Prison Abolition

End the New Jim Crow Action Network (ENJAN)

https://endthenewjimcrow.blogspot.com/

Volunteer-run, City of Poughkeepsie

Action Areas: Prison Abolition, Racial Justice

About: End the New Jim Crow Action Network (ENJAN, pronounced “engine”) advocates locally and statewide to end mass incarceration, including both unjust imprisonment and the larger web of laws, rules, policies, and customs that control people labeled as criminals outside of prison walls. Because people of color are unfairly and disproportionately targeted by all levels of the criminal justice system, we focus on opposing practices driven by institutional racism to build a powerful movement (or “ENJAN”) for change. One of our focuses is court watch in which we train students to attend city or county court to observe and report on what is happening “”in the name of the people.

Position Descriptions: Students can be either ENJAN interns or Court Watchers.

1) The ENJAN intern is responsible for attending bi-monthly meetings, taking and distributing meeting notes, completing research for current projects, assisting with events and outreach efforts (including attending city council, criminal justice council, and county legislature meetings), helping to liaise with other local groups and organizations, and supporting ongoing operations and projects. Current projects include police reform in the City of Poughkeepsie, election forums on criminal justice issues, and the school-to-prison pipeline. Must be available to attend meetings on Wednesday evenings.

2) Court Watchers are responsible for supporting the court watch project. Duties include preparing forms for court watching, attending court and recording data, attending weekly meetings to process what is happening in light of readings on criminal legal issues, and for writing or editing court watcher blog posts for the website, and contributing to social media (including Instagram0. In addition, court watch interns may also be asked to conduct outside research on matters related to the courts, criminal justice, etc. Must have availability to attend court at least one day per week. Poughkeepsie city and county courts are typically in session from 9 am to 12 noon, M-F.

Desired Skills: Bilingual Spanish-English, Copywriting, Fact-checking, Research skills, Social media management, Data collection/analysis

Hours: 4hrs/week or 8 hrs/week

Are you interested in getting involved with E.N.J.A.N.? Visit here for your next steps.

Citizen Action of New York – hybrid position

https://citizenactionny.org

Non-profit, 20+ staff members + members/volunteers

Address: Poughkeepsie

Action Areas: Education Policy and Equity, Environmental Justice and Food Security, Housing Insecurity/Justice, Prison Abolition, Public Health, Racial Justice, Reproductive Rights, Voting Rights

About: Citizen Action of New York is a grassroots membership organization taking on big issues that are at the center of transforming society by:

– Ensuring our children have a quality public education no matter their zip code

– Ending our current system of mass incarceration and establishing a new system of justice

– Holding government accountable to all citizens

– Fighting for guaranteed quality, affordable health care

– Taking big money out of politics by creating a fair elections system

– Aiming to dismantle the historic racist system by promoting racial justice

– Striving for a more progressive tax system to begin to end the runaway inequality in our state

– Addressing the climate crisis and transitioning to a renewable energy economy

– We look for opportunities to accomplish big changes – not small, incremental reforms. We work to elect progressive candidates to office who are committed to these issues. Our power comes from the grassroots: people coming together to push the edge of the possible. – Every new member helps bring New York and America closer to a society that works for all of us!

We envision a world where every person’s basic needs are met. It’s a world filled with love and respect for its people and the planet. It’s a world where democracy reigns and each person is able to reach their fullest potential.

Position Description: Student will contribute to our organization by assisting with:

1) Community outreach through phonebanking, community canvassing, tabling, and social media engagement.

2) Recording, tracking, and submitting weekly data reports to help illustrate & analyze our work in the community.

3) Assisting development of community profiles, policy fact sheets, and other resources to help inform our local advocacy efforts

Desired Skills: Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Fact-checking, Public speaking/presenting, Research skills, Social media management, Data collection/analysis

Are you interested in getting involved with Citizen Action? Visit here for your next steps.

Prisoners’ Brain Trust – remote work

Non-profit, 1-5 team members
Mid-Hudson Valley
https://www.instagram.com/prisonersbraintrust

Action Areas: Prison Abolition

About: The Prisoners’ Brain Trust (“PBT’) embodies people directly impacted
by the prison industrial complex’s many harms. Our members are a combination of queer/trans, cis-hetero, Black, Brown Indigenous People of Color, and white anti-racist/anti-authoritarian partners. Each member brings their full carceral and personal experiences into our work to dissect ow policies impact and intersect our lives and communities. Prisoners’ Brain Trust addresses toxicity associated with the patriarchal structure; provides gender & sexuality training, political education, and leadership development; hones public speaking/debate skills; and offers moral/emotional support through the community.

