Illinois Prison Project (IPP) is a young nonprofit organization in Chicago that seeks to reduce mass incarceration by providing legal services to individuals incarcerated in the Illinois Department of Corrections. IPP focuses on novel and creative approaches to prison reduction and engages in public education, advocacy and direct legal representation. IPP’s mechanisms for release include clemency, parole, youth parole, medical release, resentencing, administrative relief and post-conviction filings.
Through its education work IPP spreads awareness to community members, policy makers, and other stakeholders about the injustices wrought by the criminal legal system and mass incarceration. The education team also disseminates legal information to communities impacted by incarceration through our Community Navigator Network. IPP is hiring a Community Navigator who will co-oversee the Community Navigator Network and contribute to the mission of IPP’s Education Department. People with direct carceral experience are highly encouraged to apply.
IPP requires all team members to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Proof of vaccination will be required. Candidates must be available to begin full-time work no later than May 28, 2024.
Responsibilities:
- Generate and maintain educational resources assisting people in navigating systems surrounding clemency, medical release, resentencing, sentencing credit, First 14 days of reentry, Prison Facility Transfers, Grievance Processes, and other areas of incarceration in Illinois
- Generate and deliver presentations to educate the community about the realities of mass incarceration, perpetual punishment and criminal legal reform in Illinois
- Participate as an expert speaker in educational events, community gatherings, and IPP fundraisers as needed
- Oversee the Community Navigator Network, including training new navigators, conducting initial assessments with community members in need of support, corresponding with incarcerated navigators, and administering resource distribution via US mail
- Operate the IPP phone line, which includes fielding calls from people who are incarcerated
- Respond to resource requests via phone, email, and website inquiry
Qualifications:
- Excellent communication skills, particularly with communities impacted by the trauma of incarceration with an emphasis on harm reduction and restorative justice perspectives. Being a certified Circle Facilitator is strongly preferred, but not a requirement.
- A familiarity with IDOC systems, including some or all of the following topics: sentencing credit, electronic detention, medical release, commutation, first thirty days after release
- Direct experience with the inner workings of the Illinois Department of Corrections and knowledge of the legal/political/historical landscape that has contributed to mass incarceration and perpetual punishment in Illinois.
- A familiarity with pro-se legal advocacy and organizing directly communities directly impacted by incarceration
- Bachelor’s Degree or two years experience in a field related to the criminal legal system, or any direct experience advocating in a prison setting (this can formal advocacy work like working in a law library or informal work like filing petitions on behalf of a loved one)
- Basic proficiency with Google Suite, Zoom, Telzio and Filevine
- The ability to reach prison facilities throughout the state (i.e., driver’s license and ability to travel for long day trips as needed). Pre-approval to volunteer within the Illinois Department of Corrections preferred, but not required.
Compensation: We offer a competitive salary and benefits package.
- This is a full-time position with a starting salary of $60,000, and planned quarterly bonuses making the total salary equivalent to $63,633-$82,720 in accordance with IPP’s payscale which is based on experience. Full benefits include generous vacation leave, sick leave, and 401k along with health, dental, vision, long-term disability, short-term disability, and life insurance.
Illinois Prison Project is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, pregnancy, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, criminal record, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Illinois Prison Project believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success as an organization, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retrain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.
How to Apply:
Please send a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and three professional references to hiring@illinoisprisonproject.org with “Community Navigator” in the subject line.
Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Due to the large volume of applicants, we will not be able to reply to individual emails about an applicant’s status. No phone calls, please.