Last week, as part of my internship, I went on a field trip to the zoo—or at least that’s what it felt like. Because my internship is sponsored by the Guggenheim Foundation, I (along with a group of fifteen or so interns also working at criminal justice nonprofits in the NYC area) must attend three seminars throughout the summer and participate in an online forum with the other interns. Another part of being a Guggenheim intern entails a visit to the Albert C. Wagner Youth Correctional Facility, a multi-level security prison for males ages 24-35.
Entering the prison proved to be a challenge. Each intern had to provide state-issued ID, walk through the metal detector, and undergo a pat-down by a prison guard. The detectors picked up everything—even the underwire in girls’ bras!
I’ve watched my fill of TV shows, and the “pods” were nothing like those on Prison Break or Law & Order. There were 20 to 30 men per pod, and the cramped rooms were filled with bunk beds, a bathroom, lockers, and a television. Groups of men sat around chatting, and all eyes were on us as we entered the central control room. From a small cubicle in the center of the room, we could see all the pods behind a glass pane—and the prisoners had an equally good view of us. I felt like I was regarding a cage of animals, and at the same time, like I was also on display to them. Many of them hadn’t seen females in a while, and some made catcalls when we walked in.
Needless to say, prison was not a pleasant place. And yet, my visit there was an eye-opener. For a while now I’ve interacted with clients with long rap sheets and prison stints at court. Now, I finally knew where they’d come from—and where, despite our efforts, they return someday. While this experience stands out as the most memorable moment so far in my internship, I’m learning new things every day. While I do my fair share of intern grunt work (copying, filing, errands, etc), I’ve still managed to gain some knowledge from it, with some helpful habits I’ve picked up:
Carry a notebook: When I observe court or sit in on a meeting, I’m always jotting down foreign terms so I can look them up later. There may or may not be an occasional doodle as well!
Talk to other interns: It’s helpful to share your experiences. I work with many older social work grad students, and they’ve offered advice on how to choose a major, or decide what I might want to do after college.
Ask! Once a week, my boss will sit down with me and let me fire away; I have a chance to talk to her about anything I’ve seen or any budding questions I have.
If you’re stuck copying papers—read some of them: As long as they’re not confidential, it doesn’t hurt to see what you’re copying. I’ve read over referral sheets, resumes, the curriculum for the job-training program I’m assisting with, etc. and as a result have a better understanding of the court and its functions.
