The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs prisoners’ rights internship provides undergraduate students with firsthand experience investigating conditions in jails and prisons throughout the country.
Spring prisoners’ rights internships require a commitment of at least 15 hours/week and typically last 12–16 weeks. Internships are a combination of in-person and remote work. Fully remote internships are not currently available. Applicants must be able to receive academic credit or outside compensation (equivalent to DC’s minimum wage) to participate in internships at the committee. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until positions are filled.
Overview
The Prisoners’ Rights team brings cases and advocates on behalf of people sentenced out of D.C. that aim to challenge the unconstitutional practices of the DC Department of Corrections and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Undergraduate interns collaborate directly with our Prisoners’ Rights team to respond to requests for assistance and to advocate on behalf of people who are incarcerated in the DC Department of Corrections or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Depending on the needs of our cases and clients at a given time, undergraduate student interns should expect to do work in one or more of the following areas:
- Reviewing and responding to correspondence from individuals who are incarcerated
- Participating in legal calls with clients and intake calls with potential clients and/or loved ones of people who are incarcerated
- Visiting local jail/prison facilities to meet with current or potential clients
- Conducting research on relevant issues and policies related to incarceration
- Tracking and analyzing trends in unconstitutional conditions of confinement
- Drafting advocacy letters and creating self-help materials
- Participating in team meetings and providing administrative support to the team
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will possess the following skills and qualifications:
- Commitment to social and racial justice reform
- Awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations
- Excellent organizational skills
- Ability to manage competing priorities and to communicate effectively regarding the status of various projects
How to Apply
As noted above, applicants must be able to receive academic credit or outside compensation (equivalent to DC’s minimum wage) to participate in the Prisoners’ Rights Undergraduate Internship. If you have questions regarding these requirements, please contact wlcjobs@washlaw.org.
Applications should be sent to wlcjobs@washlaw.org and must include (preferably in one pdf) the following:
- Cover letter explaining your interest in the internship, your experience with/commitment to prisoners’ rights, your anticipated start and end dates, your anticipated hours per week and whether you will receive academic credit or outside compensation equivalent to DC’s minimum wage.
- Resume
- Brief writing sample that is no more than five pages (preferably it will showcase your ability to think critically and analyze an issue)
- Current transcript (unofficial is fine)
- Email subject should be formatted: “Last Name_Prisoners’ Rights Spring Internship.”
The link to a accessible version of the position is here.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until positions are filled.
The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs is an equal opportunity employer. Diversity is an essential component of the Committee, and we encourage all qualified
persons to apply. Applicants are accorded an equal opportunity for selection without regard to actual or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibility, personal appearance, matriculation, or political affiliation.