The Ward M. Canaday Centerfor Special CollectionsThe University of Toledo |
Finding Aid
John W. Perotti Papers, 1979-1999
MSS-132
Size: 24 linear feet
Provenance: received from John W. Perotti
Access: open
Related Collections: Etheridge Knight Papers, MSS- 016, which also describes the experience of prisoners.
Processing Note: The materials in this collection were received in a state of extreme disorder and poor condition. Many of the papers were ripped, creased, and some even bare signs of scorching. The processor has attempted to impose order on the papers, but in cases where the papers were arranged by Mr. Perotti in notebooks or binders, they have been removed from the binders and kept in their original order.
Copyright: The literary rights to this collection are assumed to rest with the person(s) responsible for the production of the particular items within the collection, or with their heirs or assigns. Researchers bear full legal responsibility for the acquisition to publish from any part of said collection per Title 17, United States Code. The Ward M. Canaday Center for Special Collections reserves the right to intervene as intermediary at its own discretion.
Completed by: Maria Halovanic, Archival Assistant, Spring 2000.
John W. Perotti, born October 9, 1955 in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1973 he graduated from Lakewood High School and worked as a machinist, a construction worker and a labor organizer. In 1979, he was arrested and imprisoned for aggravated robbery. He has been incarcerated at Lucasville, Mansfield, and the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility where he remains serving a 22 to 60 year sentence.
Mr. Perotti is a former member of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). During his membership, he was an organizer for Prisoners' Organizing Project (POP), secretary for SWOGMB IWW Union branch and Internal Secretary for General Defense Committee, Local 3 IWW Union. He is also a member of the Prison Law Project of the National Lawyers Guild, American Civil Liberties Union and Amnesty International. He is affiliated with various labor and political groups such as the Anarchist Black Cross Groups.
While still imprisoned, Mr. Perotti received the Marion Davis Scholarship Foundation Grant, a grant which he then used to earn a degree in Paralegal Science from the Paralegal Institute. He has litigated over one hundred civil, criminal and administrative actions, and has represented himself in civil trials in the U.S. District Court of Claims. His degree as well as his extensive interaction with the legal system has led him to be known in the prison community as a jailhouse lawyer. He has won suits against correctional officers and has also assisted other inmates in their court cases against correctional officers and the Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections.
Mr. Perotti cites penal reform as his impetus for his various litigations against the Ohio and the United States correctional institutions. His goals are to gain release from prison, to work and live productively in society, and to help bring about change.
Scope and Content Note
The papers are comprised mainly of litigations, court motions and depositions created over the twenty years of John Perotti’s incarceration at various penal institutions in Ohio, and have been arranged in six series: S1. Correspondence, S2. Scrapbooks and Notebooks, S3. Printed Material, S4. Issues, S5. Legal, and S6. Photographs.
The first series, Correspondence, consists of letters written to and from John Perotti by friends, family, lawyers and various political groups. Because some of the authors of letters were unknown, or they were identifiable by first name, nicknames or initials only, they have been placed accordingly in folders. Single letters, whose author could be identified by first and last name, were arranged alphabetically. Multiple letters written by a single author have been given their own folder. Letters between Perotti and his correspondents have been inter-filed wherever possible.
The Second Series, Scrapbooks and Notebooks, consists of daily planners as well as materials bound together by Perotti pertaining to law, education and the Paralegal Institute, and institutional policy procedures for various prisons. Original orders of the materials in the notebooks have been maintained.
The third series, Printed Material, is comprised of various publications relating to incarceration, prisoners’ rights, the government, democracy and anarchy. There are also newspaper clippings concerning Perotti's various litigations. These periodicals and newspaper articles help to establish a context for Perotti's cases, correspondence and activities while incarcerated.
The fourth series, Issues, is divided into subjects which range from institutional rule violations, prisoners’ rights, transfers, parole board hearings, mail rules and visitors. Included in the Issues Series are grievances, complaint forms and kites, which are correspondence between prisoners and prison officials.
The fifth and largest series is the Legal series, which is comprised of litigations and divided into four subseries: cases filed by Perotti, cases filed against Perotti, other cases relating to Perotti and Miscellaneous. The first three subseries consist of depositions, motions, legal correspondence, exhibits, and transcripts. Included in the subseries Miscellaneous are FBI files, blank legal forms and cases, notes and exhibits whose case number could not be determined.
The final series, Photographs, is a single folder series and contains pictures of family and friends.
