WINTER/SPRING 2025 PRISONERS’ RIGHTS INTERNSHIPS
The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs (WLC) Prisoners’ Rights Undergraduate Internship provides undergraduate students with firsthand experience investigating conditions in jails and prisons throughout the country.
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. See the section “How to Apply” below for more details.
Prisoners’ rights internships require a commitment of 20-40 hours/week and typically last 8-14 weeks (this does not apply to students in a “J-Term” program who we understand will work fewer weeks). Internships are a combination of in-person and remote work. Fully remote internships are not currently available. We know that many 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.
Winter Cohort: Our anticipated winter start date (for those in a J-Term program and for those on a quarter/trimester schedule): January 6th.
Spring 1 Cohort: Our anticipated spring start date (for students on a semester schedule): January 20th.
Spring 2 Cohort: Our anticipated spring start date (for those on a quarter/trimester schedule): March 31st.
We ask that students apply to the cohort that coincides best with their preferred start date. End dates for each cohort are flexible, and reapplication is not necessary to extend your internship through winter/spring. As such, please do not apply for multiple cohorts.
Applications for this role (for all students) are due November 15th. Preference will be given to those who apply sooner.
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. 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 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:
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- Reviewing, organizing, processing, and responding to correspondence from individuals who are incarcerated;
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- Managing client records;
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- Fielding phone calls from clients, family members, and counselors;
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- Creating self-help materials; and,
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- 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:
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- Scheduling and participating in legal calls with clients;
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- Drafting and submitting FOIA requests on behalf of clients;
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- Reviewing and analyzing client records;
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- Fielding phone calls from clients, family members, and counselors;
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- Corresponding with potential clients and/or loved ones of people who are incarcerated; and,
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- 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:
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- Visiting local jail/prison facilities to meet with current or potential clients;
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- Conducting research on relevant issues and policies related to incarceration;
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- Drafting advocacy letters and press releases; and,
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- 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 and administrative skills; and,
- Ability to manage competing priorities, take initiative, and 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. Please explain how you plan to fulfill this requirement in your cover letter. If you have questions regarding these requirements, please contact [email protected] and/or [email protected].
Applications should be sent to [email protected] and must include (preferably in one pdf) the following:
- Cover letter explaining:
- Your interest in the internship;
- Your experience with and/or commitment to prisoners’ rights;
- Which cohort you are applying for and your anticipated start and end dates;
- Your anticipated hours per week; and
- An explanation of how you will receive academic credit or outside compensation equivalent to DC’s minimum wage. (You do not need to have your credit or compensation finalized when submitting your application).
- Resume
- Application materials and email subject should be formatted: “Last Name_[Insert Cohort Type]_Prisoners’ Rights Internship.”
Applications for this role are due on November 15th. Preference will be given to those who apply sooner.
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.