Reprieve Australia Internship

Organisation profile

Reprieve Australia was launched in 2001 and is the sister organisation of the international human rights charity Reprieve UK and the more recently formed Reprieve US.

Reprieve Australia places interns in capital defence and associated offices in the southern United States for periods of three months or more at a time to assist inmates on death row. Through the Monash Castan Centre for Human Rights Law, a number of Monash students have been involved in the Reprieve program, placed in offices around Louisiana, Texas, Georgia and Mississippi.

Monash Law eligibility criteria

In order to be eligible for this program and to obtain funding through the Student Travel Fund you must meet following general criteria:

• be enrolled full time in the Bachelor of Laws, any Bachelor of Laws double degree, LLM (LP) or JD programs at Monash University and have at least one unit of your law degree to complete through Monash Law School following the conclusion of the internship program
• at the time of the internship have completed at least one full time equivalent year of law with a minimum credit (60%) average across your law studies and completion of the following compulsory units:
  • Introduction to Legal Reasoning (LAW1101)
  • Law in Society (LAW1102)
  • Criminal Law (LAW 3301, 3302)
  • Contract Law (LAW2101, 2102)
  • Torts Law (LAW 2201, 2202)
  • Constitutional Law (LAW 3200, 3201)
• have a demonstrated interest in human rights, either through a history of community involvement or the completion of at least one of the following subjects (or similar) by the start date of the Internship:
  • International Human Rights (LAW4155)
  • International Law (LAW4122)
  • International Organisations (LAW4123)
  • International Humanitarian Law (course code)
  • Comparative Constitutions and Rights (LAW4165)
  • Indigenous People and the Law (LAW4158)
  • Human Rights in Australia Law (LAW 4172)
  • International Criminal Law (LAW4184)
  • International Refugee Law and Practice (LAW4164)
• have the ability to complete the internship without compromising law studies or examination periods (eg for some internships, you may be required to intermit your law studies)
• be available on return to commit to marketing and promotional activities, including future use of profiles and reports in marketing material (subject to negotiation with the Faculty Marketing Manager) 
• have not previously received faculty funding through the STF for more than one other faculty managed internship (students are eligible for STF funding for a maximum of two faculty managed internships for the duration of their law studies at Monash. Students can apply for additional internships but they will not be eligible to receive funding through the STF.)

Reprieve Australia eligibility criteria

• A strong commitment to the abolition of the death penalty
• Maturity and independence
• Initiative
• Ability to work in a team
• Skills in interpersonal relations
• Organisation skills
• Driver’s licence
• Computer skills

More information about Reprieve Australia and the role of an intern [PDF]

Application process

You must apply for this internship directly through Reprieve Australia (see instructions below for faculty funding application process).

The internship program is only available to members of Reprieve Australia. You must join the organisation before making an intern application (student membership is AUD $20 per year).

For more information go to the Reprieve internship website or apply directly to contact@reprieve.org.au. Your application must include:

• Curriculum Vitae
• A sample of research writing
• Letter explaining your interest in an internship at a capital defence office and addressing the above eligibility criteria

Applicants will then be contacted by Reprieve Australia for an initial interview in Australia.

After this interview, in the event the applicant is found suitable, all documentation concerning the applicant including a report from the Reprieve Australia interviewer, will be forwarded to the intern coordinator in the United States who will then interview the candidate by telephone before making a final decision on suitability. Candidates may be interviewed more than once before a suitable placement is found.

NOTE: Applicantions being made for Nov - Feb summer holiday period need to be in by the end of second week of September. You can however, apply to Reprieve anytime of year. Some students may chose to intermit studies to particpate.

Visa information

You will need a US visa to participate in the program. Participants in the Reprieve Australia internships program are entitled to a business visa as members of an organisation providing a volunteer, charitable work program.

Reprieve Australia will provide supporting documentation. The cost of obtaining the visa is under $AUD200 and obtaining the visa is the sole responsibility of the internship applicant.

USA Business Visa Application (DS-156 Form)

Estimated costs

Information on estimated costs

Faculty of Law funding application process

Once you have received confirmation of your internship place from Reprieve, you must submit a Monash Law Reprieve funding application form [PDF] together with a confirmation of your place to the faculty External Programs Officer located in the Student Services office on Level 1 of the Law building, Clayton Campus.

Equity grants

Student Travel Fund (STF) Equity Grants have been developed to provide financial assistance for faculty internship programs to those students who can demonstrate financial hardship. 

Credit for your degree

Monash Law students who undertake a three month (or longer) internship at the Louisiana Crisis Assistance Centre (and its related non-profit law offices) can make use of Monash Abroad’s support services, if they are completing the internship as part of their Bachelor of Laws.

Reprieve interns can enrol into a six point research unit which will count towards your degree. Enrolling in the research unit may assist in receiving funding from Monash Abroad. Students in the past have received from $500 - $1000 to assist with travel costs.

Students should consider the option of completing the research unit when planning their load prior to, and upon completion of the internship. There may be effects upon calculation of marks/averages for Honours admission – students are advised to check all relevant guidelines carefully.

The above unit does not need to be completed while in the US. Students should explain the situation to their intended supervisor, (referring them to speak with Melissa Castan). It is likely that supervisors will allow enrolment at a suitable period upon return from the internship.

Further information

If you would like further information about this internship please contact:

Forms

Monash Law Reprieve funding application form [PDF]
Equity Grant application form [PDF]
USA Business Visa Application (DS-156 Form) 
Internship Report Form [PDF]
Student intern profile – Example only [PDF]

Other useful information

Estimated costs
Past intern report, Natasha Stojanovich
Past intern report, Nick Button