Fall 2026 Undergraduate Intern, National Prison Project

ACLU - Internships•Washington, DC

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The ACLU seeks a Fall 2026 Undergraduate 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

Completed first year of an undergraduate degree
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)
Must currently be matriculated legal students
Must be based in the U.S. for the entire duration of the internship

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 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