The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs (WLC) Prisoners’ Rights Internship provides students with firsthand experience investigating conditions in jails and prisons throughout the country. This program is a hybrid internship program that is offered year-round. The Prisoners’ Rights Internship Program is typically designed for undergraduates; however, other students are welcome to apply if they are interested in a non-legal internship experience with the Committee.
If you are interested in applying, the internship posting will be found on our Careers Page with details on start dates, time commitments, and deadlines. If there is no internship posting on our Careers Page, we are not currently accepting applications.
While timelines for the program will vary based across year and term, the general internship application and programming timeline is below.
Fall Term: Application opens in June. Interviews will be conducted and offers will be made in July. The program typically runs from September to December, depending on intern availability.
Spring Term: Application opens in October. Interviews will be conducted and offers will be made from mid-November to mid-December. The program typically runs from January to May, depending on intern availability.
Summer Term: Application opens in February. Interviews will be conducted and offers will be made in March. The program typically runs from May to August, depending on intern availability.
Requirements & Qualifications
Applicants must be able to receive academic credit or outside compensation (equivalent to DC’s minimum wage) to participate in internships at the Committee. You should include information about how you plan to receive credit or outside compensation in your application materials. The internship generally requires a commitment of 20-40 hours/week for 8-14 weeks, although specific requirements fluctuate between seasons and applicants should see the specific posting to which they’re applying for details.
Internships are a combination of in-person and remote work. Fully remote internships are not currently available. We know that most students will also have a full course load, and we understand that academics will always come first. We will work with students to coordinate internship hours (remote and in-person) that work best for everyone.
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 and administrative skills;
- Ability to manage competing priorities, take initiative, and communicate effectively regarding the status of various projects;
- Ability to maintain a high level of professionalism, including effective communication, reliability, and adherence to company policies and standards; and,
- Ability to communicate in Spanish or other languages is desired, but by no means required.
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 D.C. Department of Corrections and the federal Bureau of Prisons. 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 D.C. Department of Corrections or the federal Bureau of Prisons. Depending on the needs of our cases and clients at a given time, undergraduate interns should expect to allocate their work time as follows:
- 60% of their time will be spent working on the Prisoners’ Letter Project. This work will include:
- Reviewing, organizing, processing, and responding to correspondence from individuals who are incarcerated;
- Managing client records and updating our client database;
- Fielding phone calls from clients, family members, and counselors;
- Creating self-help materials; and,
- Tracking and analyzing trends in unconstitutional conditions of confinement.
- 20% of their time will be spent on supporting our current litigation and investigation. This work will include:
- Scheduling and participating in legal calls with clients;
- Drafting and submitting FOIA requests on behalf of clients;
- Reviewing and analyzing client records;
- Corresponding with potential clients and/or loved ones of people who are incarcerated; and,
- Participating in team strategy meetings and co-counsel meetings.
- 20% of their time will be spent on other assignments, depending on the needs of our cases and clients. In the past, these assignments have included:
- Visiting local jail/prison facilities to meet with current or potential clients;
- Conducting research on relevant issues and policies related to incarceration;
- Drafting advocacy letters and press releases; and,
- Participating in team meetings and providing administrative support to the team
How to Apply
We are no longer accepting applications by email. If you are interested in applying, the internship posting will be found on our Careers Page with details on start dates, time commitments, and deadlines. If there is no internship posting on our Careers Page, we are not currently accepting applications.
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.