Prisoners’ Access to Justice: Exploring Legal, Medical, and Educational Rights
Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014
University of California, Irvine School of Law
Prisoners throughout the country are often deprived of access to basic needs including legal, medical, and juvenile education services. In this symposium, UCI Law will bring together legal and medical experts, with ex-prisoners. After ex-prisoners introduce each topic by referencing their experience of access, or lack of access, the experts will discuss what rights exists in prison and whether prisoners currently have access to those rights. Panels will also address what steps can be taken to fill gaps between the rights, and the current access to those rights. With time reserved for questions this will be an interactive symposium aimed at practicing attorneys, law enforcement, academia, and students. For more information on our schedule or tentative speakers, please see below.
Hosted by Orange County Human Rights Association (OCHRA), a UC Irvine School of Law student organization
Registration: This event is free and open to the public, but please RSVP online here to ensure a seat.
Schedule
Tentative as of Feb. 12, 2014
Tuesday, Feb. 18, 12:00–1:00 p.m. Introduction to Symposium: Law faculty will discuss the challenges incarcerated persons face when accessing their medical, legal, and educational rights.
Saturday, Feb. 22: Symposium (7 hours of MCLE available)
8:30-9:00 a.m. Registration and Breakfast
9:00–9:20 a.m. Welcoming Remarks and Introduction by Sharon Dolovich, UCLA School of Law
9:20–10:50 a.m. Panel 1: Rights and Access to Legal Services
Moderator: Margo Schlanger, University of Michigan Law School
Introduction: Steven Bell, Western State College of Law
- John Boston, Prisoners’ Rights Project of the Legal Aid Society
- Erwin Chemerinsky, UC Irvine School of Law
- Melanie Velez, Southern Center for Human Rights
10:50-11:00 a.m. Break
11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Panel 2: Rights and Access to Physical Medical Services
Moderator: Carrie Hempel, UC Irvine School of Law
Introduction: Gloria Killian, Action Committee for Women in Prison
- Priscilla Ocen, Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
- Donald Specter, Prison Law Office
- Donna Strugar-Fritsch, Health Management Associates
12:30-12:45 p.m. Break
12:45-1:30 p.m. Keynote: Elizabeth Alexander, Law Offices of Elizabeth Alexander
Lunch will be provided at this time
1:30-3:00 p.m. Panel 3: Rights and Access to Mental Health Services
Moderator: Hon. Gretchen N. Rohr, Superior Court of the District of Columbia
Introduction: John Dannenberg, Spectrum Systems SF
- James Austin, JFA Institute
- Peter Eliasberg, ACLU of Southern California
- Craig Haney, UC Santa Cruz
3:00-3:10 p.m. Break
3:10-4:40 p.m. Panel 4: Juvenile Rights and Access to Education
Moderator: Keramet Reiter, University of California, Irvine
Introduction: Tung Nguyen and Luis Garcia
- Sheila Bedi, Northwestern Law School
- Hailly T.N. Korman, Center for Educational Excellence in Alternative Settings
- Benjamin Conway, Public Counsel
4:40-5:00 p.m. Closing Remarks: Lisa Daugaard, Deputy Public Defender, King County, Washington
5:00 p.m. Reception