Interns’ and Volunteers’ Stories

Each week during our summer internship program, we ask our students to write a response to a prompt or question that allows them to reflect on their experiences – with clients, the criminal justice system, or the GJP staff. 

An Intern’s Reflection “I Used to Think…Now I Know”

“I used to think that criminal activity was truly indicative of someone’s character. That somehow, the moments in which a person chose to harm someone else or break the law were an accurate reflection of that person’sentire character, even invalidating or undermining all the other moments of that person’s life in which they were responsible, honest, moral and [...]

An Intern’s Reflection

“Last week the interns were shepherded to court with an opportunity to watch a plea hearing of one of GJP’s previous clients. This case was unique. Not only were the charges against the client severe but the case was closed almost five years ago when a jury handed down a guilty verdict. The case and the client, however, had a number of exceptional conditions that encouraged the judge to grant a new trial. The hearing impacted me in many ways. Not only was it was my first plea hearing but the client was my age. 

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