PLAP Legal Resources

Correctional Legal Services For Massachusetts State Inmates And Parolees

Massachusetts Correctional Legal Services (MCLS): Offers legal assistance to inmates in cases relating to their civil rights, such as prison conditions, medical care, brutality cases and AIDS in prison. Provides telephone information, advice, and self-help manuals.
8 Winter Street
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 482-2773/ Mondays 1-4 p.m.
State Prisoners dial (*9004# ) or (877) 249-1342
County Jail prisoners dial (617) 482-4124/ Families (800) 882-1413

Northeastern University Prisoners Assistance Project (PAP): Represents state prisoners in Massachusetts in parole revocation, parole rescission, and parole release hearings for inmates serving serious second degree life sentences.
716 Columbus Ave., Suite 212
Roxbury, MA 02120
Collect Calls: (617) 373-3660 Sept. to Feb. only.

Lawyer Referrals

Committee for Public Counsel Services: (Public Defender’s Office): Criminal defense, children and parents in family interventions proceedings, youth advocacy in juvenile delinquency matters, mental health related cases, and sex offender registry clients.
44 Bromfield Street
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 482-6212/
Prisoners dial *9009# or (800) 882-2095

National Lawyers Guild Lawyer Referral Service:
14 Beacon St., Suite 407
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 227-7008

Boston Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service: Makes referrals to lawyers throughout the great Boston area for both criminal and civil cases. There is no cost for contacting the Lawyer Referral Service. The maximum charge for the first half-hour consultation with a lawyer is $25. The lawyer’s fee is then arranged between you and the lawyer. For those financially eligible, the Lawyer Referral Service also has a reduced fee panel of lawyers.
16 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 742-0625

Massachusetts Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service: Makes referrals to lawyers throughout the state of Massachusetts for both criminal and civil cases. There is no cost for contacting the Lawyer Referral Service. The maximum charge for the first half-hour consultation with a lawyer is $25. The lawyer’s fee is then arranged between you and the lawyer. For those financially eligible, the Lawyer Referral Service also has a reduced fee panel of lawyers.
20 West Street
Boston, MA 02111
(800) 392-6164
(617) 542-9103

New England Innocence Project
Goodwin Procter LLP
53 State Street, Boston MA 02109
(617) 305-6505
DNA cases

Medical Referrals

Health Law Associates: Does not accept collect calls. Assists prisoners having difficulty getting adequate medical care while incarcerated. Prisoners may write to them.
Suite 940, 30 Winter Street
Boston, MA 02108

Disabled Persons Commission Hotline
Dial*9001# or (800) 426-9009

Massachusetts Disability Law Center
(617) 557-9167