Hub
PO BOX 2516
Alachua, FL 32616