Summer 2025 - Research Intern, Greater Justice New York

Brooklyn, NY

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:

Vera’s Greater Justice New York (GJNY) initiative uses data analysis, research, strategic communications, policy, and advocacy to advance pretrial justice reform, reduce the use of jails and prisons, minimize the harms of involvement with the criminal-legal system, and support reinvestment in strategies that build truly safe and thriving communicates throughout the state of New York. GJNY works with stakeholders and advocates to transform the criminal-legal system. We seek to shape a statewide policy agenda and drive local conversations about decarceration and public safety.

GJNY is one of Vera’s three place-based initiatives, along with Vera California and Louisiana. We serve the unique purpose of harnessing our strengths and assets to invest locally in dismantling the systems that punish and harm and building institutions that deliver safety and justice. Each of our place-based initiatives are led by staff who live in those communities.  

About the role:

The GJNY summer fellow will collaborate with team members to create various materials, including factsheets, infographics, and online tools, to help community members and other stakeholders understand the initiative’s key policy goals and the supporting research and evidence. An ideal candidate is creative, passionate about effective storytelling, and either experienced in or eager to learn design and data visualization tools such as Canva, InDesign, and Datawrapper. 

The ideal candidate is deeply committed to racial justice and eager to explore ways to advance it within New York’s criminal legal policy.

The summer fellow will have the opportunity to learn more about New York State’s current key criminal legal policy agenda and the initiative’s strategies for achieving these reforms. 

What you'll do:

• Create factsheets, infographics, and online tools that explain key policy goals and the supporting research and evidence
• Support and assist GJNY’s projects on pretrial service, jail and prison population reduction
• Track the latest news, literature, trends, and ideas from various sources related to criminal legal reform in New York, particularly around the issues of budget justice, bail, parole, and sentencing reform
• Other duties as assigned

What qualifications are we looking for?

• Ability to take initiative, ask questions, and adapt to changing priorities
• Ability to think and share creative and bold data visualization and design ideas
• Attention to detail and excellent synthesizing skills
• Demonstrated ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds
• Passion for criminal legal reform and ending systemic racism and injustice 

Preferred: 

• Demonstrated connections to New York, preferably outside NYC
• Direct or indirect lived experience with criminal legal system
• Experience in coding and data cleaning using R or Python 

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities you'll bring:

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or similar software

Location:

Please note this role will report to our Brooklyn, NY 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 35 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: 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.

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.