Join Us

The Illinois Prison Project (IPP) is a nonprofit organization in Chicago that seeks to reduce mass incarceration by providing legal services to individuals incarcerated in the Illinois Department of Corrections.  IPP focuses on novel and creative approaches to prison reduction and engages in public education, advocacy and direct legal representation.

The Illinois Prison Project seeks a dynamic, energetic Legal Support Intern to join us for summer 2026. The Legal Support Intern will provide programmatic and administrative support to the IPP team in an effort to reduce mass incarceration. This internship is ideal for Junior or Senior year students interested in pursuing careers in social work, lawyering, advocacy, etc.  IPP requires all team members to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Proof of vaccination will be required. Although the team has a hybrid in person/remote work environment, IPP requires this position to visit the office one day each week during their entire internship to help with in-office tasks.

Important Note: Unfortunately, IPP is unable to provide any amount of funding for summer interns this year. IPP will only consider summer interns who have their own independent funding and/or will be receiving school credit for the internship.

Responsibilities include:

• Document organizing and review: scan, organize, and synthesize case files for hundreds of incarcerated clients and non-clients
• Data management: input and track client and non-client data in our case management software, Filevine
• Client communication: assist with scheduling client legal calls, review client letters, and communicate with client’s family members to support case progress
• Programmatic support: assist staff with miscellaneous programmatic and administrative support including intake management, systems development, and client support
• Local office support: Visit the IPP office (located downtown) to sort, scan, organize, and send client and non-client mail at least one day each week 
• Administrative support: Regularly monitor, track, and complete staff assigned tasks
  

Desired Qualifications:

• Is able to work at least 20 hours per week from June 1 - August 7, 2026 during normal business hours (which are Monday through Thursday 9am-5pm and Friday 9am - 12:30pm) with some flexibility for potential evening/weekend events 
• Is able to visit the office (located in the Loop) at least one day each week during their internship to help with in-office tasks 
• Is exceptionally detail-oriented
• Has excellent written communication skills in English; ability to compose, edit, and proofread materials
• Has a reliable laptop computer
• Has previous experience working with printers and scanners
• Exhibits independence and self-initiative
• Has prior professional and/or lived experience related to experiencing incarceration; working to end incarceration; community violence, and/or gender based violence; and/or doing trauma-informed or anti-violence work
• Is motivated to learn more about Illinois' criminal legal system
• Has a deep commitment to criminal legal change in Illinois and social, economic, and racial justice
• Important Notes:
  
  • IPP requires all team members to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Proof of vaccination will be required.
  • Unfortunately, IPP is unable to provide any amount of funding for summer interns. IPP will only consider summer interns who have their own independent funding and/or will be receiving school credit for the internship.

Location: Candidates must live in the Chicago area for the entire duration of the internship. This position provides a hybrid work environment, including working remotely and out of IPP’s office at 53 West Jackson Blvd in Chicago, IL at least one day each week. 

Reports To:  Paralegal Supervisor 

Illinois Prison Project is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, pregnancy, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Illinois Prison Project believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success as an organization, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.

How to Apply:

• Please do NOT apply on Handshake.
• Please submit a resume and cover letter and writing sample (research paper or persuasive essay) as PDF documents via email to hiring@illinoisprisonproject.org with “Legal Support Intern” in the subject line. 
  
  • Within your cover letter, please include details about whether you have independent funding secured and/or if you are receiving school credit for the internship. 
  • Within your cover letter, please include a rough schedule that you’re able to commit to for the duration of the internship.
  • Please note: Incomplete applications will not be considered. 
• Applications will be accepted until March 13, 2026 and reviewed on a rolling basis. 
• Due to the large volume of applicants, we will not be able to reply to individual emails about an applicant’s status. No phone calls, please.