E-ffective : An Assessment of Online Law Library Access on Appellant Case Outcomes

• In Event: Exploring Issues Related to the Legal Rights of the Incarcerated

Abstract

Movement towards electronic law libraries rapidly advanced in the 2000s and 2010s, shifting the traditional prison law library into the digital age with searchable databases. Despite the improved access to updated legal information, challenges with self-driven legal research persist for incarcerated persons, including legal literacy and navigation through complex case law. However, there remains limited empirical investigation of the impact of prison law library digitization on appeal outcomes for incarcerated persons, who have few options for external legal assistance. This study examines dispositions of appeals submitted by both self-represented and attorney-represented incarcerated persons across multiple state Departments of Corrections both prior to introduction of electronic law library services and post-implementation. Findings will speak to associations between access to electronic law libraries and case outcomes for pro se and attorney-represented appellants to better assess whether resources directed towards electronic law library services provide meaningful legal support to incarcerated persons. Priorities for prison law library funds will be recommended to optimize limited budgets with the most effective resources for the incarcerated population.

Authors

• Hayley Carlisle, George Mason University

• Evan Lowder, George Mason University