Spring 2026 Position Descriptions

Felony Murder Law Policy Intern: We are looking for a dedicated Policy Intern to support the “Faces of the Felony Murder Law” campaign during the Spring 2026 semester. This is a volunteer role requiring 80 hours total. the intern will work closely with the Campaign Lead, attend strategic meetings, and help produce advocacy materials for legislative actions in Albany. Read the full description here.
Data-Justice Research Intern (Felony-Murder Doctrine, Dutchess County): The Prisoners’ Brain Trust (PBT) invites motivated undergraduate students to join a fourteen-week, unpaid research internship for the Spring 2026 semester (January 20 – May 2). Working remotely the intern will help build a rigorously vetted dataset on individuals charged under the felony-murder doctrine in Dutchess County over the past ten years. The data will be used to inform a policy brief, visual advocacy tools, and a larger, statewide funding campaign aimed at dismantling the doctrine. Must commit to 5-6 hours/week. Read the full description here.
Social Media Intern: We are seeking a motivated Social Media Intern to support our Social Media Manager in expanding PBT’s Instagram presence during the Spring 2026 semester. This part-time, remote internship totals 80 hours and is designed for a candidate who shares our commitment to abolitionist politics, Black feminist theory, and centering the voices of prisoners. The internship is unpaid. Read the full description here.

Are you interested in getting involved with PBT? Visit here for your next steps.

Children’s Center at the Dutchess County Family Court – Family Services of the Hudson Valley

Address: 29 N. Hamilton St, Poughkeepsie, NY

About: Family Services brings people together to find the support they need, improving their lives and communities, and building a stronger, safer Hudson Valley.

Position Description: The Children’s Center Intern assists the Lead Teacher and Assistant Teacher at the Children’s Center at the Dutchess County Family Court in compliance with all NYS Office of Court Administration Children’s Center Program agreements. The Intern provides a safe and creative curriculum for children while their families attend to court business and offers consultation to families for resources within the community. The position enthusiastically supports, practices, and communicates the agency’s Mission and Statement of Values. Under the supervision of program staff, interns may facilitate activities with children and offer supportive counseling to parents. In addition to direct-services, interns will assist with administrative and clerical duties. Intern responsibilities will be inclusive of areas identified in their respective college/university learning plan. Children Center Interns enthusiastically support, practice, and communicate the agency’s mission and statement of values.

Role/Responsibilities:

Responsible for assisting with the direct care and safety of the children left in the center
under the supervision of program staff. Implements and maintains the health and safety protocol/procedures and maintains visible instructive printouts of these procedures.Will assure center is in compliance with all program safety and confidentiality guidelines.
Under the supervision of program staff, assisting with required intakes and reports.
- Prepares and submits information for monthly reports to appropriate entities.
- Secures the intake paperwork in proper location.
- Maintains statistical records necessary for reports and research.
Planning, development and evaluation of program activities.
- Designs and carries out curriculum and activities based on the needs and
  development of children in center at any given time.
- Develops and implements monthly/seasonal themes and constructive activities in
  a long-range plan
- Will implement the established curriculum guidelines
Assisting with the distribution of referral and resource information to caregivers based on their and their children’s needs.
- Remains informed on current local resources and services.
- Assesses the needs of the caregiver and will respond to them through referrals to
  appropriate agency/program.
Assisting the Lead Teacher and Assistant Teacher in the planning and coordinating the Children’s Center/Supervised Visitation Advisory Committee in conjunction with the Associate Director and Director of Family Support Services
Completion of all required training for staff.
Providing appropriate, creative, supportive interactions with the children in the center in group and individual activities.
- Develop creative “in-class” programs based on age and present teachable

Hours: 4 hrs/week or 8 hrs/week

Are you interested in getting involved with the Children’s Center? Visit here for your next steps.

Exodus Transitional Community

www.etcny.org

Non-profit, 1-5 team members

Address: 97-99 Cannon Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Action Areas: Education Policy and Equity, Environmental Justice and Food Security, Expression, Arts, and Culture, Housing Insecurity/Justice, LGBTQAI+ Rights, Mental Health Access and Support, Public Health, Racial Justice, Reproductive Rights, Voting Rights, Legal Access

About: With a firm belief in human resilience, Exodus Transitional Community delivers innovative programming tailored to adults and youth affected by the justice system, and advocates for a society in which all can achieve social economic, and spiritual well-being.

Position description: Students will play a pivotal role in supporting and enhancing our mission to reintegrate individuals affected by the justice system into society. The intern will contribute by assisting our case managers with client intakes assessments and follow-ups to ensure that each individual receives personalized support tailored to their needs. helping connect participants with essential resources such as housing, employment opportunities, educational programs and mental health services.

Desired Skills: Bilingual Spanish-English, Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Copywriting, Fact-checking, Public speaking/presenting, Research skills, Web design, Writing, Data collection/analysis