Prisoners’ Rights Internship (Spring, Non-Legal)

The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs (WLC) Prisoners’ Rights Internship provides students with firsthand experience investigating conditions in jails and prisons throughout the country. The Prisoners’ Rights Internship Program is typically designed for undergraduates; however, other students are welcome to apply if they are interested in a non-legal internship experience with the Committee.

Applicants must be able to receive academic credit or outside compensation (equivalent to DC’s minimum wage) to participate in internships at the Committee. You should include information about how you plan to receive credit or outside compensation in your application materials. See the section “Application Instructions” below for more details. 

This position is currently hiring for later Spring 2026. Our anticipated start for the Late Spring 2026 term is the last week of March or first week of April, though this is subject to change. Prisoners’ rights interns require a commitment of 20-40 hours/week and typically last 10-12 weeks. Internships are a combination of in-person and remote work. Fully remote internships are not currently available.

Applications for this role are due on January 21, 2026. Preference will be given to those who apply sooner.

About the role
The Prisoners’ Rights team brings cases and advocates on behalf of people sentenced out of D.C. that aim to challenge the unconstitutional practices of the D.C. Department of Corrections and the federal Bureau of Prisons. Undergraduate interns collaborate directly with our Prisoners’ Rights team to respond to requests for assistance and to advocate on behalf of people who are incarcerated in the D.C. Department of Corrections or the federal Bureau of Prisons.

Responsibilities
Depending on the needs of our cases and clients at a given time, undergraduate interns should expect to allocate their work time as follows: 

60% of their time will be spent working on the Prisoners’ Letter Project. This work will include: 

• Reviewing, organizing, processing, and responding to correspondence from individuals who are incarcerated; 
• Managing client records and updating our client database; 
• Fielding phone calls from clients, family members, and prison staff; 
• Creating self-help materials; and,  
• Tracking and analyzing trends in unconstitutional conditions of confinement.

20% of their time will be spent on supporting our current litigation and investigation. This work will include: 

• Scheduling and participating in legal calls with clients; 
• Drafting and submitting FOIA requests on behalf of clients;  
• Reviewing and analyzing client records;  
• Corresponding with potential clients and/or loved ones of people who are incarcerated; and, 
• Participating in team strategy meetings and co-counsel meetings.  

20% of their time will be spent on other assignments, depending on the needs of our cases and clients. In the past, these assignments have included: 

• Visiting local jail/prison facilities to meet with current or potential clients; 
• Conducting research on relevant issues and policies related to incarceration; 
• Drafting advocacy letters and press releases; and, 
• Participating in team meetings and providing administrative support to the team. 

Qualifications
The ideal candidate will possess the following skills and qualifications: 

• Commitment to social and racial justice reform; 
• Awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations;
• Excellent organizational and administrative skills;
• Ability to manage competing priorities, take initiative, and communicate effectively regarding the status of various projects;
• Ability to maintain a high level of professionalism, including reliability and adherence to company policies and standards; and,
• Ability to communicate in Spanish or other languages is desired, but by no means required.

Application Instructions
As noted above, applicants must be able to receive academic credit or outside compensation (equivalent to DC’s minimum wage) to participate in the Prisoners’ Rights Internship. You will be prompted to upload your materials below, including a resume and cover letter. In your cover letter, please be sure to explain:

• An explanation of how you will receive academic credit or outside compensation equivalent to DC’s minimum wage (you do not need to have your credit or compensation finalized when submitting your application– we just ask that you explain your plan for acquiring it).  
• Your interest in the internship;
• Your experience with and/or commitment to prisoners’ rights; 
• Your anticipated start and end dates (Please note that we coordinate our intern cohort’s start date due to an intensive onboarding process. As such, be sure to include your most accurate anticipated start date. We expect interns to be in DC for the spring term; however, our training is hybrid so for students whose semester starts later, please include the earliest time you would be comfortable starting remotely. Providing a start date that you know will work with your schedule (rather than the earliest possible date, for example) is preferred);
• Your anticipated hours per week; and,  
• An explanation of how you will receive academic credit or outside compensation equivalent to DC’s minimum wage (you do not need to have your credit or compensation finalized when submitting your application– we just ask that you explain your plan for acquiring it).  

Summer 2026 Undergraduate Intern, National Prison Project

About the Role

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 Team:

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. 

What You’ll Do:

The 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.

Your Day to Day:

• 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

What You’ll Bring:

• 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)

Future ACLU’ers Will:

• 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

Internship Logistics

• Location: Our internship program offers a limited number of remote or hybrid intern positions. This internship can be remote or hybrid and based in our Washington D.C. office.
• Time Commitment: Summer internships require a full-time (35 hours/week) commitment.
• Internship Duration: Summer internships span 10 consecutive weeks with a start date of May 26 or June 8.
• Stipend: 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 $20/hour (stipends are taxed)