Fall 2026 Legal Intern, National Prison Project
About The Position
The ACLU seeks a Legal Intern in the National Prison Project of the ACLU’s National office in Washington D.C. This position may be remote or hybrid. This internship is for course credit only. Qualifying applicants must currently be matriculated legal students and must be based in the U.S. for the entire duration of the internship. The National Prison Project works to ensure that conditions in prisons, jails, juvenile detention centers, and immigration detention facilities comply with the Constitution, domestic law, and international human rights principles. The Project has successfully litigated on behalf of incarcerated people in more than 25 states. It is the only organization litigating conditions of confinement cases nationwide. Our priorities include reducing overcrowding, improving health care, challenging the use of solitary confinement, and increasing oversight and accountability in prisons, jails, and other places of detention. We also work to reverse the policies that have given the United States the highest incarceration rate in the world and led to extreme over-representation of people of color in the incarcerated population.
Requirements
- Second and third year law school students pursuing a J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school; applicants must have completed at least one year of law school before the internship commences
- A demonstrated interest in the rights of incarcerated people and a commitment to civil rights
- Outstanding legal research, writing, and communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to perform complex legal analytical work
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently as well as in a team. Ability to foster and contribute to a collaborative team environment is essential
- Strong computer skills, particularly web-based research including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (i.e. Word, Excel)
Nice To Haves
- Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
- Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
- Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts
Responsibilities
- Researching and drafting legal memorandum and briefing regarding the rights of incarcerated people
- Gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing current information related to prison, jail, and detention center conditions
- Researching and drafting prospects for new litigation and / or campaign advocacy
- Assisting with the drafting, production, and distribution of advocacy and public education materials
- Providing other litigation and advocacy support to supervising attorneys
Benefits
- This internship is for course credit only.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Intern
Education Level
Associate degree
