individuals incarcerated at Albion and Shawangunk Correctional Facilities will be eligible to request free telephonic or in-person legal representation from PLS for Tier III misbehavior hearings. Our new DRU will be staffed by attorneys and paralegals who will assist individuals in navigating the disciplinary process, ensuring due process, and helping to protect your rights.

This initiative is a step toward improving fairness and justice within the DOCCS disciplinary system by making sure that disciplinary proceedings comply with statutory and constitutional law. Our goal is to improve access to fair and meaningful representation for people incarcerated at the selected facilities.

1. Notice Attached to Misbehavior Report
   When you receive a Tier III misbehavior report at the selected facilities, it will include a Tier Assistance Form. You must indicate on the Tier Assistance Form that you want legal representation and attend the commencement of the hearing to indicate your desire for legal representation on the record. 

NOTE: A separate notice will be circulated at the pilot facilities, posted in housing units, and the general and law libraries.  This notice will include PLS’ DRU contact information, including a dedicated phone number and instructions for requesting help. You’ll be asked to provide details such as:

1. • Date, time, and location of the incident
   • The charges against you
   • A brief description of the incident
2. Opportunity to Call PLS
   After the misbehavior report and Tier Assistance Form is served, and you attend the commencement of the hearing and declare such, DOCCS will postpone the hearing and will provide you with access to a phone so you can contact PLS’ DRU as soon as possible and provide PLS with the above information.
3. Case Review and Legal Call
   If PLS agrees to represent you, PLS will contact the facility via the disciplinary office mailbox pursuant to Department Directive #4932 to request documents and schedule a confidential legal call.
4. PLS Receives Documents & Scheduling of Legal Call
   Upon the receipt of the PLS notice to the facility disciplinary office mailbox, DOCCS will send the misbehavior report (MBR) and all other relevant disciplinary documents, videos and photographs pursuant to Department Directive #4932, to a special PLS email address listed on the Notice, so we can review your case. After review of the documents PLS will work with DOCCS pilot facilities to schedule a confidential legal call with you as soon as possible.
5. What Representation Includes
   If PLS agrees to represent you, we will do so for the disciplinary hearing itself. Please note:
   • Representation at the hearing does not guarantee representation on appeal.
     A separate decision will be made about whether PLS can assist with an appeal, and you will be notified in a timely manner.

• • Representation is not automatic. Due to limited resources, PLS cannot take every case. Each request will be reviewed individually.
  • All PLS services are free.
  • If you are incarcerated at one of the two selected facilities and receive a Tier III misbehavior report, DOCCS will serve you with the misbehavior report and the Tier Assistance Form, which provides you the opportunity to check yes for legal representation.  You must attend the commencement of the hearing and indicate your desire for legal representation on the record.