People in custody
A person in custody keeps rights. Medical care, safety and a release date are among them. We take claims when a jail or prison ignores one.
We take claims for medical or mental health care that was denied or delayed, for being held after a release date or a court order, for failure to protect a person from harm, and for conditions that were unsafe or unsanitary.
The grievance comes first
Federal law usually requires a person in custody to use the facility’s grievance process before suing. Courts dismiss claims that skipped a step. If you are inside, keep copies of every form. If you are writing for someone inside, tell us what has been filed.
Writing to us
We read every letter from a person in custody. Send the dates, the names of staff you can recall and the grievance numbers, and tell us whether you have a court date. Mail to the office is the surest way to reach us.
We cannot take every case, and we will tell you why if we cannot.
What happens after your letter
- 01
Step 1: We read it
A lawyer reads every letter, and the letter is answered.
- 02
Step 2: We ask what has been filed
The grievance steps and their dates decide what is possible.
- 03
Step 3: We look at the record
Medical charts, release paperwork, incident logs and any video.
- 04
Step 4: We write back
With what we can do, what we cannot and what to do next.
Send us the dates
Every case turns on its own facts. We will tell you what we see, and what we do not.