PLS Full-Time Brutality Paralegal

Prisoners’ Legal Services (PLS) is seeking an outstanding full-time Brutality paralegal advocate committed to protecting the civil rights of incarcerated individuals. The Brutality paralegal is responsible for combatting staff-on-prisoner assaults in Massachusetts prisons and jails. The Brutality Paralegal functions as the PLS authority regarding incidents of staff-on-prisoner brutality within the MA prison system, serving as the primary resource for information on brutality trends and policies. This role involves efforts to prevent staff-on-prisoner assaults, advocate for affected prisoners, provide legal assistance, and raise community awareness about this issue.

Responsibilities Include but not are not limited to:

Client Intake:

• Handling telephone calls and reviewing correspondence from incarcerated individuals regarding staff assaults on prisoners.
• Assessing and evaluating intake matters to determine the need for further investigation
• Initiating and managing inquiries for both new and ongoing staff assault intake matters, monitoring all investigations, and ensuring their prompt and timely conclusion.
• Providing guidance and counsel to clients concerning their legal rights in connection with the assaults, and keeping them informed about the progress and updates in their intakes.

Litigation and Policy support:

• Conducting legal research, working on brutality focused projects, contributing to brutality litigation and casework, and aiding in brutality case referrals as assigned
• Conducting meetings and interviews with incarcerated clients in Massachusetts state prisons, houses of correction, and county jails, including documenting and capturing images of physical injuries or health conditions
• Visiting and interviewing prisoner witnesses to assaults at Massachusetts state prisons or jails
• Creating and maintaining client files for all staff assault cases, while also ensuring the database is consistently updated for accuracy
• Monitoring all instances of brutality litigation handled internally by PLS and those that are directed to external private counsel
• Assisting in the planning of regular brutality meetings, presenting case summaries of investigated cases for litigation consideration and ensuring completion of all required follow-up tasks.
• Participate in championing the rights of incarcerated individuals through advocacy on all new and ongoing staff assault matters

Administrative/Other:

• Active participation in monthly PLS staff meetings and regular supervision meetings
• Compiling statistics for brutality grant applications and reporting purposes as requested
• Collaborating effectively with incarcerated clients, PLS team members, and the private bar
• Active participation in formulating strategies to attain the project's goal, including potential engagement with the media, building coalitions and community organizing, and providing legislative and policy support
• Assisting in the supervision of student interns and volunteers on brutality work.
• Completing any additional tasks as assigned by the Brutality Project Director or Executive Director

Qualifications:

• Must be comfortable engaging in frequent communication with incarcerated clients through in person visits, virtual visits, telephone and letter and advocating for their needs.
• Must have good communication, both written and oral presentation skills as well as good interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated strong organizational and administrative skills
• Demonstrated capacity to work collaboratively with a team and independently
• Ability to think quickly and solve problems effectively
• Attention to detail required
• Sensitivity to issues and concerns of communities of color and other diverse groups is required
• Ability to work under high-pressure conditions and handle emotionally challenging situations effectively
• Must be willing to travel and conduct in-person visits with individuals currently incarcerated in Massachusetts prisons, houses of correction, and jails
• Applicants must have a valid driver’s license or government ID and must have no restrictions that would prevent them from visiting clients in Massachusetts prisons or jails.

Preferred qualifications but not required

• Experience working with and advocating for marginalized populations
• Experience as a paralegal, a bachelor's degree or paralegal certification
• Proficiency in a second language, such as Spanish and Portuguese are preferred

Benefits and Salary

PLS offers a very competitive salary within the legal services field and commensurate with experience with a starting salary of $53,750. PLS provides a comprehensive benefits package, including generous PTO, loan forgiveness program, 100% paid full medical, dental and vision coverage, a 401k retirement plan, disability and life insurance. Flex time or other alternative arrangements considered. PLS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

How to Apply

Please send a cover letter, resume, writing sample and references attached to a single email to

lrydzewski@plsma.org with the subject line “Brutality Paralegal” as soon as

possible. Interviews will take place on a rolling basis until the position is

filled.

No phone calls or mail inquiries please.

BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ individuals, formerly incarcerated and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.