Mumia on Jailhouse Lawyers

Mumia Abu-Jamal's new book, "Jailhouse Lawyers," examines the phenomenon of prisoners representing each other in the struggle for human rights and the uphill battles of legal appeals. Mumia was sent to Pennsylvania's death row in 1982 for a murder he says he didn't commit - he has been fighting his conviction for nearly two decades and his name and face are - to many - synonymous with the injustice of our system.

I haven't had a chance to read the book yet, but I understand it tells the story of the work done by countless jailhouse lawyers around the country - himself included - in fighting for fair conditions and against unjust incarceration. He writes about the Prison Litigation Reform Act, which attempted to curb "frivolous" lawsuits but instead has silenced thousands of legimitate cries for simple human rights.

I know several people who have been jailhouse lawyers or "writ writers," and I've always found them to be natural leaders and the kind of people worth listening to. Those I've known are the kind of people you might expect to be drawn to the gig - they're smart enough to understand the complex tangle of our laws and they're usually doing this work in prison law libraries hoping to help others. They're great listeners and shrewd negotiators, and they've got great stories to tell.

From the book's introduction, by legendary activist Angela Davis:

As Mumia points out, if there is increasing respect for the religious rights and practices of people behind bars, then it is largely due to the work of jailhouse lawyers. In the state of Pennsylvania, where Mumia himself is imprisoned, one extremely active jailhouse lawyer profiled in the book is Richard Mayberry, who initiated many important lawsuits, including the case known as I.C.U. (Imprisoned Citizens' Union) v. Shapp, which broadly addressed health, overcrowding, and other conditions of confinement in Pennsylvania prisons.

Mumia wrote in a recent Q & A that he hopes the book raises the level of discussion in our nation about prison conditions and the human rights behind bars:

I hope that it gives insight to activists and those who are not yet activists, into the nature of US prisons and lockups, and gives insight into how some have found ways to continue the struggle for civil rights, for constitutional rights, and against the forces of repression.

Success may be measured by creating awareness about the existence of the book, and then discussion.

If it causes people to truly examine the nature of the prison industrial complex, and the way those within American prisons are dwelling, then that would be success enough.

Pre-order the book here, and listen to Mumia's frequent podcasts here.