In the 1960s, why didn't anyone help uneducated prisoners write petitions to the Supreme Court?

Question

Okay, so I'm doing my summer reading project and I'm so frustrated because I have to ask three questions per chapter and then answer them. Well, I can't seem to find some answers. So I'm going to start asking them on here and I would really appreciate the help :)

the book that I had to read is called Gideon's Trumpet by Anthony Lewis.

Answer 1

I disagree with your premise.  Certainly there have been individuals, as well as organization, assist illiterate prisoners prior to 1960.  There have also been organizations that may focus on particular types of crimes alleged to occur.

For instance, the ACLU would assist if someone was in jail because they were guilty of expressing their free speech or another right of the Bill of Rights.  The NAACP would help if it was an Afro-American.  There were many organizations that prisoners could appeal to for help.

Was there enough help then or now to go around?  Nope.

Gideon's Trumpet is a great book and chronicles only one person's struggle within the US legal system.  There were other successes even back then, but no best-selling books about them.