Prisoner Rights Legal Advocacy

Protecting the Rights and Dignity of the Incarcerated
As a dedicated civil rights attorney, I represent incarcerated individuals whose constitutional and human rights have been violated behind bars. My practice is rooted in the belief that justice must extend to everyone—regardless of their conviction status.

Incarcerated people retain the right to be free from abuse, to receive adequate medical and mental health care, to practice their religion, and to live in humane conditions. When these rights are ignored or violated, I step in to hold institutions and officials accountable.

Legal Representation for the Incarcerated

My work includes:

  • Challenging Inhumane Conditions
    Filing civil rights lawsuits against jails and prisons that subject people to overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, or unsafe environments.

  • Medical and Mental Health Neglect
    Representing clients who have suffered due to denial of adequate medical care, delayed treatment, or lack of access to necessary mental health support.

  • Excessive Force and Staff Misconduct
    Pursuing justice in cases involving physical abuse, retaliation, or use of excessive force by correctional officers.

  • Solitary Confinement and Isolation
    Advocating for individuals subjected to prolonged or unnecessary solitary confinement, particularly those with disabilities or mental illness.

  • Disability and Religious Rights in Custody
    Enforcing compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and defending the right to religious accommodation within carceral settings.

Why I Do This Work

Every person deserves dignity. Incarcerated individuals often face overwhelming barriers to asserting their rights, and systemic abuse thrives in the shadows. My mission is to shine a light on these injustices and to ensure that correctional systems are held to constitutional standards.

Whether it's litigating on behalf of someone denied cancer treatment, investigating retaliation against whistleblowers inside prisons, or fighting solitary confinement policies that violate international norms—I bring persistence, compassion, and strategy to every case.

At Minakan-Stafford Law Group, we help individuals and families navigate the immigration system with dignity, strength, and hope.

Our immigration practice is rooted in the belief that every person deserves safety, stability, and the opportunity to build a future. Whether you’re seeking asylum, facing deportation, applying for legal status, or trying to reunite with your family, we are here to stand beside you and fight for your rights.

We represent clients in a wide range of immigration matters, including:

  • Removal (deportation) defense

  • Asylum and humanitarian relief

  • Family-based immigration

  • Adjustment of status and green card applications

  • Naturalization and citizenship

  • Immigration consequences of criminal convictions (crim-imm)

  • DACA, TPS, and special immigrant juvenile status (SIJS)

Immigration cases are not just legal matters — they are deeply personal. The stakes are high, and the system can feel overwhelming. That’s why Ying Stafford brings not only legal expertise, but also cultural humility, trauma-informed advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to each client’s future.

Whether you’re just beginning your journey or fighting to stay in the place you call home, we’re here to protect your future, empower your voice, and help you find a path forward.

Prisoner Rights