Illinois Prison Project — Resources

Legal Clinic

IPP hosts a bi-monthly drop-in legal clinic via Zoom every first Tuesday of the month from 4 PM-5 PM Central Time and every third Saturday of the month from 9 AM-10 AM CST.

Our legal clinic will provide legal advice and consultation to people who have loved ones incarcerated in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Clinic hours will focus on commutation and administrative remedies, and they are a great opportunity to ask questions directly to one of our attorneys. To register for the clinic, fill out the form below.

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Commutation

Tools to help shorten a prison sentence

Commutation Toolkit

A guide to commutation for pro se filers in Illinois

Guía de clemencia para familias y personas encarceladas

Instrucciones detalladas para redactar y enviar una petición de conmutación sin la ayuda de un abogado

Pro Se Commutation Petition Template

A fillable template created by the Illinois Prison Project, to help with drafting of pro se commutation petitions

Commutation Hearing Guide

How to prepare for your loved one's commutation hearing

Guía de audiencia de clemencia

Cómo preparar para la audiencia de clemencia de tu ser querido

Effective Communication for Commutations: A Teacher’s Guide

A detailed step-by-step guide for drafting a compelling and effective commutation petition by Emile DeWeaver

Sentencing credit

Tools to help shorten a prison sentence

Illinois ley de re-sentencia

Hoja informativa sobre la Illinois ley de re-sentencia

Illinois Resentencing Law Fact Sheet

Information about prosecutor-initiated resentencing in Illinois

Sentencing Credit Handbook

A guide to understanding sentencing credit in Illinois

Sentencing credit

Tools to help shorten a prison sentence

Sentencing Credit Handbook

A guide to understanding sentencing credit in Illinois

Illinois Resentencing Law Fact Sheet

Information about prosecutor-initiated resentencing in Illinois

Illinois ley de re-sentencia

Hoja informativa sobre la Illinois ley de re-sentencia

Medical Release

Tools to help shorten a prison sentence

Medical Release Handbook

A guide to medical release in Illinois

Medical Release Form

Form required by the Illinois Prisoner Review Board to apply for medical release

Medical Release Application Template

A template to apply for medical release

Sample Medical Release Application

A sample medical release application

Pardon

Tools to void a conviction

Pardon Handbook for Pro Se Filers

Step-by-step instructions for drafting and submitting an a pardon petition without the help of an attorney

Pro Se Pardon Petition Template

A fillable template created by the Illinois Prison Project, to help with drafting of pro se pardon petitions

PRB RESOURCES

Tools provided by the Illinois Prisoner Review Board to navigate the petition process

PRB Executive Clemency Guidelines

Guidelines by the PRB for the drafting and submission of commutation petitions

PRB Sample Commutation Petition

A fillable template created by the PRB to help with the drafting of pro se commutation petitions

PRB Order on Docketing of Commutation Petitions, July 7, 2021

A memo from the Governor's office announcing that commutation petitions will be reviewed on a quarterly docket system going forward

CURRENTLY INCARCERATED

Tools for currently incarcerated individuals

Grievance Toolkit

Information about how to file a grievance within the Illinois Department of Corrections

Transfer Procedures

Information about transferring facilities within the Illinois Department of Corrections

Youth Parole Toolkit

This toolkit is intended to provide assistance in filing a Youth Parole Petition, in order to be appointed counsel and go before the Prison Review Board for consideration.

Reentry

Tools for formerly incarcerated folks coming home

First 14 Days of Freedom Handbook

Systems and procedures one should expect to encounter in their first 14 days post incarceration

Reentry Resource Guide

Resources for returning citizens

Mapping Your Future: A Guide to Successful Reentry

A reentry resource guide compiled by the Education Justice Project

Construyendo tu futuro: Una Guía para la reintegración exitosa

Una guía para la reintegración de Education Justice Project

For Lawyers

If you are an attorney and would like a copy of our COVID-19 Toolkit for Lawyers, please fill out the following form.

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We will send you your toolkit on Email soon.

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