About the role#
The National Prison Project works to ensure that conditions in prisons, jails, juvenile detention centers, and immigration detention facilities comply with the Constitution and human rights principles. The project focuses on reducing overcrowding, improving health care, and challenging the use of solitary confinement. Interns gain experience in prison reform litigation and advocacy work.
What you'll do#
- Research and draft legal memoranda and briefings regarding the rights of incarcerated people.
- Gather, analyze, and synthesize information related to conditions in detention centers.
- Research and draft prospects for new litigation or campaign advocacy.
- Assist with the drafting, production, and distribution of advocacy and public education materials.
- Provide litigation and advocacy support to supervising attorneys.
What you'll need#
- Enrollment as a second or third year law student pursuing a J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
- Completion of at least one year of law school before the internship begins.
- Demonstrated interest in the rights of incarcerated people and a commitment to civil rights.
- Outstanding legal research, writing, and communication skills.
- Ability to perform complex legal analytical work.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently or within a team.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and web-based research.
Location & details#
- This position is based in Washington, D.C. and offers remote or hybrid work options.
- The term is for Winter 2027.
- This is an unpaid internship for course credit only.
- Applicants must be based in the U.S. for the duration of the internship.
About ACLU
The ACLU is a non-profit organization focused on the defense of civil rights and liberties. Founded in 1920, the group operates out of New York and Washington. It works on issues including voting rights, criminal justice reform, and freedom of speech. The organization employs over 1,200 people.
How to get in at ACLU
Securing an internship at the ACLU requires timing and persistence. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere, so you apply among the first, as early applicants get seen before the pile grows. This helps you avoid the frustration of submitting applications into a void. You can also use Intern Insider to surface the recruiters behind the company roles so you can reach out directly to ask about the position or a referral, which materially improves response rates. Connecting with a human recruiter often provides more clarity than a standard application portal.
