Michigan
Legal Resources:
ACLU of Michigan
Executive Director: Kary Moss, Esq.
60 West Hancock
Detroit, MI 48201-1324
(313) 578-6800
Prison conditions; direct referrals; services limited to state prisons and jails. Call Mondays and Wednesdays only between 1 and 4.
Clinical Law Program, University of Michigan
363 Legal Research Building
801 Monroe St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
(313) 763-4319
Students may take cases for pro bono requirement.
Innocent Claims
President: Douglas J. Tjapkes
20 W. Muskegon Avenue
Muskegon, MI 49440
Office of Corrections Ombudsman
115 W. Allegan
4th Floor, Capitol Hall
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 373-8573
Direct referrals; legal research; prison health care for all state prisoners. NOTE: This is a legislative organization overseeing the Dept. of Corrections, criticizes the department, makes recommendations, holds hearings on inmate grievances, oversees disciplinary system in the state prisons and testifies before the legislature. No legal assistance provided.
Prison Legal Services of Michigan
3855 Cooper Street
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 780-6639
All civil legal aid matters (other than civil rights suits against prison officials); detainers and federal habeas corpus; assistance after the right of criminal appeal is exhausted; other post conviction matters; advice in prison administrative matters; paralegal training for elected inmates and job placement assistance for released paralegals..
Prisoner Legal Services of Michigan, INC.
Huron Valley Center (Women's Facility)
3511 Bernis Rd.
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Provides legal assistance for women in Michigan prison system only
Univesrity of Michigan Public Service
625 South State Street
200 Hutchins Hall
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1215
(734) 647-3256
Wayne State University Law School
The Pro Bono Program
471 West Palmer
Detroit, MI 48202
Students may take cases for pro bono requirement.
Support Organizations:
CURE (Michigan Chapter, Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants)
Kay Perry, Director
P.O. Box 2736
Kalamazoo, MI 49003-2736
(269) 383-0028
Grassroots criminal justice reform organization providing education and advocacy. Works along with prisoners and their families to establish a humane Criminal Justice System.
Finally Free Michigan
12205 Hart NE 46
Greenville, MI 48838
Parole reintegration help and resources for parolees: former prisoner-friendly job resources, food pantries, medical care, clothing for folks who just got out, legal assistance, resources on visitations, disability resources, and help with grievances. Also provide a chat for parolees/ former prisoners.
Sons and Daughters of the Incarcerated (SADOI)
Joyce Dixson-Haskett
750 Towner
Ypsilanti, MI
(734) 482-1992
Team for Justice (Main Office)
5221 Gullen Mall
767 Student Center Building
Wayne State U.
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 577-1193
Provides services including personal and legal counseling, advocacy at decision points, education, and rehabilitative services.
Education/Libraries:
Midwest Books to Prisoners Project
1573 N. Milwaukee Dr.
PO Box 460
Chicago, IL 60622
Sends books to Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.
State Law Library
Law Building
P.O. Box 30012
Lansing, MI 30012
No materials loaned. Copies ten cents per page. Will not copy materials owned by institution library. No reference work done.
University of Michigan Law Library
Legal Research Building
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1210
No material loaned. Copies 10 cents per page if more than ten pages requested. Very limited reference work done.
Updated June, 2005
