Spring 2023: January/February – May (8-10 hours a week, 13 weeks)
Deadline for applications: CLOSED
Summer 2023: June – August (15-20 hours a week, 10 weeks)
Deadline for applications: Rolling
Fall 2023: September – December (8-10 hours a week, 13 weeks)
Deadline for applications: Rolling
About Prison Journalism Project
The Prison Journalism Project trains incarcerated writers to be journalists and publishes their stories. We work with incarcerated writers and those in communities affected by incarceration to help them reach a wide audience through our own publication as well as through collaborations with mainstream media.
We believe that the deep reforms necessary to fix the U.S. criminal legal system can happen only by shifting the narrative. Intentional, responsible and well-crafted journalism from within the incarcerated community can break stereotypes, bring more transparency to a closed world, and ultimately drive change.
Internship Description
This position will work directly with our editorial team to perform the following tasks and projects:
- Transcribe stories submitted by incarcerated writers
- Provide fact-checking, reporting and research on submitted articles
- Interns with extensive experience in journalism or publishing may have an opportunity to work on a special project. Some examples include:
* Develop a collaborative story idea, a targeted call for submissions and edit/produce the package for the PJP online publication.
* Edit/produce an existing PJP special project.
* Develop an idea for a resource to add to our Prison Journalism Toolkit for journalists.
Skills and Relevant Experiences
- Experience with a college newspaper or publication, where you have a track record in meeting deadlines and understanding production processes
- Must possess strong writing and grammar skills
- Must be a self-starter and a team player, with excellent time management skills. Attention to detail and consistency is a must
- Must possess strong communication skills and not be afraid to ask questions
- Must be able to accept direction/constructive criticism and work in a collaborative environment
- Must have familiarity/proficiency with Google Drive (Docs and Sheets); familiarity with Microsoft Word and Excel and Wordpress a plus
- Must be a (rising) junior or senior
- We encourage students who are personally impacted by incarceration to apply
How to Apply
Please send an email to internship@prisonjournalismproject.org and include the following details, answers and requested materials:
- Your first and last name
- Your preferred pronouns
- Your college or university & expected graduation date
- Your social media handles
- How did you hear about us?
- Which position/semester are you applying for?
- Will you be seeking a scholarship or sponsorship to support this unpaid internship? (Note: We are always happy to support applications for outside funding.)
- What are you studying? Please list any relevant courses
- Why are you interested in an internship at Prison Journalism Project?
- Why do you care about helping prison journalists shed light on the criminal legal system?
- (Optional) If you have been directly impacted by the criminal legal system, we invite you to tell us about it.
- Please include a PDF of your resume and cover letter
- Please include 2 relevant academic or journalistic writing samples
- Please use the following format for the subject line of your email:
[First/Last Name]: Editorial Intern Application for [Semester/year]
Prison Journalism Project (PJP) is an equal opportunity organization, committed to fostering an environment in which people of all identities are welcomed, valued and supported. We seek to create an organization and a publication with diverse voices and experiences that are representative of our society and the communities we serve, including currently incarcerated people, formerly incarcerated people, their families and friends and those who work in and around the prison system.