Need Help With a Prisoners Rights Matter?
Of course, prisoners don’t enjoy the same privileges and entitlements as other members of society who aren’t behind bars. However, prisons do have a number of rights while incarcerated. Generally, the constitution and statutory laws require that prisoners be treated humanely—this includes adequate medical and mental health care—and be afforded a fair process for addressing grievances and challenging parole decisions and disciplinary actions taken by prison officials.

If you or a loved one is experiencing unfair treatment or inhumane conditions while in custody, you may need the assistance of a prisoners rights attorney.

The way an attorney might address your issue depends on the circumstances. Oftentimes, prison rights issues are litigated through class action lawsuits—a legal action brought on behalf of a group of prisoners who are experiencing the same problem. The goal of these types of lawsuits is typically to obtain a judgment from the court ordering prison officials to correct the unlawful conditions.

In other cases, a prisoner might have an issues that needs to be addressed by pursuing an individual case. For instance, a prisoner who disagrees with the outcome of a disciplinary or parole hearing might choose to appeal of the decision. A prisoners rights attorney can assist with these types of appeals.

Looking for a Lawyer?
At Lawyers.com, you’ll find a user-friendly search tool that allows you to tailor results by legal practice area and geography. You can also search for a particular attorney by name. Attorney profiles prominently display contact information, list topics of expertise, and show ratings—by both clients and other legal professionals.

Ready to Meet With a Prisoners Rights Lawyer?
Before hiring a lawyer or law firm, make sure to speak directly—preferably in person—to the attorney who will be primarily responsible for handling your case. Consider bringing to the conversation a list of questions and any documentation related to your case. Remember that you don’t need to hire the first lawyer you consult with and that, first and foremost, you want a lawyer you trust.

What to Ask a Prisoners Rights Lawyer
When gathering your thoughts and documents, think about what you’ll want to ask the lawyer. Consider including on your list questions about:

• the lawyer’s experience with prisoners rights cases
• the lawyer’s familiarity with the local court system
• who else will work on your case
• attorneys’ fees and other expenses related to the case (including contingency fees and how fees might increase as the case progresses)
• how long the case might take, and
• the lawyer’s initial impressions of your case and options.