Job Title: National Prison Project Internship Fall 2008
Organization: American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
Location: Washington, DC
Salary:
FT Regular
 
Job Description:
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) National Prison Project seeks
interns for Fall 2008. The National Prison Project is a special project of
the ACLU dedicated to improving conditions and upholding the rights of
prisoners confined in American jails and prisons.
OVERVIEW:
Founded in 1972 by the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Prison
Project seeks to ensure constitutional conditions of confinement in prisons,
jails, juvenile facilities, and immigration detention facilities. We seek
to promote prisoners rights through class action litigation and public
education. Our policy priorities include reducing prison overcrowding,
improving prisoner medical care, eliminating violence and maltreatment in
prisons and jails, and minimizing the reliance on incarceration as a
criminal justice sanction. The Project also publishes a semi-annual Journal,
coordinates a nationwide network of litigators, conducts training and public
education conferences, and provides expert advice and technical assistance
to local community groups and lawyers throughout the country.
 
The work of the National Prison Project has never been more vital than it is
now. The population in American prisons and jails has tripled in the past 15
years with the predictable consequence that facilities are overcrowded;
medical systems are overwhelmed; work, education, and treatment programs are
inadequate; and idleness and inadequate supervision lead to greater levels
of violence. As our national prison and jail population has climbed to over
two million persons, it has grown increasingly racially skewed. On any
given day, one-third of all African-American males are under some form of
criminal justice supervision, and one in every eight black males in their
twenties is in prison or jail. These trends have been exacerbated by the
impact of the "war on drugs," with three fourths of all those convicted of
drug offenses being persons of color. The consequences of these racial
disparities in the criminal justice system reach beyond the prison gates: as
a result of state felony disenfranchisement laws, an estimated 13% of all
black males are not eligible to vote.
 
The Project, with a staff of eight lawyers, has fought and continues to
fight unlawful prison conditions and practices through successful litigation
on behalf of prisoners in more than 25 states. Since 1991, the Project has
represented prisoners in five cases before the United States Supreme Court.
It is the only organization litigating prison conditions of confinement
nationwide on behalf of men, women, and children.
The NPP intern will be responsible for the following:
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
 Assist in the production and distribution of advocacy materials.
 Gather updated information related to prison/jail conditions.
 Assist with administrative duties as needed.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:
 Students enrolled in an undergraduate program for communications,
political science, sociology, or related field are encouraged to apply.
 Interest in criminal justice and a commitment to civil rights.
 Good organizational skills and the ability to work independently.
 Computer skills, including familiarity with the Internet and MS Office.
 Effective oral and written communication skills.
 
The fall internships are unpaid positions. Arrangements can be made for
community service, work/study or course credit. Internship schedules are
flexible totaling approximately 10-16 hours per week. Shifts run morning or
afternoon, between the hours of 9 am and 6 pm, Monday through Friday.
Ideally, candidates will make a 3-4 month commitment to the Project.
 
 
 
The ACLU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages
applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals.
 
The ACLU comprises two separate corporate entities, the American Civil
Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation. Both the American Civil Liberties
Union and the ACLU Foundation are national organizations with the same
overall mission, and share office space and employees. The ACLU has two
separate corporate entities in order to do a broad range of work to protect
civil liberties. This job posting refers collectively to the two
organizations under the name ACLU.
 
 
 
How to Apply:
Please send an application, including cover letter and resume, to:
Michael Tartaglia
National Prison Project
915 15th St NW, 7th Floor
Washington DC 20005.
 
Or by email to: mtartaglia@npp-aclu.org
Organization Web Site: www.aclu.org
 
Email replies to: mtartaglia@npp-aclu.org