Law School Legal Aid Clinics: A Sample Plan; Their Legal Status

Abstract

Four different needs gave birth to the Prison Research Council of the University of Pennsylvania Law School. First, a United States District Judge felt himself unable to give proper attention to the many letters sent him by unhappy alumni of his court. Second, The Bureau of Prisons of the United States Department of Justice was concerned that prisoners in its custody have adequate access to legal materials and legal advice. Third, an increasing nunmber of letters from prisoners seeking help were received by the Dean of the Law School, the law library, and the various faculty members whose publications or public activities had come to the inimates' attention. Fourth, a group of students who did not qualify for law review work on the basis of first year exams were not content to participate in classes and nothing more; they sought useful activity which could provide an enriching experience comparable to that of law review participation. This last element is by far the most significant. Any law school which has a nucleus of students willing to work at extending their legal educations beyond the classroom confines, and which is willing to support the students in an effort to do so, can establish a legal aid clinic. While the University of Pennsylvania Law School was fortunate in having the opportunity affirmatively presented to it, interested law schools should have little difficulty beginning.