Intern, Sentencing Reform

About the team:

Vera aims to transform the criminal legal and immigration systems until they are fair for all. The Sentencing Reform project seeks to change excessive sentences that emerged in the “tough on crime” era of the 1980s and 1990s and are still prevalent. The Sentencing Project is working in New York, Illinois and Michigan to advocate for sentencing changes that deliver safety and repair harm through decreasing the use and length of prison sentences and increasing the availability of community-based sentences that focus on accountability. Vera’s assets of advocacy, research, and strategic messaging and communications make us well positioned to take on this work, in coalition with others, particularly crime survivors.

About the role:

The Intern will conduct research about sentencing reform policy and advocacy campaigns in the three target states as well as others as needed. The intern will assist the project in its messaging and communications work as well. The intern will report to the Director of Sentencing Reform.

What you'll do:

Policy research

• State, and local policy and legislative research
• Researching scholarly and media reports about campaigning for sentencing reforms
• Drafting memos about sentencing policy and current campaigns and suggesting areas for messaging and communications
• Assisting with special events and programming like workshops and training

What qualifications are we looking for?

• Undergraduate degree

Technical knowledge we need you to be prepared to use:

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite
• Zoom, PowerPoint, Microsoft Office Suite, Google, etc.

Location:

Please note this role will report to our Brooklyn, NY office. Vera interns and employees adhere to a hybrid schedule and are in-office on an alternating schedule. Full-time positions generally amount to 10 days per month. Part-time positions generally amount to 5 days per month.

Schedule:

The intern should be available to work up to 35 hours per week during the summer. The dates will be between June 5th and August 11th, with some flexibility to accommodate personal and academic schedules.

Compensation:

The compensation range for internships is $16.00 - $25.00 per hour. Actual compensation will vary depending on factors including but not limited to experience and performance. Applicants may choose to receive academic credit. For those who need to earn academic credit, Vera will gladly assist in working with the school or program to make arrangements and meet requirements.

How to apply:

Please submit cover letter and resume. In your cover letter, please explain why you are passionate about criminal justice reform and what you hope to gain from this internship.

Applications may also be faxed to:

ATTN: People, Place, and Culture / Intern, Sentencing Reform
Vera Institute of Justice
34 35th St, Suite 4-2A, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Fax: (212) 941-9407
Please use only one method (online, mail or fax) of submission.
No phone calls, please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

Vera is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status. 

Vera works to advance justice, particularly racial justice, in an increasingly multicultural country and globally connected world. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact, and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission. 

For more information about Vera, please visit www.vera.org.