The In-Prison Programs Attorney will work closely with the In Prison Programs Coordinator to develop, facilitate, and enhance R&R’s reentry education and reentry services for people in CA state prisons preparing to return home. We want to mitigate the challenges that thousands of people face each year when released, through early and impactful support. This position will focus on providing legal information and support to program participants and program alumni, as well as co-managing R&R’s current in-prison program at Folsom State Prison. The In-Prison Programs Attorney will also support people in CA jails and prisons through our Friday hotline, and mail correspondence.
The goals for R&R’s in-prison programs include:
Building self-advocacy skills and knowledge for navigating barriers to reentry;
Developing a Reentry Blueprint, including connections to resources and services in the community tailored to individual needs;
Ensuring success in reentry while reducing the likelihood of re-incarceration;
Providing personal and leadership opportunities to become role models, mentors and leaders both in prison and in their communities; and
Offering long-term access to R&R as a reentry resource.
Duties & Responsibilities: The In-Prison Program Attorney role includes, but is not limited to:
In-Prison Programming:
Work with the In-Prison Program Coordinator to:
Facilitate the Roadmap to Reentry program at FSP two Saturdays each month, (and possibly other prisons in the future).
Develop individualized Reentry Blueprints for in-prison program participants, outlining plans for returning home; and connecting them to social services, reentry organizations, and relevant resources (e.g., public benefits, housing, food, etc.).. Work will focus on issue-spotting and providing relevant legal information.
Proactively providing reentry legal assistance to program participants and alumni.
Inform R&R policy-advocacy work with knowledge/experience acquired through programming.
As time permits, the In-Prison Programs Attorney will also work with the Coordinator to expand R&R’s capacity to provide in-prison/jail education, training, and legal support across the state of California.
Direct Legal Services:
Serve as part of the legal support team on R&R’s weekly Reentry Hotline by conducting holistic reentry legal intakes, helping currently and formerly incarcerated callers identify and navigate reentry barriers, empowering clients to advocate for themselves, and advocating for clients’ needs across a variety of reentry issues.
Conduct research and provide creative, zealous and holistic legal support for clients’ reentry legal questions.
Specialize in supporting people in supporting people preparing for release and transitioning home from incarceration to overcome reentry challenges;
Respond to letters from incarcerated people who write to R&R with reentry-related legal questions.
Ensure that R&R has strong materials and organizational systems to respond to information and resource requests from incarcerated people.
Develop “Know Your Rights” fact sheets about relevant reentry legal issues and update our current educational resources, as needed.
Maintain necessary records for effective teamwork on cases, grant proposals, reports, and audits.
Support Fundraising Efforts as Needed:
Track deliverables for relevant grants and draft grant progress reports.
Represent Root & Rebound in funder meetings related to this role and program.
Maintain necessary records in Root & Rebound’s client management system for grant reporting and audits.
Support Development, Policy, Communications, and Storytelling projects as needed.
Licensed to practice law in the state of CA, in good standing.
At least one year, post bar work experience working in the legal fields of reentry, prisoner rights, criminal defense, or other public interest.
Demonstrated dedication to social, racial, and economic justice.
Ability to take initiative, problem-solve, meet deadlines, and work both collaboratively and independently.
Strong time-management and organizational skills to juggle workshop planning in addition to managing a client caseload.
Ability to genuinely connect, empathize, and build trust with clients.
Flexible, adaptable, and able to prioritize work given organizational and client needs.
Ability to zealously and creatively advocate for clients with strong issue-spotting and problem-solving skills.
Ability to and willingness to travel regularly to California prisons, approximately 2 days per month.
Possession of a valid Driver’s license.
Preferred:
Proficiency in Spanish is strongly preferred.
Formerly incarcerated and/or systems-impacted individuals strongly encouraged to apply.
To apply for this position, please upload a resume, cover letter, one short writing sample (max. 5 pages), and at least three references (explaining your professional relationship and including their contact information) onto the application portal, linked here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScazhleGc3SX7T4XjG6_Nguxvi_nRET.... Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. No phone calls, please.
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