Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project

05/20/2026

Imagine being told you can no longer attend your weekly church service — not because you did anything wrong, but because of a blanket rule that ignores your situation entirely. That's exactly what happened to Christine DiCarlo, and we're fighting back.

Check out our latest advocacy effort to learn about what happened to Christine and how we're taking action against an unconstitutional policy.

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The Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project (PILP) sent an advocacy letter on behalf of our client Christine DiCarlo, a federal pretrial detainee and lifelong resident of Lackawanna County, challenging the prison's blanket policy of denying religious services to any detainee who has a "separatio

04/28/2026

In PILP’s first immigration habeas case, we helped our client find justice and reunite with his family.

The conditions in immigration detention centers have been under increased scrutiny of late, and we're seeing how vitally important it is to get people out of detention through habeas actions.

Learn more about our work at pilp.org

04/21/2026

The year 2025 brought new challenges, and PILP continued to work tirelessly to ensure that incarcerated people’s constitutional and civil rights were protected and advanced. In our latest annual report, you’ll read about the impact of our advocacy, the importance of our strategic litigation, and how our work brings accountability, recognition, and relief to our clients. Visit pilp.org/annual-reports to learn more

03/16/2026

The Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project (PILP) filed a federal civil rights complaint against York County and its former medical provider, PrimeCare Medical, Inc., alleging that systemic failures led an incarcerated man, Willie Cunningham, to suffer life-threatening sepsis and permanent internal damage after nursing staff ignored his severe appendicitis symptoms for four days. Many thanks to and for sharing Mr. Cunningham's story.

11/20/2025

We are so incredibly grateful to all of our sponsors for tonight's Annual Event & Fundraiser. Your support of our essential work is invaluable. We can't wait to celebrate our latest achievements with you all this evening.

It's not too late to get your tickets >> https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/pilporg/pilp-2025

11/14/2025

We're one week away from the big event.

You’ll hear directly from PILP client Graytz Morrison and attorney Evangeline Wright, enjoy refreshments, and connect with advocates and allies fighting for justice and dignity for people behind bars.

Tickets and sponsorships are still available! Seats are selling fast — reserve yours today and stand with us in this critical work.

https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/pilporg/pilp-2025

10/13/2025

PHILLY!

Our annual event & fundraiser is just around the corner.

GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY! >> https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/pilporg/pilp-2025

You'll get a chance to meet other PILP supporters, hear from our clients and attorneys about our important advocacy, and enjoy an evening out.

Visit >> https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/pilporg/pilp-2025

10/06/2025

Please join us in welcoming a new law clerk to the PILP team!

Jonas is a Law Clerk at the Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project, pending admission to the Pennsylvania and New York bars. His work focuses on prisoners’ rights and challenging state violence and systemic injustice. While incarcerated in New York, Jonas successfully litigated in state and federal court as a pro se plaintiff, including conducting an in-person trial in the New York State Court of Claims that led to a precedential decision on privacy rights violations of incarcerated individuals during medical sedation. He is currently the lead plaintiff in a certified class action challenging mental health discrimination by the New York State Department of Corrections. Based in Pittsburgh, Jonas is an avid pickleball player and lives with his dog, Bardo.

Learn more about Jonas >> https://pilp.org/jonas-caballero

09/22/2025

Now is the time to and get your tickets for our big annual event/fundraiser!

The event will feature a discussion about medical care behind bars with PILP Client, Graytz Morrison, and PILP attorney Evangeline Wright.

Buy Tickets >> https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/pilporg/pilp-2025

09/12/2025

Join Eastern State Penitentiary NEXT WEEK for the first installment of Justice 101 in their 2025-2026 series!

Our Deputy Director, Alexandra Morgan-Kurtz, will be joining a panel for an important discussion on constitutional rights for incarcerated individuals.

What do First Amendment rights look like for incarcerated people? The panel will explore how natural rights are upheld, or denied, in prisons across different states; the legal and ethical boundaries of speech, press, and religious expression for incarcerated individuals; and the transformative power of prison journalism and art in preserving human dignity and challenging injustice.

Register below!

This Constitution Day we pause to celebrate the First Amendment and its role in securing freedom and liberty for all Americans. But what does the First Amendment look like for incarcerated people? In this discussion, we’ll examine how freedom of expression is restricted and fought for within the A...