Summer 2027 Undergraduate Intern, National Prison Project

ACLU - Internships • Washington, DC

1d • Remote

About The Position

The ACLU seeks a Summer Undergraduate Intern in the National Prison Project of the ACLU’s National office in Washington D.C. This position may be remote or hybrid. Qualifying applicants must currently be matriculated undergraduate 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.

The undergraduate intern will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience by working with the National Prison Project team. They will learn about creating change through prison reform litigation and advocacy work.

Requirements

• Students who have completed at least one year of their undergraduate program before the internship commences.
• A strong interest in the rights of incarcerated people and a commitment to civil rights
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently
• Excellent research, writing, and communication skills
• 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

• Assisting with the production and distribution of advocacy materials
• Conducting factual research and writing regarding the rights of incarcerated people and legislative movement
• Gathering current information related to prison and jail conditions
• Documenting and tracking complaints received from incarcerated people and responding with informational materials
• Providing campaign and litigation support to supervising attorneys

Benefits

• A stipend is available for those students who are lawfully authorized to work.
• Students who receive outside funding are eligible for a partial stipend to bring their total funding up to the level of the ACLU’s stipend amount for the summer.
• Undergraduate interns receive a stipend amount of $20/hour (stipends are taxed)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Associate degree