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Spring 2026 - Intern, Reshaping Prosecution

Brooklyn, New York, United States; Los Angeles, California, United States; New Orleans, Louisiana, United States; Remote

About the team:

The Reshaping Prosecution Program is dedicated to transforming what it means to be a prosecutor by focusing on the dignity of all people impacted by the criminal justice system. Prosecutors play a critical, but often hidden, role in mass incarceration as one of the most powerful actors in the criminal justice system. They decide who to charge with a crime, what crime to charge, whether to detain someone in jail pending trial, and what sentence to recommend if there is a conviction. Yet, despite this immense power, prosecutors have largely not been the focus of criminal justice reform efforts until recently. Our team helps prosecutors across the country work to end mass incarceration, pursue racial equity, and be more transparent with the communities they serve. 

About the role:

This position will focus on supporting Reshaping Prosecution’s Director to develop a flagship report on highlighting wins and challenges in the past 10 years of the reform prosecution movement across the country. The Reshaping Prosecution intern will conduct policy landscape research, draft case studies, help to synthesize qualitative research, and draft written content for key stakeholders in the reform prosecution movement.

Schedule

  • The intern should be available to work up to 10 hours per week during the fall and spring semester. The dates will be between December 8, 2025 and April 30th, 2026, 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. 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 a resume.  

What you'll do:

Conduct landscape analysis on District Attorney’s offices, Chief Prosecutors, platforms, wins, challenges and lessons learned.  

  • Identifying key issues stakeholders advocate and work on within specific counties/states
  • Research/review of websites, reports, academic journals, newspaper articles for platforms, policies, and evaluations of reforms
  • Partner with project researchers to algin landscape analysis with qualitative research findings 

Draft written content for report, case studies 

  • Support project report content development & drafting for submission

Other duties as required 

  • Supporting with internal/external meeting notetaking
  • Supporting with light administrative tasks as needed  

What qualifications are we looking for?

  • Interest in the criminal legal system.
  • Understanding of literature reviews, landscape analyses.
  • Demonstrated experience writing case studies/reports on the criminal legal system/practitioners/people directly impacted by the criminal legal system.   

Preferred: 

  • Education in public policy, social work, political science, criminal justice, or related field; or equivalent work experience.
  • Lived experience as a person directly impacted by the criminal legal system.
  • Strong interest in racial justice advocacy. 

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities you'll bring: 

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

Technical knowledge we need you to be prepared to use:

  • Microsoft Office Suite

Location:

Please note this role will report to our Brooklyn, NY, Washington, D.C., New Orleans, LA, or Los Angeles, CA office, or can be remotely located.

Schedule:

The intern should be available to work up to 10 hours per week during the summer. The dates will be between December 8, 2025 and April 30, 2026, 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 / Spring 2026 - Intern, Reshaping Prosecution
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.

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