2007 Fall Internship Opportunities
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION
National Prison Project
Washington, DC

The National Prison Project of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) invites applications for several Internship Opportunities for Fall 2007.

THE NATIONAL PRISON PROJECT:
Founded in 1972 by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the National Prison Project seeks to ensure constitutional conditions of confinement and strengthen 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 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. For black males in their twenties, one in every eight 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, far out of proportion to their share of drug users in society. The consequences of these racial disparities in the criminal justice system reach beyond prison gates: for example, 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 attorneys, 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 juveniles

INTERNSHIP OVERVIEW:
National Prison Project interns will help produce and distribute advocacy materials, gather updated information related to prison/jail conditions, and assist with some administrative duties. Candidates should have an interest in criminal justice and a commitment to civil rights as well as good organizational skills and the ability to work independently. Computer skills, including familiarity with the Internet, and an ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, are also essential. Students enrolled in an undergraduate program for communications, political science, sociology, or a related field, are encouraged to apply.

This internship is an unpaid opportunity however arrangements for college or community service credit are possible. Hours are flexible, generally in the vicinity of 8-10 hours per week with shifts running between the hours of 9am to 6pm, Monday through Friday. A 3-4 month commitment is ideal.

HOW TO APPLY:
Please send a resume and cover letter by email to: jkent@npp-aclu.org, reference [NPP Internship] in the subject line, or by mail to:

Attention Jody Kent
National Prison Project
915 15^th St NW, 7^th Floor
Washington DC 20005.

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.