Incarcerated Mothers Law Project
For over 25 years, the VOLS Incarcerated Mothers Law Project (IMLP) has recruited, trained and supported a team of committed volunteer attorneys to provide free legal advice, information, and advocacy to mothers in prison and jail. IMLP helps mothers locate or re-establish contact with children; understand foster-care placement; understand pending proceedings, including adoption and termination of parental rights; improve communication with assigned family court attorneys; participate in family court proceedings; and plan for post-incarceration, including reunification. We provide language access to mothers with Limited English Proficiency that they cannot get elsewhere, by translating, interpreting, and helping them understand their custody orders and rights. We help clients focus on both today and tomorrow – increasing their understanding that how they enforce their rights now has an impact on future decisions for parental rights and reunification.
In 2020, in response to COVID-19 restrictions on visitation, the Project was forced to pause our services. VOLS is proud to have relaunched the IMLP in June 2022 through a system that regularly provides remote legal services to incarcerated mothers. We have since resumed in-person visits at certain facilities. With the help of our community and pro bono partners, VOLS IMLP now serves mothers at Rikers Island, Taconic Correctional Facility, and Bedford Hills Correctional Facility.
VOLS is committed to supporting mothers in prison or jail so that they understand and address their ongoing family law concerns. To learn more, please contact Stephanie Taylor, VOLS Benefits Law Project & Incarcerated Mothers Law Project Director, at staylor@volsprobono.org or (347) 521-5735.
Pro Bono Stories: Incarcerated Mothers Law Project
What's New: Incarcerated Mothers Law Project
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Incarcerated Mothers Law Project Resources
- The VOLS IMLP works in partnership with programs of The Osborne Association including the New York Initiative for Children of Incarcerated Parents; and the Women’s Prison Association including its Alternative to Incarceration Program; and Hour Children.
- Resources on criminal justice issues are found on Re-entry Net, through the The Marshall Project, The National Center for Incarcerated Parents; Prison Policy Initiative and Prisoner’s Legal Services.
- The voices of children of incarcerated parents are amplified through the work of Echoes of Incarceration.
- Televisiting is a way for incarcerated people to remain connected with their families and communities which can be accessed through Brooklyn Public Library.
- Sara Bennett is a photographer and her projects chronicle women during and after incarceration.
Incarcerated Mothers Law Project Stories
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Community Partners
This content has been prepared for general information purposes only. It is not meant to provide legal advice and should not be acted upon without consulting a legal professional. If you have any questions or require additional information regarding this or other matters, please contact VOLS. This may be considered legal advertising pursuant to the rules of professional conduct.