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S1. Correspondence To Perotti, No name To Perotti, Initials only To Perotti, First name, nickname only To Perotti, A-K To Perotti, L-Z From Perotti, first name only From Perotti, A-K From Perotti, L-Z Bruce Gracely (Baby Girl) Mona Allyn, William H Brumfield, Paul CIA Carpenter, Barry Carro, Dean J. Clark, Sonya K. Clerk of Courts Dallman, William Dapice, John Day, Michael Hetherington, Sister Evelyn Incendiary Publications Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review Johnson, Mary E, Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney Kilroy, Mary Jo Klees, Pat Liesure, Linda Lynd, Staughton and Alice Martin, William Maynard, Rosina Ohio Department of Rehabilitation Perotti, Joan Poley, John D. Pope, Shirley Poulus, Paul and Rochelle Pierola, Albert Reichel, Timothy Renner, Richard Sapp, Sharon Shawnee State University Skaggs, Roy Slaton, D.E. (Reuben) Spiegal, Judge Arthur Stokes, Louis Swofford, Eric US. Department of Justice Wescott, Juanita White, Michael T. Wilkinson, Reginald Wolfel, Dennis Saved envelopes
S2. Scrapbooks and Notebooks Appointment book 1984 Appointment book 1986 Appointment book 1987 Appointment book 1988-89 Appointment book 1991 Legal Notebook #1 (1 of 2) Legal Notebook #1 (2 of 2) Legal Notebook #2 (1 of 3) Legal Notebook #2 (2 of 3) Legal Notebook #2 (3 of 3) Legal Notebook # 3 (1 of 2) Legal Notebook # 3 (2 of 2) Legal Notebook # 4 Legal Notebook # 5 Legal Notebook # 6 Legal Notebook # 7 Institutional Policy and Procedure Notebook (1 of 4) Institutional Policy and Procedure Notebook (2 of 4) Institutional Policy and Procedure Notebook (3 of 4) Institutional Policy and Procedure Notebook (4 of 4) Paralegal Institute Notebook (1 of 5) Paralegal Institute Notebook (2 of 5) Paralegal Institute Notebook (3 of 5) Paralegal Institute Notebook (4 of 5) Paralegal Institute Notebook (5 of 5)
S3. Printed Material Alternative to Imprisonment Amnesty International Bayou La Rose Breaking Men's Minds Coalition for Prisoners' Rights Counter Information Discussion Bulletin Federal Litigator Fifth Estate Green Anarchist Gorilla Law Journal, National Prison Project La Lotta de Classe Love and Rage Lucis Publishing The Myth of Humane Imprisonment National Law Journal Prison Legal News Prison Ministry Poems/Literature Redbook Store Red Dragon Resistance Revolutionary Worker The Sedition Committee SOCF Newsletter Social Anarchism The State Adversary Talks and Tales Monthly The Thought Toronto Anarchist Black Cross Tribunal Reflections United Nations Publications The Writing of Bobby Sands Newspaper Clippings Miscellaneous (1 of 2) Miscellaneous (2 of 2)
S4. Issues AC Materials AC Placement Access to Materials Appeal to RIB Hearing, 1991 Appeal to RIB Hearing, 1992 Chandler #180-951 Clemency Application Confiscation of Property Commissary Contraband Grievances/ Complaints (1 of 4) Grievances/ Complaints (2 of 4) Grievances/ Complaints (3 of 4) Grievances/ Complaints (4 of 4) Human Rights Violations Indictments and Past Convictions (1 of 2) Indictments and Past Convictions (2 of 2) IWW, Correspondence IWW, Dues IWW, SOCF Papers IWW, Printed Materials (1 of 2) IWW, Printed Materials (2 of 2) Kites Level 3 Mail (1 of 2) Mail (2 of 2) Mansfield Rules Medication Parole Board Power of Attorney, Living Will Stolen Magazines Transfer Visitors Work Programs
S5. Legal Cases Filed by Perotti Perotti v. Baker, 4:94CV231 Volume I Perotti v. Baker, 4:94CV231 Volume II Perotti v. Baker, 4:94CV231, motions Perotti v. Barry et al, 2-85-326, motions Perotti v. Bowman, C-1-90-549 motions (1 of 3) Perotti v. Bowman, C-1-90-549 motions (2 of 3) Perotti v. Bowman, C-1-90-549 motions (3 of 3) Perotti v. Brown, 89-CI-370, motions Perotti v. Carty et al, 1-86-007, appeal 86-4014 (1 of 2) Perotti v. Carty et al, 1-86-007, appeal 86-4014 (2 of 2) Perotti v. Chauboudy, CIV-85-419 Perotti v. Collins, 95-129, motions Perotti (Knecht et al) v. Collins et al, 96-36-82, Briefs Perotti (Knecht) v. Collins et al, 96-36-82, Joint Appendix (1 of 2) Perotti (Knecht) v. Collins et al, 96-36-82, Joint Appendix (2 of 2) Perotti (Knecht) v Collins, 96-36-82, Joint Appendix Vol. II (1 of 3) Perotti (Knecht) v