Prison Watch Intern

American Friends Service Committee • Newark, NJ

1d • Onsite

About The Position

In New Jersey, and across the country, Departments of Corrections are subjected to little external oversight of their prisons, juvenile detention facilities or county jails. “Access” to conditions of confinement is possible only via letters and telephone calls from incarcerated men and women sharing of their experiences. Youngsters in juvenile facilities also reach out to tell their stories. In responding to these testimonies and requests from within New Jersey and throughout the country, the AFSC enables individuals to self-advocate; leading to empowerment. The information the prisoners share is also valuable to AFSC’s advocacy and policy reform efforts.

Under staff guidance, the intern will be trained to respond to letters and telephone calls. The intern will also work alongside volunteers and other students to take testimony from men and women who have spent time in NJ prisons. The intern and student staff will then gather testimonies into our Quarterly publication “From the Inside Out”. The internship offers first-hand engagement with issues surrounding imprisonment, including race, class, the use of isolation, brutality and the quality and access to health care and other conditions of confinement within US prisons. Upon completion of this internship, the intern will have gained valuable insight into a closed, often secretive environment and will therefore be better prepared to be an agent of change throughout his/her career.

The American Friends Service Committee’s Internship Program is designed to engage undergraduate and graduate students with the world of public service and peace and social justice issues. As an intern you will work alongside AFSC staff helping to implement current programs and achieve AFSC’s mission. You will work within a framework of a work plan and learning objectives with the opportunity to participate in activities such as client engagement and in-depth research. Upon completion of the internship, you will have the opportunity to reflect upon and evaluate your experience.

Requirements

• Education: Current student, undergraduate or graduate level preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in multicultural contexts.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively and build mutually respectful relationships with co-workers, clients, and the public.
• Ability to work effectively and comfortably with Quaker principles.
• Self-motivated, detail oriented, well-organized, able to prioritize assignments and workload.
• Strong interest in a just criminal legal system
• Ability to work effectively independently and within a team environment.
• Experience with standard Microsoft Office and related technology.
• Must be capable of working under tight time constraints in a high-volume environment with multiple priorities.
• Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations, of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.
• Commitment to Quaker values and testimonies. Understanding of and compatibility with the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee including non-violence and the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.

Responsibilities

• Respond to letters and telephone calls.
• Work alongside volunteers and other students to take testimony from men and women who have spent time in NJ prisons.
• Gather testimonies into our Quarterly publication “From the Inside Out”.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees