Reentry Unpaid Summer Intern

New York County Defender Services•New York, NY

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

NYCDS is a trial-level public defender office located in lower Manhattan. Since 1997, we have represented more than 500,000 New Yorkers accused of crimes in Manhattan’s Criminal and Supreme Courts. Our team provides superior legal advocacy and social work support for our clients while promoting systemic reforms to the criminal legal system. Full-time internship for summer of 2026 (May 26, 2026 – August 14, 2026). Support New York County Defender Services’ federally funded grant program that provides intensive reentry support to clients while incarcerated and upon returning home from incarceration in prison. Own a summer-long client engagement project to bring together NYCDS clients and spark further engagement and connection between NYCDS clients and the reentry team.

Requirements

Ability to work 40 hours per week on a hybrid schedule - in person in NYCDS’ Manhattan office Tuesday through Thursday and remotely on Monday and Friday
Enrolled as a full-time or part-time college student (community college, undergraduate or other adult students encouraged to apply)
Strong organizational/time-management skills
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
Excellent problem-solving and a willingness to think outside of the box

Nice To Haves

Personal, family, or community experience with the criminal legal system; or
Demonstrated commitment to eradicating racial inequity and other social inequities within our legal system

Responsibilities

Assist the Peer Advocates and Prison Advocacy Specialist in referring clients to programs, addressing conditions of confinement issues, and coordinating client support.
Conduct research into various community resources.
Create and execute a client engagement project from start to finish with the support of other reentry team members

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