Last Wednesday, February 22, PLAP hosted Jesse White, the attorney who runs Prisoners’ Legal Services’ Prison Brutality Project. The project seeks to address the widespread problem of correctional staff abusing their authority by assaulting the men and women who they are employed to keep safe. Jesse staffs the Rapid Response to Brutality Project, which responds quickly to document prisoner injuries and conduct interviews in the wake of excessive use of force incidents. She also conducts investigations, provides both individual and systemic advocacy, provides pro se and pro bono litigation assistance, and assists with PLS’ brutality litigation.

Jesse spoke to a large group of PLAP students about her work, her background, and strategies we can use to more effectively handle cases involving officer brutality. We are grateful Jesse took the time to speak with us, and look forward to PLAP’s continued involvement with the Prison Brutality Project.

PLAP is hiring rising 2Ls and 3Ls to work as full-time student attorneys this summer. PLAP is one of the few large-scale law student practice organizations delivering legal services to incarcerated individuals, and has helped defend Massachusetts prisoners’ rights for over four decades.
Student attorneys represent Massachusetts state prison inmates in parole and disciplinary matters, typically working alongside PLAP’s supervising attorneys on behalf of 4-6 incarcerated clients over the course of the summer. Through this work, student attorneys have a unique opportunity to shape their own cases and practice advocacy by crafting arguments, interviewing clients, conducting discovery, and cross-examining witnesses in disciplinary hearings. Summer student attorneys also staff PLAP’s hotline and respond to incarcerated individuals’ legal research requests.
Qualified candidates will have a sincere interest in criminal justice and serving the incarcerated. Training will be held during the last weeks of May and you must be able to spend 10 weeks working for PLAP. You should be able to drive and rent a car in the United States. Past hotline experience and/or Spanish language skills are a plus.
PLAP volunteers will receive a $500 stipend in addition to any public interest funding available through other sources. As a small office, PLAP offers a casual environment and flexible hours, letting you do RA or similar work at the same time.
To apply, send a resume and cover letter stating your interest in PLAP’s work to Dennis Dillon at adillon@jd18.law.harvard.edu.
Applicants will be contacted for an interview if their application passes the screening stage. Interviews will continue until all positions are filled, but preference will be given to applications received prior to February 22, 2017.