Fall 2025 Public Policy Law Extern, Sentencing Reform (American University & Howard University)

Who we are:

The Vera Institute of Justice is powered by hundreds of advocates researchers and policy experts working to transform the criminal legal and immigration systems until theyre fair for all. Founded in 1961 to advocate for alternatives to money bail in New York City Vera is now a national organization that partners with impacted communities and government leaders for change. We develop just antiracist solutions so that money doesnt determine freedom; fewer people are in jails prisons and immigration detention; and everyone is treated with dignity. For more information visit.

Vera has a staff of 240 people is headquartered in Brooklyn New York and has offices in Washington D.C. Los Angeles and New Orleans. We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity in the workplace. We expect our staff to embody respect independence collaboration commitment anti-racism and equityboth in our outward-facing work and the internal culture of our workplace. We value a range of experiences in peoples educational backgrounds and encourage people who have been directly impacted by the criminal justice system to apply.

Who you are:

Vera aims to transform the criminal legal and immigration systems until they are fair for all. The Sentencing Reformproject seeks to change excessive sentences that emerged in the tough on crime era of the 1980s and 1990s and are stillprevalent. The Sentencing Project is working in New York Illinois and Michigan to advocate for sentencing changes thatdeliver safety and repair harm through decreasing the use and length of prison sentences and increasing the availability ofcommunity-based sentences that focus on accountability. Veras assets of advocacy research and strategic messaging andcommunications make us well positioned to take on this work in coalition with others particularly crime Law Intern will conduct research about sentencing law and policy. Specifically the intern will synthesize existingresearch about earned time laws in 50 states into a top line memo.

What youll do:

Policy research

• State and local policy legal and legislative research
• Researching scholarly and media reports about campaigning for sentencing reforms

Drafting memos about sentencing law and policy

Assisting with special events and programming like workshops and training.

Other Duties as Assigned

What qualifications are we looking for

Required:

• Currently enrolled in law school and successfully completed two semesters of law school study (2L or higher) or enrolled in Masters of Public Policy program at American University or Howard University.
• Successful completion of a course in Legal Reasoning Research & Writing;
• Enrolled in a course component or seminar to gain credits for externship. Selection of placement must be approved by program.
• Demonstrated ability to work with advocates government officials criminal legal system personnel practitioners and people who are directly impacted by the criminal legal system.
• Must be available to report to our DC office in Dupont Circle 2-3 days a week up to 20 hours a week.
• (Howard University Students) Students may not participate in an externship and a clinic simultaneously

Preferred:

• Education or work experience in public policy curriculum development and/or teaching social work political science criminal justice or related field.
• Lived experience as a person directly impacted by the criminal legal system.
• Strong interest in racial justice advocacy.
• Successful completion of a course in Legal Reasoning Research & Writing.
• Prior experience in a prosecutor or public defenders office.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities youll bring:

• Strong organizational skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.

Technical knowledge we need you to be prepared to use:

• Microsoft Office Suite

Location:

Please note this role will report to our Washington DC 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 extern should be available to work up to 20 hours per week during the Fall. The dates will be between October 27th and December 13th with some flexibility to accommodate personal and academic schedules.

Compensation:

Applicants will receive academic credit for the externship.Vera will gladly assist in working with the school or program to make arrangements and meet requirements.

How to apply:

Please submit a resume and a cover letter your cover letter packet please include the following:

• Cover letter that addresses your interest in working in justice reform and race equity
• Writing sample (no more than 5 pages of previously adapted near original writing or only lightly-edited work)
• Transcript (law school or grad school)

Transcripts may be sent to if unable to include in the packet.

Applications may also be faxed to:

ATTN: People Resources / Fall 2024 - Law Extern Reshaping Prosecution
Vera Institute of Justice
34 35th St Suite 4-2A Brooklyn NY 11232
Fax:
Please use only one method (online mail or fax) of submission.
No phone calls please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

In order to ensure a healthy and safe work environment Vera Institute of Justice is requiring all employees to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccine before their start date. Employees who cannot receive the vaccine because of a disability/medical contraindication or sincerely-held religious belief may request an accommodation (e.g. an exemption) to this requirement.

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 includingwith regard toeducational background and justice system contact and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission.

For more information about Vera please visit