Journalist/Copywriter Intern
Position Details:
The Journalist/Copywriter intern will be involved in developing, writing, and editing biographical profiles for a number of formerly incarcerated people. The intern will write copy, edit, and publish these profiles. The Journalist/Copywriter intern will have strong skills in writing, editing, content creation, and nuanced storytelling, as well as the ability to collaborate with a small team of dedicated interns and staff.
Responsibilities and Expected Outcomes:
• Work closely with Wtiness staff and interns to develop compelling biographical narratives for FIP featured in Witness’ MAP that center these individuals’ voices, narratives, and experiences
• Provide writing and editing support for work related to this project.
• Generate e-newsletter and social media content.
• Monitor pen-pal program
Qualifications, Credentials and Technical Skills required:
• Education or experience in journalism or writring; previous internship experience considered a plus.
• Strong copyediting, research, and writing skills.
• Know-how to produce communications in multiple formats, including digital, print and broadcast.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and attention to detail required.
• Strong organization skills. Ability to effectively manage course load, extra-curricular and internship responsibilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Willingness to ask questions when in need of direction or clarification.
• Ability and confidence to interact with staff at all levels and external constituents.
• Creativity and passion for philanthropic communications and non-profit marketing. Desire to continue learning and growing.
This internship will run through the fall semester with the option to extend into the spring semester. Because this is an unpaid internship, Witness to Mass Incarceration is happy to provide recommendations or references for all interns. In terms of internship credit, some educational institutions require prior approval before the start of an internship. It is the responsibility of the student to check with their institution to be sure they meet any requirements before they accept a position.
About Witness to Mass Incarceration Inc.
As the Founder and Executive Director of Witness to Mass Incarceration (Witness), Evie Litwok’s experiences with the judicial and correctional systems serve as the inspiration behind Witness’ mission, which operates to place formerly incarcerated women and LGBTQ+ people at the forefront of the movement to end mass incarceration, restore safety, dignity and respect in correctional facilities and reduce barriers to successful reentry. is committed to long term and permanent solutions to ensure successful reentry, by focusing on four pillars we believe necessary to make this happen: housing, employment, trauma-informed care, and community support. Every year 700,000 people are released from prison into the “free” world, many of whom are homeless, penniless, and lacking family support. The immediate challenge they face is how to survive. In response, Witness to Mass Incarceration focused on reentry, advocacy, and civic engagement and our newest program a resource map of formerly incarcerated led services and businesses. We focus on improving conditions of confinement through our work to end sexual violence in confinement. We have designed and are implementing a new approach to reentry. We respond to events which require immediate action, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
