Convicts get counsel
By RICH LOVETT
Twelve KU law students are receiving first-hand legal experience by advising inmates of Leavenworth and Lansing penitentiaries.
The twelve are second and third year students enrolled in clinic in corrections and post-conviction procedures, a one-credit course in the School of Law, Paul E. Wilson, professor of law, conceived the idea and teaches the course.
"FOR A LONG TIME I felt that experience outside of class would be good for the students," Wilson said. "This is difficult in Lawrence where there is no urban population. It occurred to me that the Kansas prisons, which are close by and contain a great many people with legal problems, would be a good place to go."
Wilson requires each student or team of students to go to Leavenworth or Lansing twice a month. In the course of the semester each student or team talks with 15 to 20 prisoners.
Since they are not qualified lawyers, the student' aid to the inmates consists of legal advise and help in preparing forms and papers so the prisoners can get their cases filed in court. Wilson says that only about one in 15 cases has much chance of success in court.
"THE BIGGEST SERVICE our students do is to talk to these men and show them that someone
outside is truly interested in their problems," he said. "The prisoners are human beings with human problems. We have called on inmates who have served as long as eight to ten years and never had a visitor before."
The class advises only inmates who have no money. A prisoner must fill out a form called a "request for legal assistance." Then a class member talks with him and determines his legal situation.
THE PRISONER furnishes such background information as what offense he has been convicted of, when he will be eligible for parole, and details about his family and past.
Prisoners' problems are varied, Wilson said. Some feel they have been dealt with unjustly during their trials. Others want aid in filling out social security and other forms. Many have detainees against them which would require them to serve a second sentence for another crime after the original sentence has expired.
SINCE 1965, when the Leavenworth project began, the class has secured the withdrawal of about 25 detainers.
"The Leavenworth project turned out very well, apparently. It has been used as a model by five other law schools for programs of their own," Wilson said.
The Leavenworth project was a pilot study, Wilson said. It required arrangements with the Bureau of Prisons, a division of the U.S. Department of Justice. The Lansing program began last fall.
KU grad New receives DFC
A 1961 KU graduate has been decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam, for heroism in military operations in Southeast Asia.
He is Capt. Gary D. New of Russell. Capt. New received the medal for outstanding airmanship and courage. While under intense fire, he exposed himself to direct air attacks from hostile positions, an action which aided in neutralizing the enemy.
GERMAN PENSIONERS
The captain, a tactical reconnaissance pilot, is a member of the Pacific Air Forces.
BONN—(UPI)—About 8.2 million West Germans were drawing pensions on July 1, 1966, an increase of 1.3 per cent during the preceding six months.
Daily Kansan
Thursday, February 23, 1967
13
UDK-VOICE OF STUDENT ACTIVITY
MAJOR PROGRAMS NOW UNDER WAY:
PLOWSHARE-Industrial and scientific uses of nuclear explosives. WHITNEY-Nuclear weapons for national defense. SHERWOOD-Power production from controlled thermonuclear reactions. BIOMEDICAL-The effects of radioactivity on man and his environment. SPACE REACTOR-Nuclear power reactors for space explorations...far-reaching programs utilizing the skills of virtually every scientific and technical discipline.
Laboratory staff members will be on campus to interview students in the Sciences and Engineering
THURSDAY, MARCH 9
Call your placement office for an appointment.
U. S. Citizenship Required • Equal Opportunity Employer
SUA Officer and Board Applications
Available
NOW
Due March 8
SUA Office, Union
Engineers:
Meet Boeing
Campus Interviews Thursday and Friday March 9 and 10
The many challenging aerospace programs at Boeing provide a dynamic career growth environment. Pick your spot in applied research, design, test, manufacturing, service or facilities engineering, or computer technology. If you desire an advanced degree and qualify, Boeing will help you financially with its Graduate Study Program at leading universities near company facilities.
Visit your college placement office and schedule an interview with the Boeing representative. Boeing is an equal opportunity employer.
BOEING
Divisions: Commercial Airplane • Missile and Information Systems •
Space • Supersonic Transport • Vertical • Wichita • Also, Boeing
Scientific Research Laboratories