Harvard Prison Legal Assistance Project
2022 Summer Student Attorney Program

The Harvard Prison Legal Assistance Project (PLAP) is now accepting applications for its 2022 Summer Student Attorney Program.

Why work at PLAP this summer? Here are just a few reasons:

• At PLAP, you will take the lead on your own cases and directly represent clients in prison disciplinary, parole, and classification hearings. You will interview clients, develop case strategies with our Supervising Attorneys, draft and submit motions to dismiss and discovery requests, cross-examine witnesses and argue at hearings, and get experience writing and filing appeals.
• PLAP’s clients need your help. In Massachusetts, prisoners are not automatically given lawyers for disciplinary or parole hearings. You are their best chance for competent representation.
• You will learn from experienced attorneys. Our Supervising Attorneys will guide you through the representation process and will help you develop your advocacy skills more broadly.

Qualified candidates will have an interest in criminal justice and representing incarcerated persons. Training will be held during the last week of May. You must be able to spend 10 weeks working full-time for PLAP during the summer months. In addition to representing clients, you will answer phone calls from prisoners in the PLAP office and respond to written requests for help. Spanish or other foreign language skills are a plus.

PLAP summer student attorneys 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.

Interested students should email an application package including a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and at least one reference to Shanell Lavery (sblavery@law.harvard.edu).

We will review applications on a rolling basis.

The Harvard Prison Legal Assistance Project (PLAP) is now accepting applications for its 2020 Summer Student Attorney Program.

Why work at PLAP this summer? Here are just a few reasons:

• At PLAP, you will take the lead on your own cases and directly represent clients in prison disciplinary, parole, and classification hearings. You will interview clients, develop case strategies with our Supervising Attorneys, draft and submit motions to dismiss and discovery requests, cross-examine witnesses and argue at hearings, and get experience writing and filing appeals.

• PLAP’s clients need your help. In Massachusetts, prisoners are not automatically given lawyers for disciplinary or parole hearings. You are their best chance for competent representation.

• You will learn from experienced attorneys. Our Supervising Attorneys will guide you through the representation process and will help you develop your advocacy skills more broadly.

• Finally, you will be part of a community. PLAP summer student attorneys spend time together both in and out of the office. Outings in past years have included trivia nights and hiking trips!

Qualified candidates will have an interest in criminal justice and representing incarcerated persons. Training will be held during the last weeks of May. You must be able to spend 10 weeks working full-time for PLAP during the summer months. In addition to representing clients, you will answer phone calls from prisoners in the PLAP office and respond to written requests for help. You should be able to drive and rent a car in the United States. Spanish or other foreign language skills are a plus.

PLAP summer student attorneys 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.

Interested students should email an application package including resume, cover letter, writing sample and at least one reference to  Shanell Lavery (sblavery@law.harvard.edu).

We will review applications on a rolling basis.

Please read PLAP’s statements on the decision Harvard made to deny Michelle Jones admission into Harvard’s History department. The story was originally published in the Harvard Record.

PLAP Executive Board Statement on Michelle Jones

Over spring break, 5 members of PLAP and another HLS student traveled to New Orleans, LA to work with the Promise of Justice Initiative (PJI) on a lawsuit seeking injunctive relief to deliver constitutionally adequate medical care to incarcerated people at Angola. Our students helped the attorneys prepare for trial by reviewing and creating a database for incarcerated people’s requests for disability accommodations and creating aids for expert testimony. The students were able to spend a week enjoying the great city of New Orleans while also contributing valuable work to an important case. PLAP looks forward to being able to continue building a relationship with PJI in the future!

We’re so thankful for these students for spending their spring break working on this important cause!

Today, members of Free Minds Book Club and Writing Workshop, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC, came to Harvard Law School to speak to a group of students. Free Minds uses books, creative writing, and a peer support system to awaken incarcerated youth to their own potential. Their motto is “Books and Brotherhood.” Through creative expression, job readiness training, and violence prevention outreach, these young poets achieve their education and career goals, and become powerful voices for change in the community.

We heard from two amazing formerly incarcerated youth who are now Free Minds Poet Ambassadors. These young men bravely shared their stories and backgrounds, and discussed how working with Free Minds enabled them to recognize their skills and value. After learning about the organization, HLS students had the opportunity to read the work of incarcerated youth and provide encouraging feedback. It was a powerful event that demonstrated how books, creative writing and social support have the incredible power to teach, build community, and change lives.

For more information on Free Minds or if you want to get involved with this great organization, please visit their website.
http://freemindsbookclub.org

In this photo, three students can be seen talking to Nick, one of the Free Minds Poet Ambassadors who traveled all the way from DC to meet with us and share his story.