Human Rights Defense Center

The Human Rights Defense Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Lake Worth, Florida. With 11 employees, HRDC focuses its efforts on advocating for the human rights of individuals confined in various detention facilities across the United States. HRDC's mission centers around supporting the rights of incarcerated individuals, encompassing those in state and federal prisons, local jails, immigration detention centers, civil commitment facilities, Bureau of Indian Affairs jails, juvenile facilities, and military prisons. They actively oppose the private prison industry and champion the freedom of speech rights of publishers communicating with prisoners, as well as the prisoners' right to receive publications and communications from outside sources. Beyond advocacy, HRDC publishes Prison Legal News, a monthly publication covering criminal justice news and litigation nationwide. They also produce and distribute self-help reference books for prisoners. HRDC utilizes various strategies to advance its mission, including litigation, media campaigns, outreach, public speaking, education, and testimony before legislative and regulatory bodies. For further information, please visit HRDC's websites: www.prisonlegalnews.org and www.prisonphonejustice.org.