Collins, 96-36-82, Joint Appendix Vol. II (2 of 3) Perotti (Knecht) v Collins, 96-36-82. Joint Appendix Vol. II (3 of 3) Civil Rights Complaints, Paulos et al v. Collins et al Perotti v. Dept. of Rehab, 84-07826 Perotti v. Dept. of Rehab, 85-08681 Perotti v. Dept. of Rehab, 85-10791, 85-09130 Perotti v. Dept. of Rehab, 89-12282, 89-12283 Perotti v. Dept. of Rehab, 83-04656, 84-07834, 85-10502 Servizi v Dept. of Rehab, 87-03481 Perotti v. Dept of Rehab, 89-01346, 89-10892, 89-10906, 89-10914 Perotti v. Dept of Rehab, 91-02397 Perotti v. Dept of Rehab, Miscellaneous Perotti v. Ferguson et al, 82-1672, motions and evidence Perotti v. Ferguson et al, 82-1672, Ferguson personnel files Perotti v. Lane, 83-CI-5-2980 Perotti v. Marshall and Mullins, 85-258 Perotti v. Morris et al, 1-87-0527 Perotti v. Morris et al, C-2-85-326 Perotti v. Morris et al, 1-88-0614, motions Perotti v. Morris et al, 88-6949 Perotti (Wolfel et al) v Morris et al, 1-89-175, motions Perotti (Wolfel et al) v Morris, 1-89-175, appeal 91-3607/3661/4142 Perotti v. Morris et al, 1-90-323, motions Perotti v. Morris et al, 1-90-323, evidence Perotti v. Morris et al, 1-90-323, notice of service Perotti v. Morris et al, 1-90-323, correspondence Perotti v. Morris et al, 90-3545 Perotti v. Morris et al, 89-FC-8133 Perotti v. Rubin, 85-8327 Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-584, trial transcript vol. I Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-584, trial transcript vol. II Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-584, trial transcript vol. III Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-584, trial transcript vol. IV Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-584, trial transcript vol. V Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-584, trial transcript vol. VI Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-584, trial transcript vol. VII Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-584, trial transcript vol. VIII Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-584, trial transcripts, depositions Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-584, trial transcripts, Perotti depositions Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-584, trial transcripts, excerpts Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-584, transcripts misc. Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-584, motions, 1983-1986 Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-584, motions, 1987 Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-584, motions, 1989 Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-584, miscellaneous motions (1 of 2) Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-584, miscellaneous motions (2 of 2) Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-584, evidence for Feb. 1987 trial (1 of 2) Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-584, evidence for Feb. 1987 trial (2 of 2) Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-584, grievances filed Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-584, correspondence Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-584, miscellaneous Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-584, appeal 87-3532/3533 Perotti v. Seiter et al 1-83-584, Brown Garnishment, 87-MI-005 Perotti v. Seiter 1-83-584, Civic Bank v. Brown, Perotti CIV-87-49 Perotti v. Seiter, 1-83-584, Swann Garnishment, 87J6-07-214070 Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-1098, trial transcript Perotti v Seiter, 1-83-1098, 2nd, 3rd motion for summary judgment Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-1098, motions (1 of 3) Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-1098, motions (2 of 3) Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-1098, motions (3 of 3) Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-1098, extracted exhibits Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-1098, exhibits Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-1098, correspondence Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-1098, questions Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-1098, appeal 87-3620 Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-83-1098, appeal 