About the role

CJI is seeking 2026 fall interns to support projects working in jurisdictions around the country on the development and implementation of policy and practice changes in adult and youth justice systems. The ideal candidate for this position is a self-starter that has an interest in data-driven policy development and nonpartisan technical assistance. Candidates must be able to work independently and possess strong communication skills.

What you'll do

Duties / Responsibilities:

• Assist with documenting group processes, including strategic planning sessions, consensus building processes, and focus groups.
• Contribute to the development of presentations to varied audiences, including line staff, mid-managers, executives, and policymakers.
• Assist in producing policy reports, including narratives and graphics. Perform literature reviews using all available research methods and summarize findings.
• Research and summarize policies related to court process, corrections and community supervision, and present findings internally during team meetings.  
• Copy-editing and fact-checking deliverables prior to publication.
• Support efforts to evaluate policies and practices related to people involved in (and transitioning out of) the adult and youth justice systems, including preparing for stakeholder interviews, conducting desk research on specific topics, and compiling and summarizing other public sources.
• Provide general administrative support to projects, including taking meeting notes; document and materials preparation; information tracking; and other duties as assigned by the project lead.

Qualifications

Knowledge / Skills / Experience Required:

• Ability to synthesize and summarize large amounts of information in a clear and concise manner.
• Ability to identify the appropriate sources to evaluate justice system policies.
• Possess high standards regarding work quality.
• Ability to interact with a variety of people, both in-person and virtually, in a professional and collaborative manner.
• Ability to coordinate and respond to multiple priorities with tight deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a team.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Products: Word, Excel, and Power Point, Access, Publisher.
• Preference will be given to candidates with work experience, coursework, or internships in criminal and/or juvenile justice, law, policy, administration, and research.

About CRJ: Our Mission, Your Opportunity

Community Resources for Justice (CRJ) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing lives and strengthening communities through direct service, advocacy, and innovation. We operate across four core service lines:

• Community Strategies (CS): Supporting adults with developmental disabilities to live independently and thrive in their communities. Providing a range of top-quality residential and non-residential programs for men and women with intellectual or developmental disabilities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Our programs offer individual and group treatment and are geared toward promoting independence and improving life skills. Clients also receive support with job development, on-the-job coaching, and educational opportunities.
• Reentry Services (RS): Supporting people leaving incarceration to make positive, sustainable life transitions. We firmly believe that change is possible and attainable for all that we serve. With a strict focus on outcomes, the Reentry Services Division is committed to delivering contemporary and evidence-based services to the individuals in our care. Through delivering innovative programming and collaborating with community agencies, we provide hope and support to our clients as they make safe and successful transitions into their communities.
• Crime & Justice Institute (CJI): Driving bold, transformative improvements in adult and youth justice systems by working with working with local, state, and national criminal justice organizations to improve public safety and the delivery of justice. The CJI team brings decades of experience developing evidence-based, data-driven policies, managing complex processes with diverse stakeholders, and driving systems-level organizational change. Our energetic staff and network of consultants come from a variety of backgrounds.
• Family Reentry (FRE): At Family Reentry, we address the often-intertwining problems of behavioral health, domestic violence, reentry, recidivism, and risks to youth by offering evidence-based interventions to provide support and effect positive change. We offer a holistic approach by working to connect clients to basic needs and offering support to create change and increase stronger coping and life skills.

CRJ is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity in all its forms and encourage candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences to apply.

Ready to make a difference? Apply today and be part of the change!