Who we are:
The Vera Institute of Justice, founded in 1961, is a nonprofit criminal justice organization that strives to build just government institutions and safe communities free from the scourge of racism, white supremacy, profit, and inequity that is pervasive in this country’s legal systems. We are an “inside” lane organization that drives change at scale with ambitious public sector leaders who share our commitment to building anti-racist, reparative systems that deliver justice. We leverage our access to government to transform these systems and work collaboratively with stakeholders across many movements—including advocacy, grassroots, and grasstop organizations. Our role is to pilot solutions that are transformative and achievable, harness the power of evidence to drive effective policy and practice, and use advocacy and communications to change narratives and norms.
Vera has a staff of 300 people and offices in New York City, Washington, DC, 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.
Greater Justice New York
We are looking for a research intern to join our Greater Justice New York (GJNY) team. GJNY was launched as an interdisciplinary effort to tackle the drivers of mass criminalization and mass incarceration in New York. New York State is a microcosm of the landscape of incarceration across our country—arrests and the number of people in jail in large, urban areas like New York City are declining while a quiet but significant incarceration boom is under way in more rural, less populated parts of the state. We use research, policy, and advocacy to shine a light on injustices in all areas of the state and in all aspects of the criminal system—from bail to sentencing, parole, fines and fees, and more—and drive change through piloting innovative solutions and providing technical assistance. Our vision is a leaner, fairer, and more effective justice system where incarceration is the last resort, not the default, across all 62 counties of New York State.
Bail Reform Evaluation Project
New York State passed a historic set of reforms to our existing bail laws that went into effect on January 1, 2020. These reforms have the potential to transform many aspects of the criminal system, especially the bail decisions made in the courts and the number of people in jail pretrial. An evaluation of the process in which the new bail laws are implemented in local practices and their impact on local communities are key to identifying next steps of the reform. We are in the process of completing an ambitious, three-year evaluation study of these reforms, with a focus on six counties outside of New York City. The goal of our project is to document how the new bail laws are implemented, to measure their impact on local communities, and to examine any challenges to successful implementation and unintended consequences that arise.
What you’ll do
The intern will work closely with researchers on the Greater Justice New York team on various aspects of the Bail Reform Evaluation Project. Specific duties and responsibilities include the following:
- Communicating with outside partners to coordinate data collection;
- Developing and implementing a follow-up strategy for non-responders, including email and phone;
- Creating and maintaining a system for organizing and updating data received from outside partners;
- Assisting in cleaning and organizing data received and contributing to quantitative analysis;
- Participating in regular meetings of the project team, providing updates and contributing to discussion as necessary.
What qualifications you’ll need
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills;
- Comfort communicating with outside partners to ask for information;
- Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail;
- Access to computer with reliable WIFI capabilities;
- Ability to manage timely and accurate data collection;
- Ability to show initiative, ask questions, and adapt to changing priorities;
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Microsoft Excel;
- Interest in criminal justice reform and strong commitment to social and racial justice.
Schedule
The intern should be available to work up to 20 hours per week for six months, with the opportunity to continue working for up to one year. Start and end dates are flexible.
Compensation
Compensation is commensurate with educational background and work or other experience. Applicants may choose to receive academic credit for an internship/externship. 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 cover letter and resume. In you cover letter, please explain why you are passionate about criminal justice reform and what you hope to gain from this internship. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Online submission in PDF format (through Vera’s careers page) is preferred. No phone calls, please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.
If necessary, materials can be faxed or mailed to:
ATTN: Human Resources / GJNY Research Intern
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.
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 div
Compensation and Benefits:
The compensation range for this position is $16-$25 hourly. Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to experience and performance. The salary range listed is just one component of Vera Institute’s total compensation package for employees. As an employer of choice in our field, supporting Vera staff—both personally and professionally—is a priority.
Applications may also be faxed to:
ATTN: People Resources / Research Intern, Greater Justice New York
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.
As a federal contractor, and 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, 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
