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Prison Reform Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Recidiviz

State Partnerships Manager (Austin, TX)

Austin, TX · On-site

$81K - $82K/yr

You don't need to have direct experience with criminal justice reform but care deeply about doing ... We build tech that reduces the number of people in prison and helps criminal justice leaders ...

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How much do prison reform jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for prison reform in the United States is $52.92, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.00 and $85.10 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in prison reform roles?

Professionals in prison reform often encounter challenges such as resistance to change within established correctional systems, limited resources for implementing new programs, and balancing public safety concerns with rehabilitation efforts. Collaboration with various stakeholders—including correctional staff, policymakers, and community organizations—is crucial but can be complex due to differing priorities. Success in this field typically requires strong communication skills, persistence, and adaptability to navigate evolving legal and social landscapes.

What is prison reform?

Prison reform refers to efforts aimed at improving the conditions, policies, and systems within prisons. The goal is to ensure that incarceration is humane, effective, and focused on rehabilitation rather than just punishment. Prison reform can involve changing laws, reducing overcrowding, increasing access to healthcare and education for inmates, and addressing issues like racial disparities and wrongful convictions. These reforms strive to create safer communities by helping former inmates successfully reintegrate into society.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Prison Reform Advocate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Prison Reform Advocate, you need a solid understanding of criminal justice, policy analysis, and advocacy, often supported by a degree in law, social work, or public policy. Familiarity with legal research databases, legislative tracking tools, and data analysis platforms is typically required. Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills help you effectively engage stakeholders and drive change. These skills are crucial for influencing policy, raising public awareness, and advancing systemic reforms in the justice system.

What is the difference between Prison Reform vs Parole Officer?

AspectPrison ReformParole Officer
Required CredentialsVaries; often degrees in criminal justice, social work, or lawDegree in criminal justice, social work, or related field; certification may be required
Work EnvironmentAdvocacy organizations, government agencies, non-profitsFieldwork in communities, prisons, and courts
Industry UsagePolicy development, advocacy, reform programsSupervision of parolees, case management, community safety

Prison Reform focuses on changing policies and systems within the correctional industry to improve inmate treatment and reduce recidivism, often working in advocacy or policy roles. Parole Officers, on the other hand, supervise released inmates in the community, ensuring compliance with parole conditions. While both roles aim to improve the justice system, Prison Reform is more policy-oriented, whereas Parole Officers are directly involved in community supervision and safety.

What cities are hiring for Prison Reform jobs? Cities with the most Prison Reform job openings:
What states have the most Prison Reform jobs? States with the most job openings for Prison Reform jobs include:
Fall 2026 Legal Intern, National Prison Project

Fall 2026 Legal Intern, National Prison Project

ACLU - Internships

Washington, DC • On-site, Remote

Part-time, Internship

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

About the Role
The ACLU seeks a Legal Intern in the National Prison Project of the ACLU's National office in Washington D.C. This position may be remote or hybrid. This internship is for course credit only.
Qualifying applicants must currently be matriculated legal students and must be based in the U.S. for the entire duration of the internship.
The Team:
The National Prison Project works to ensure that conditions in prisons, jails, juvenile detention centers, and immigration detention facilities comply with the Constitution, domestic law, and international human rights principles. The Project has successfully litigated on behalf of incarcerated people in more than 25 states. It is the only organization litigating conditions of confinement cases nationwide. Our priorities include reducing overcrowding, improving health care, challenging the use of solitary confinement, and increasing oversight and accountability in prisons, jails, and other places of detention. We also work to reverse the policies that have given the United States the highest incarceration rate in the world and led to extreme over-representation of people of color in the incarcerated population.
What You'll Do:
Legal interns gain valuable experience by working with the National Prison Project team. They learn about creating change through prison reform litigation and advocacy work.
Your Day to Day:
  • Researching and drafting legal memorandum and briefing regarding the rights of incarcerated people
  • Gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing current information related to prison, jail, and detention center conditions
  • Researching and drafting prospects for new litigation and / or campaign advocacy
  • Assisting with the drafting, production, and distribution of advocacy and public education materials
  • Providing other litigation and advocacy support to supervising attorneys
What You'll Bring:
  • Second and third year law school students pursuing a J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school; applicants must have completed at least one year of law school before the internship commences
  • A demonstrated interest in the rights of incarcerated people and a commitment to civil rights
  • Outstanding legal research, writing, and communication skills
  • Demonstrated ability to perform complex legal analytical work
  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently as well as in a team. Ability to foster and contribute to a collaborative team environment is essential
  • Strong computer skills, particularly web-based research including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (i.e. Word, Excel)
Future ACLU'ers Will:
  • Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
  • Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
  • Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts
Internship Logistics
  • Location: Our internship program offers a limited number of remote or hybrid intern positions. This internship can be remote or hybrid and based in our Washington D.C. office.
  • Time Commitment: Fall internships can be part-time (10,15 or 20 hours/week)
  • Internship Duration: Fall internships span 12 consecutive weeks with a start date of Spetember 8 or September 21.
  • Stipend: This internship is for course credit only. This internship must be tied to the intern's formal education program by integrated coursework or the receipt of academic credit.
Why the ACLU
For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it's ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.
Our Commitment to Accessibility, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Accessibility, equity, diversity, and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. For us diversity, equity and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities, but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change. We are a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization - one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether we're in the courts or in the office, we believe 'We the People' means all of us.
With this commitment in mind, we strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email benefits.hrdept@aclu.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request accommodations for the interview process.
In order to be considered for this position, all candidates must formally submit an application. The ACLU does not accept unsolicited calls or emails from candidates regarding their application status.

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