Mayor's Budget Cuts Should Include Phila. Prison System

December 22, 2008 | Angus Love | The Legal Intelligencer

Major Strasser’s been shot, round up the usual suspects." These words from Capt. Louis Renault in the closing scene of the epic film "Casablanca" sadly reflect criminal justice policies in Philadelphia for too many years.

All too often, quantity has replaced quality in the quest for public safety in our city. The usual suspects in our case are often people of color, the homeless, substance abusers and the seriously mentally ill. Are these the right folks to be targeting?

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Jailhouse Lawyers: Nuisance or Necessity?

September, 1993 | Angus Love, Esq. | The Pennsylvania Lawyer

Jailhouse lawyers are individuals who are usually self-taught, probably well-educated and have decided to utilize their legal talents on behalf of themselves and others seeking legal assistance in the prison environment. They often work in the prison law library and are occasionally paid officially or unofficially for their efforts.

Gary Rock is one of the best jailhouse lawyers in Pennsylvania. While serving a life sentence he has educated himself not only in the area of criminal law while fighting his conviction but also in many other important areas of the law, including due process and civil rights.

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