Position Vacancy

Prisoner Rights Advocate - Alaska Prison Project

The American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska Foundation invites applications for the position of Prisoner Rights Advocate. The ACLU of Alaska Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of the individual rights of all Alaskans under the U.S. and Alaska Constitutions. We are affiliated with the American Civil Liberties Union, the nation’s oldest and largest organization dedicated to advocacy, public education, and litigation in support of civil rights and civil liberties. The ACLU of Alaska Foundation is a friendly, fast-paced environment with employees committed to the cause of civil liberties.

Position Description

The primary initial responsibilities of the Prisoner Rights Advocate will be to research and produce two human rights reports. The first will document and evaluate Alaska prison conditions in light of applicable human rights standards. Upon completion, a follow-on report will analyze the legal barriers ex-offenders face after prison as they attempt to reintegrate into society.

In addition, the Prisoner Rights Advocate will have responsibility, in coordination with the Staff Attorney, for administering the ACLU of Alaska Foundation’s intake system relating to inquiries and complaints from prisoners.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Devise a project to document and evaluate Alaska prison conditions in light of constitutional and human rights standards. Based on preliminary research, the focus of this exercise will be on prisoner access to health care and rehabilitative services and the mental health effects of the use of punitive segregation; prepare a comprehensive report based on this research making specific recommendations, if appropriate, for bringing Alaska into compliance with constitutional and human rights standards; in collaboration with affiliate staff, devise and implement advocacy strategy to implement recommendations.
• Devise a project to document and evaluate the post-release legal barriers ex-offenders, particularly Alaska Natives, face as they attempt to reintegrate into society (sometimes called “collateral consequences of criminal convictions”), in light of constitutional and human rights standards; prepare a comprehensive report on the findings of this research making specific recommendations, if appropriate, for bringing Alaska into compliance with constitutional and human rights standards; in collaboration with affiliate staff, devise and implement an advocacy strategy to implement recommendations.
• In coordination with the Staff Attorney, evaluate and dispose of all prison intake inquiries on a timely basis; supervise non-attorney volunteers involved in handling inquiries and complaints from prisoners;
• Assist the Staff Attorney and volunteer attorneys with all prison-related ACLU of Alaska Foundation litigation; monitor non-ACLU cases relevant to the organization’s prisoner rights mission;
• Prepare reports of program activities and grant reporting as necessary;
• Communicate with the national ACLU and other state affiliates regarding prison- and human rights-related issues;
• Articulate, both orally and in writing, ACLU views to the public and the media on prison- and human rights-related issues;
• Travel may be required to attend local, regional or national meetings, for case-related reasons, or for research or client visits to Alaska correctional facilities throughout the state or in Arizona;
• Other related duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated commitment to the mission of the ACLU or the advancement of civil liberties under the U.S. and Alaska Constitutions;
• Broad understanding of constitutional law and issues related to basic civil liberties and prisoners’ rights in particular; an understanding of basic human rights standards and/or criminal law and procedure is preferred;
• Demonstrated ability to write clearly, precisely and creatively; strength in editing and proofreading; demonstrated ability to communicate well, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to work independently as a self-starter and as a member of a team with colleagues and volunteers;
• Strong organizational and administrative skills, including the ability to plan in advance and to manage several projects simultaneously;
• Strong skills in use of database management, word processing, desktop publishing, and spreadsheet software;
• Knowledge of and commitment to living in Alaska.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

• Salary is commensurate with experience within parameters of Alaska non-profit environment; excellent benefits.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

• Please send letter of interest, resume, three references, and writing sample researched and written solely by applicant to:

Jeffrey A. Mittman, Executive Director
ACLU of Alaska Foundation
P.O. Box 201844
Anchorage, AK 99520

Applications may also be submitted by fax to 907-258-0288 or by email to akclu@akclu.org. Such submissions should include “Prisoner Rights Advocate applicant” in the reference field and all attachments should be in Word or .pdf format.

Application deadline is June 30, 2008, but applications will begin to be reviewed upon receipt.

The ACLU of Alaska is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer. All interested individuals, including racial and ethnic minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and LGBT persons are encouraged to apply.