Candidates must have experience with academic literature review and familiarity with systematic review guidelines, as well as knowledge of experimental design, quantitative research methods, and the criminal justice system. It is also essential to have access to academic databases.

The Research Intern will be responsible for conducting a literature review, summarizing findings, and aiding in distilling review results for grant applications at the Vera Institute of Justice's Reshaping Prosecution department during the summer of 2024.

Research & Development

United States

Washington, DC

New York City

Medium

We envision a society that respects the dignity of every single person. And we're working to realize it.

We work with others who share our vision to tackle the most pressing injustices of our day - from the causes and consequences of mass incarceration, racial disparities, and the loss of public trust in law enforcement, to the unmet needs of the vulnerable, the marginalized, and those harmed by crime and violence.

Government

Vera Institute of Justice

Securing equal justice, ending mass incarceration, and strengthening families and communities. Founded 1961.

<ul><li>The Reshaping Prosecution Program is dedicated to transforming what it means to be a prosecutor by focusing on the dignity of all people impacted by the criminal justice system. Prosecutors play a critical, but often hidden, role in mass incarceration as one of the most powerful actors in the criminal justice system. They decide who to charge with a crime, what crime to charge, whether to detain someone in jail pending trial, and what sentence to recommend if there is a conviction. Yet, despite this immense power, prosecutors have largely not been the focus of criminal justice reform efforts until recently. Our team helps prosecutors across the country work to end mass incarceration, pursue racial equity, and be more transparent with the communities they serve.&nbsp;</li><li>Students will be responsible for conducting a literature review on prosecution policy interventions as directed by Vera researchers. Although a systematic review may be beyond the scope of this project, students should adhere as closely as possible to the PRISMA guidelines when preparing the review and include a description of the methods and checklist items as described by PRISMA. The results of this literature review will include a narrative element that describes the state of the current research, as well as a summary table including relevant information on effect sizes, study types, evidence quality, participation rates, and other key metrics that will be defined at the start of the project.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>As a reach goal, after completing the review and time allowing, students will use the results to assist community-based organizations in their applications for funding. This may include summarizing the evidence relevant to a given program as needed, as well as the potential for high-level analysis, using estimated effectiveness from the literature to fill in missing program data as needed.</li><li>Time permitting, students may consider drafting a template of evaluation for future projects, particularly in situations where a quasi-experiment will be needed. Note that while we are happy to support students who are interested in this for their own personal development, it is by no means an expectation that students will complete this in addition to the two goals outlined above.&nbsp;</li></ul>

Currently Studying

Undergraduate

The Reshaping Prosecution Program is dedicated to transforming what it means to be a prosecutor by focusing on the dignity of all people impacted by the criminal justice system. Prosecutors play a critical, but often hidden, role in mass incarceration as one of the most powerful actors in the criminal justice system. They decide who to charge with a crime, what crime to charge, whether to detain someone in jail pending trial, and what sentence to recommend if there is a conviction. Yet, despite this immense power, prosecutors have largely not been the focus of criminal justice reform efforts until recently. Our team helps prosecutors across the country work to end mass incarceration, pursue racial equity, and be more transparent with the communities they serve. Students will be responsible for conducting a literature review on prosecution policy interventions as directed by Vera researchers. Although a systematic review may be beyond the scope of this project, students should adhere as closely as possible to the PRISMA guidelines when preparing the review and include a description of the methods and checklist items as described by PRISMA. The results of this literature review will include a narrative element that describes the state of the current research, as well as a summary table including relevant information on effect sizes, study types, evidence quality, participation rates, and other key metrics that will be defined at the start of the project.  As a reach goal, after completing the review and time allowing, students will use the results to assist community-based organizations in their applications for funding. This may include summarizing the evidence relevant to a given program as needed, as well as the potential for high-level analysis, using estimated effectiveness from the literature to fill in missing program data as needed.Time permitting, students may consider drafting a template of evaluation for future projects, particularly in situations where a quasi-experiment will be needed. Note that while we are happy to support students who are interested in this for their own personal development, it is by no means an expectation that students will complete this in addition to the two goals outlined above. 

Summer 2024 - Research Intern, Reshaping Prosecution

Requirements

Responsibilities

Vera Institute of Justice

Mission & Purpose