What are the responsibilities and job description for the Prison Watch Intern position at AFSC job board?
The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker religious organization that promotes lasting peace with justice, as a practical expression of faith in action. Drawing on continuing spiritual insights and working with people of many backgrounds, we nurture the seeds of change and respect for human life that transform social relations and systems.
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POSITION DESCRIPTION
TITLE: Prison Watch Intern
JOB CATEGORY: Non-Exempt
STATUS: Part-Time, 14 hours/week, Specific Term through August 2026
TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT: Specific Term
SUPERVISOR: Program Coordinator Prison Watch
REGION/UNIT: Northeast Region
LOCATION: 89 Market Street, Newark, NJ (In- Office)
Application Deadline: April 17, 2026
GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION
In New Jersey, and across the country, Departments of Corrections are subjected to little external oversight of their prisons, juvenile detention facilities or county jails. “Access” to conditions of confinement is possible only via letters and telephone calls from incarcerated men and women sharing of their experiences. Youngsters in juvenile facilities also reach out to tell their stories. In responding to these testimonies and requests from within New Jersey and throughout the country, the AFSC enables individuals to self-advocate; leading to empowerment. The information the prisoners share is also valuable to AFSC’s advocacy and policy reform efforts.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / RESPONSIBILITIES
- Under staff guidance, the intern will be trained to respond to letters and telephone calls. The intern will also work alongside volunteers and other students to take testimony from men and women who have spent time in NJ prisons. The intern and student staff will then gather testimonies into our Quarterly publication “From the Inside Out”. The internship offers first-hand engagement with issues surrounding imprisonment, including race, class, the use of isolation, brutality and the quality and access to health care and other conditions of confinement within US prisons. Upon completion of this internship, the intern will have gained valuable insight into a closed, often secretive environment and will therefore be better prepared to be an agent of change throughout his/her career.
- The American Friends Service Committee’s Internship Program is designed to engage undergraduate and graduate students with the world of public service and peace and social justice issues. As an intern you will work alongside AFSC staff helping to implement current programs and achieve AFSC’s mission. You will work within a framework of a work plan and learning objectives with the opportunity to participate in activities such as client engagement and in-depth research. Upon completion of the internship, you will have the opportunity to reflect upon and evaluate your experience.
SUPERVISORY / MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS
No direct supervisory responsibilities.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Education: Current student, undergraduate or graduate level preferred.
- Experience:
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in multicultural contexts.
- Good oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively and build mutually respectful relationships with co-workers, clients, and the public.
- Ability to work effectively and comfortably with Quaker principles.
- Self-motivated, detail oriented, well-organized, able to prioritize assignments and workload.
- Strong interest in a just criminal legal system
- Ability to work effectively independently and within a team environment.
- Experience with standard Microsoft Office and related technology.
- Must be capable of working under tight time constraints in a high-volume environment with multiple priorities.
- Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations, of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.
- Commitment to Quaker values and testimonies. Understanding of and compatibility with the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee including non-violence and the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
COMPENSATION
The AFSC offers a competitive Total Rewards package. This position is Salary Family: Intern, $20 per hour/14 hours per week, Nonexempt. There are no medical, dental, or life insurance benefits, short-term or long-term insurance benefits with this position. AFSC does participate in unemployment, worker’s compensation, and social security.
The American Friends Service Committee is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity within our organization. Qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of their religious affiliation, race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.
AFSC’s Central Office and some of its offices in the U.S. are unionized workplaces. This position is not represented.
AFSC maintains a deep commitment to a mandate of care for our staff and communities. The American Friends Service Committee is a smoke-free workplace.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Position duties and expectations change over time. This job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive, exclusive or exhaustive list of the job functions that an employee in this position may be asked to perform from time to time. The employee may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. If there is ever a time that you are unsure what is expected of you, you are expected to meet with your manager and ask questions. If you are unsure how to perform a certain task, ask your manager before performing.
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