Spring 2009 INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
NOTICE TO UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
American Civil Liberties Union Foundation
National Prison Project, Washington, D.C.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) National Prison Project seeks interns for Spring 2009. 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 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 grown over 450% in the past 33 years with the predictable consequences 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 people, 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 nine black males between the ages of 24-30 is incarcerated. These trends have been exacerbated by the impact of the "war on drugs," with over half of all those incarcerated for 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.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Read correspondence from prisoners and track complaints to identify systemic problems.
• 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 verbal and written communication skills.

The spring 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.

HOW TO APPLY:
Please send an application, consisting of a cover letter and resume, to:

Mike Tartaglia
National Prison Project
915 15^th St NW, 7^th Floor
Washington DC 20005.

Or by email to: mtartaglia@npp-aclu.org

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.