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Summer 2025 - Research Intern, Unlocking Potential

Brooklyn, NY | Washington, D.C. | Los Angeles, CA

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 they’re 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 doesn’t determine freedom; fewer people are in jails, prisons, and immigration detention; and everyone is treated with dignity. For more information, visit vera.org.

Vera has a staff of 224 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 equity—both in our outward-facing work and the internal culture of our workplace. We value a range of experiences in people’s educational backgrounds and encourage people who have been directly impacted by the criminal justice system to apply.

About the team:

Higher Education in prison improves the quality of life behind bars and increases opportunities post-release. These benefits extend beyond those completing their education. Communities that invest in postsecondary education in prisons see taxpayer savings and improved safety as a result of lower recidivism rates. Broadening access to college in prison has the potential to transform families and communities and ultimately disrupt mass incarceration. Vera’s Unlocking Potential initiative promotes access to life-changing education by supporting the scale and quality of college programs and developing strategies that reduce racial inequities in college access and completion rates.

About the role:

The Research Intern will support the Unlocking Potential team’s efforts to expand access to postsecondary education in prison and drive effective programs that support successful re-entry for people leaving prison. The position includes opportunities to gain macro level social skills, including but not limited to policy advocacy, teamwork, project management, and research as well as gaining a broader understanding of the impact of national and state-level corrections systems and policies. The Research Intern will be expected to take on supportive tasks that may include notetaking and being responsible for curating a bi-monthly news and resource digest distributed to colleges and corrections partners.

What you'll do:

Content Analysis and Evaluation Support  

  • Support evaluation efforts by compiling and synthesizing information for MEL closeout activities.
  • Assist in reviewing previous work to assess impact and alignment with program goals.
  • Organize and maintain inventory data to support evaluation needs.
  • Review for accurate documentation and categorization of materials. 

News and Resource Digest Curation 

  • Collect, review, and compile relevant news, research, and policy updates related to correctional education.
  • Organize and synthesize key information into a bi-monthly digest for distribution to colleges and corrections partners.
  • Ensure timely rollout of the digest. 

General Administrative Support 

  • Contribute to ongoing implementation efforts for various projects.
  • Provide support to technical assistance providers, such as notetaking and literature research.
  • Support other team activities as needed. 

What qualifications are we looking for?

  • Upper division undergraduate or equivalent experience working in an office or research/information gathering setting
  • Experience preparing written reports, presentations, or research summaries for diverse audiences
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines 

Preferred: 

  • Bachelor’s degree or current or recently completed Master’s degree OR equivalent experience working in an office or research/information gathering setting
  • Familiarity with the US criminal justice system
  • Some experience using research methods in academic or applied settings
  • Experience curating newsletters or resource materials
  • Relevant lived experience 

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities you'll bring: 

  • Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
  • Strong attention to detail
  • High level of organization
  • Ability to be self-directed, to independently problem-solve, and to take initiative
  • Strong orientation towards learning
  • Ability to analyze and think critically, to actively collaborate with coworkers, to develop and exercise judgement and make substantive contributions  

Technical knowledge we need you to be prepared to use:

  • Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 

Location:

Please note this role will report to our Brooklyn, NY, Washington, D.C., or Los Angeles, CA 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 20 hours per week during the summer. The dates will be between June 2nd and August 8th, 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 / Summer 2025 - Research Intern, Unlocking Potential
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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