I am excited to share that TOMORROW, Wednesday April 7th, the Second Look Bill (HB686) will be heard on the Texas House floor. I am writing to ask that each of you encourage your representative to vote FOR the bill, and to share with friends and family who might be supportive.
The Second Look Bill (HB 686) allows for parole reform for Texas children sentenced to adult prisons. In Texas, children as young as 14 can be sentenced to spend 40 years in prison before their first parole consideration: 40 years without anyone considering evidence of their rehabilitation or their transformation from the person they were at the time of their offense. These sentences were handed down largely during the tough on crime era of the 90s, and many Second Lookers are now in their early to mid-forties. You can learn more here.
HB 686 allows the Texas Parole Board, appointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, to review persons sentenced as children earlier than 40 years and use a process that considers their youth at the time of the offense and the evidence of their rehabilitation since entering prison.
This weekend, many Texans celebrated redemption and transformation. We urge you today to call your representatives to bring that same spirit to the more than 1600 people waiting to find out if Texas will give them the opportunity to prove that they have redeemed and transformed their lives, or if we have forsaken them. This is a bipartisan bill with support across many different organizations of all political spectrums.
Thank you for your support. Tomorrow is a big day for those we serve.
Elizabeth Henneke
Executive Director, Lone Star Justice Alliance
Project Partners
INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The Lone Star Justice Alliance (LSJA) is seeking interns in its Dallas and Austin offices for Summer 2024. LSJA is a nonprofit legal organization that improves the lives of youth and emerging adults in the justice system. We envision a justice system that uses developmentally-appropriate responses to behavior and treats youth and emerging adults with equity and dignity to promote resilience, conserve costs, and increase public safety.
YOUTH SENTENCING PROJECT
LSJA represents a number of individuals currently serving life or other extreme sentences for offenses that occurred during their youth. We are presently seeking interns to assist with factual and record investigation in these matters. Current law students are encouraged to apply. Intern responsibilities are likely to include record collection and review, interviewing of the client’s social network, correspondence with the client, drafting of memorandum and declarations, and potentially correspondence and collaboration with expert witnesses. Interns will be involved in strategic decision-making concerning the framing of litigation and will have access and input regarding any court filings and proceedings. The position is unpaid but there is a possibility of future employment.
Duties:
- Client record collection (juvenile, child protective services, school, criminal, other) and review;
- Client and fact witness interviewing and memo writing;
- Regular client correspondence;
- Participation in strategic case discussions and decision-making.
Qualifications:
- Demonstrated commitment to social justice;
- Strong organizational skills;
- Strong interpersonal skills (experience interviewing is a plus);
- Strong writing and communication skills.
Please submit cover letter and CV to internships@lsja.org
Supervisor: Elizabeth Henneke
CLEMENCY PROJECT
LSJA seeks interns to work on representing survivors of sex trafficking and intimate partner violence in clemency applications. This project will capitalize on the 2020 application established by Governor Abbott as a result of LSJA’s advocacy. The project entails identifying potential applicants and pro bono partners to submit a high volume of meritorious applications, as well as follow-up data collection and reporting to raise awareness about underlying issues. Interns will assist in all aspects of the project, from correspondence and review of records for potential applicants, to communication with pro bono organizations and practitioners, to preparation and review of application materials, to data collection/review and drafting of report sections. This is an exciting and rare opportunity to be part of a new initiative that stands to bring hope and redemption to a large number of people. Current law students may apply. The position is unpaid, but future employment is a possibility.
Duties:
- Drafting and review of correspondence materials;
- Record collection and review;
- Participation in strategic conferences with partners;
- Communication with coalition and pro bono partners;
- Data collection/review;
- Possible report drafting;
- Client file maintenance (Clio).
Qualifications:
- Demonstrated commitment to public interest work;
- Background in issues pertaining to sex trafficking, domestic violence, or other forms of trauma a plus;
- Strong interpersonal skills;
- Strong organizational and communication skills;
- Ability to coordinate multiple aspects of a complex project involving many and varied personnel;
- Ability to review and compile data/familiarity with statistical analysis.
Please submit cover letter and CV to internships@lsja.org
Supervisor: Elizabeth Henneke
IMPACT LITIGATION
LSJA is seeking interns to assist the organization in conducting impact litigation. Interns will help to file lawsuits intended to change the laws and policies that affect incarcerated youth in Texas. Interns will conduct legal research, draft briefs, and speak with clients. Goals include (1) improving the conditions of confinement for children, (2) lowering the number of children in confinement, (3) moving children in confinement closer to home, and more. This is an exciting and rare opportunity to be part of a new initiative that stands to bring hope to a large number of people. Current law students may apply. The position is unpaid, but future employment is a possibility.
Duties:
- Research on incarcerate settings and civil rights violations;
- Data collection/review;
- Possible report and document drafting;
- File maintenance (Clio).
Qualifications:
- Demonstrated commitment to public interest work;
- Background in issues pertaining to civil rights in incarcerate settings;
- Strong interpersonal skills;
- Strong organizational and communication skills;
- Ability to coordinate multiple aspects of a complex project involving many and varied personnel;
- Ability to review and compile data/familiarity with statistical analysis.
Please submit cover letter and CV to internships@lsja.org
Supervisor: Elizabeth Henneke