87-3620, correspondence Perotti v. Seiter et al, CIV-83-127 Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-84-1285 Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-84-1286 Perotti v. Seiter et al, 1-84-1286, appeal 88-8352 Perotti v. Seiter, Marshal et al, 1-85-1180 (1 of 2) Perotti v. Seiter, Marshal et al, 1-85-1180 (2 of 2) Perotti v. Seiter, Marshal et al, 1-85-1180, appeal 88-3159 Perotti v. Seiter, Marshal et al, 1-85-1180, appeal 88-3159/3412 Perotti v. Seiter et al, C-1-86-559, motions Perotti v. Seiter et al, 83-3542 Perotti v. Seiter et al, 86-3592 Perotti v. Seiter et al, 87-3380/3154 Perotti v. Seiter et al, 87-3533 Perotti v. Seiter et al, 87-4089 Perotti v. Seiter et al, 88-3308, 87-7382 Perotti (Wolfel et al) v. Seiter, 1-89-688, evidence for retaliation Perotti v. Shaner et al, 87-4024, motions Perotti v. Shaner et al, 1-85-1877 Perotti v. Shaner et al, 1-85-1877, Perotti deposition Perotti v. St. Anthony’s Hospital et al, 85-CV08-4443, motions Perotti v. St. Anthony's Hospital et al, 85-CV08-4443, records Perotti v State Employment Relations Boards 88-CI-001 (1 of 2) Perotti v. State Employment Relations Boards 88-CI-001 (2 of 2) Perotti v. Taylor et al, 2-83-856, motions 1986-1989 Perotti v. Taylor et al, 2-83-856, evidence and exhibits Perotti v. Taylor et al, 2-83-856, motions, miscellaneous Perotti v. Taylor et al, 2-83-856, depositions Perotti v. US Dept of Justice, 1-89-844, motions Perotti et al v. Wilkinson et al, 5:92-CV-0491 (1 of 5) Perotti et al v. Wilkinson et al, 5:92-CV-0491 (2 of 5) Perotti et al v. Wilkinson et al, 5:92-CV-0491 (3 of 5) Perotti et al v. Wilkinson et al, 5:92-CV-0491 (4 of 5) Perotti et al v. Wilkinson et al, 5:92-CV-0491 (5 of 5) Perotti et al v. Wilkinson et al, 5:92-CV-0491, exhibits (1 of 3) Perotti et al v. Wilkinson et al, 5:92-CV-0491, exhibits (2 of 3) Perotti et al v. Wilkinson et al, 5:92-CV-0491, exhibits (3 of 3) Perotti et al v. Wilkinson et al, 93-3630/3669 Perotti v. Wilkinson, APA, 97-AP-203, motions Perotti v. Wilkinson, APA, 97-AP-203, intoxication defense Perotti v Wilkinson, APA, 97-AP-203, Retroactivity, AC Grounds Perotti v. Wilkinson, APA, 97-AP-203, Legislative Files Perotti v Wilkinson, APA 97-AP-203, Post-convict. Retroactivity Perotti v. Wilkinson, APA, 97-AP-2-3, related cases Perotti et al v. Wilson et al Cases Filed Against Perotti Brooklyn, OH, v. Perotti, 82-CRA-211 Ohio v. Perotti, 88-CR-262, transcript (1 of 2) Ohio v. Perotti, 88-CR-262, transcript (2 of 2) Ohio v. Perotti, 88-CR-262, transcript, misc. Ohio v. Perotti, 88-CR-262, transcript of proceedings, voir dire Ohio v. Perotti, 88-CR-262, Reference notes Ohio v. Perotti, 88-CR-262, motions (1 of 2) Ohio v. Perotti, 88-CR-262, motions (2 of 2) Ohio v. Perotti, CA 1564 Ohio v. Perotti, CA1586 Ohio v. Perotti, CR-85-317 Ohio v. Perotti, 94-1595 Others Cases Relating to Perotti Benjamin v. Jacobson et al, 75-CIV-3073 Dapice et al v Seiter et al, 1-86-1245 Farmer v. Marshall, 1-84-1938 Hampton v. Hobbs, 96-3524 Hill v. Neal et al, 82-3817 Knecht v. Voinovich, 1-92-189 Kuala v. National Labor Relations Board, 86-4154 Lagway v. Michael, (1 of 2) Lagway v. Michael, (2 of 2) Ledger v. Dept of Rehab, 91-05540/89-12330 Ledger v. Horn et al, 1-89-163 (1 of 2) Ledger v. Horn et al, 1-89-163 (2 of 2) Ledger v. Horn et al, 91-3331 Ledger v. Turkson et al, 1-89-153 Martin v. Morris Miller v. Reno 94-0277 Milner v. Wilson Ortiz v. Fairman et al, 88-CV-7509 Price v. Craft et al, 1-85-1714 Robinson v. Horn, 1-84-246 Scott v. Smith, 2-90-740, correspondence Scott v. Smith, 2-90-740, depositions Scott v. Smith, 2-90-740, case file (1 of 2) Scott v. Smith, 2-90-740, case file (2 of 2) Scott v. Smith, 2-90-740, incident reports Swofford v. Carter et al, 1-88-225 Wilkinson et al. v. Maurer et al, 91-CVH-01-763 Wilson v. Seiter, 2-86-1046 Wolfel v. FBI, 1-81-373 Wolfel v. Holbrook, 1-82-463 (1 of 2) Wolfel v. Holbrook, 1-82-463 (2 of 2) Wolfel v. Marshall et al, 1-85-1155 Legal, Miscellaneous Miscellaneous cases (1 of 2) Miscellaneous cases (2 of 2) Miscellaneous case notes (1 of 2) Miscellaneous case notes (2 of 2) Medical Records, exhibits FBI files Blank Legal Forms
S6. Photographs photographs |