Fall 2013 Legal Internship-ACLUF National Prison Project, Washington, D.C

Job Title:	Fall 2013 Legal Internship-ACLUF National Prison Project, Washington, D.C.
Organization:	ACLU
Region:	DC Metro Region
Description:	National Prison Project, Washington, D.C. For more than 92 years, the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation (ACLU), has been at the forefront of virtually every major battle for civil liberties and equal justice in this country. Principled and nonpartisan, the ACLU has offices in all 50 states, Washington, DC and Puerto Rico, and brings together the country's largest team of public interest lawyers, lobbyists, communication strategists, and members and activists in the advancement of equality, fairness, and freedom, especially for the most vulnerable in our society. The National Prison Project of the ACLU's National Office in Washington, D.C. seeks applicants for its Fall 2013 Legal Internship. OVERVIEW Founded in 1972 by the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Prison Project (NPP) seeks to ensure constitutional conditions of confinement in prisons, jails, juvenile facilities, and immigration detention facilities. It seeks to promote prisoners' rights through class action litigation and public education. NPP priorities include reducing prison overcrowding, improving prisoner medical care, eliminating violence and maltreatment, and increasing oversight and accountability in prisons, jails, and other places of detention. The Project also 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 Project also works to challenge the policies of over-incarceration that have led the United States to imprison more people than any other country in the world. This is an opportune moment to reform such policies. There is a growing consensus among criminal justice experts and policymakers that America's criminal justice system has relied too heavily on incarceration as the first and often only response for non-violent behavior that could better be addressed through other means. The population in American prisons and jails has tripled in the past 15 years and now approaches two and a half million. Facilities are overcrowded; medical systems are overwhelmed; work, education, and treatment programs are inadequate; and prison violence has increased. This failed experiment does not make us safer, it is not affordable, and it exacerbates the racial disparities that have long plagued the criminal justice system. The Project, with a staff of seven 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 juveniles. Currently, the Project represents over 50,000 prisoners housed in prisons and jails in 12 states, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. INTERNSHIP OVERVIEW The Fall 2013 Legal Internship requires a 12-16 week commitment. The internship is part-time, with weekly hours that are negotiable. Because this is an unpaid internship, students are highly encouraged to seek support for Public Interest Fellowship stipends. Arrangements can also be made with the student's educational institution for a work/study stipend or course credit. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The internship is designed to provide interns with the opportunity to learn about public interest law, with a prisoners' rights focus. Interns will work with the National Prison Project team, and gain hands on experience in all aspects of litigation work including but not limited Conducting research on prospects for new litigation, including both factual and legal claims. Participating in discovery and motion practice. Assisting in the drafting of motions and briefs. Assisting with trials and appeals. DESIRED EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS The internship is open to all law students. Applicants should possess: Excellent research, writing and communication skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including internet research. Demonstrated initiative to see projects through to completion. Demonstrated interest in social justice and legal issues. A strong interest and commitment to civil rights and civil liberties issues. HOW TO APPLY Applicants should send a cover letter, a resume, the names and telephone numbers of three references, and a legal writing sample of no more than ten pages to hrjobsNPPinternship@aclu.org - reference [NPP Fall 2013 Legal Internship] in the subject line. Please note that this is not the general ACLU applicant email address. This email address is specific to National Prison Project postings. In order to ensure your application is received please make certain it is sent to the correct e-mail address. You can expect to receive an automatic response that acknowledges the submission of application materials. Alternatively, applications can be mailed Eric Balaban American Civil Liberties Union RE: NPP Fall 2013 Legal Internship 915 15th Street, NW, Seventh Floor Washington, DC 20005 Please indicate in your cover letter where you learned of this internship opportunity. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their materials as early as possible. This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. It does not represent a contract of employment. The ACLU reserves the right to change the job description and/or posting at any time without advance notice. The ACLU is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, and veteran status. We encourage applicants who need accommodation in the application process to contact Recruitment@aclu.org. Correspondence sent to the Recruitment@aclu.org address that is not related to accommodations will not be reviewed. Applicants should follow the instructions above regarding how to apply. The ACLU comprises two separate corporate entities, the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation. Both the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation are national organizations with the same overall mission, and share office space and employees. The ACLU has two separate corporate entities in order to do a broad range of work to protect civil liberties. This job posting refers collectively to the two organizations under the name "ACLU."
Contact:	Heather Krasna
Phone:
E-Mail:	hrjobsnppinternship@aclu.org
Website:	http://
Closing Date:	August-01-13