by Hannah Krenn, Former LSPC Intern
This past summer, I had the opportunity to intern at Legal Services for Prisoners with Children (LSPC), an organization dedicated to advocating for the release of incarcerated people, restoring human and civil rights, and reunifying families and communities. Thanks to the support of the Cohen Summer Public Service Fellowship, I was able to contribute to this important work while exploring my own path in the legal field.
One of my main goals for the internship was to support LSPC’s letter response program, helping incarcerated individuals access legal resources. I also hoped to determine whether I wanted to pursue a legal career. By the end of the summer, I had not only gained hands-on experience in legal advocacy but also found clarity in my decision to apply to law school.
The majority of my internship was spent responding to letters from incarcerated people across the country. I collaborated with LSPC staff attorneys to send letter-writers legal manuals, tailoring each response to the writer’s specific situation. This work was intellectually stimulating, as every case required different resources. Many of the letter-writers had few, if any, people on the outside advocating for them, so each response felt like a meaningful way to offer support.
Beyond letter writing, I traveled to Sacramento three times with the LSPC team to advocate for ACA 8, a measure to amend the California Constitution and eliminate the exception that allows involuntary servitude (slavery) as punishment for a crime. I witnessed ACA 8 pass both houses of the California Legislature, securing its place on the November ballot as Proposition 6. After that victory, I compiled a list of progressive organizations in California that could support the campaign. It was thrilling to contribute to LSPC’s historic fight to end slavery in the state.
My internship also involved assisting with Public Record Act data requests to the Alameda County District Attorney’s office. LSPC is gathering data to support claims under the California Racial Justice Act (RJA), which allows people to seek relief if racial discrimination or disparities affected their cases. Since proving racial disparities requires extensive data analysis, I was grateful to contribute to this important effort.
Observing court proceedings at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse in Oakland provided another valuable learning experience. I took notes on cases, paying close attention to any signs of judicial bias or irregularities. This firsthand exposure deepened my understanding of courtroom dynamics.
In addition to legal work, I supported fundraising and outreach efforts by mailing annual reports to donors and distributing newspapers to incarcerated people. Strengthening these connections between LSPC, its supporters, and the people it serves reinforced the importance of sustained advocacy and communication.
Outside of the office, I attended events that enriched my perspective on incarceration and justice. I watched Sing Sing, a moving film based on the true story of actors inside Sing Sing Prison, and attended a talk by Dorsey Nunn, LSPC’s former Executive Director, on his new memoir, What Kind of Bird Can’t Fly. Engaging with LSPC’s work through film and literature was an inspiring complement to my internship.
One of the most challenging moments of my internship came early on when I encountered a letter from an incarcerated person struggling with suicidal and homicidal thoughts due to untreated schizophrenia. My supervising attorney and I decided to call the prison’s suicide hotline. The officer who answered dismissed my concerns, claiming I had called the wrong number. Despite my persistence, his response lacked urgency. I left a message for the Director of Medical Services, who eventually called me back but also seemed dismissive. Finally, I reached the writer’s assigned counselor, who took my concerns seriously and assured me she would meet with him. That interaction provided some relief, but the experience underscored how difficult it is to ensure incarcerated people receive the care they need.
While this was the most extreme case I encountered, many of the letters described deeply traumatic experiences—homelessness, family separation, and violence inside prisons. The most difficult part of my internship was managing my emotional responses while remaining focused on finding resources to help. Fortunately, I worked in a supportive office environment, and my coworkers made this challenging work much easier.
Academically and professionally, my internship strengthened my legal knowledge and analytical skills. LSPC has developed legal manuals specific to incarcerated parents, covering topics such as child custody, visitation, and pregnancy. However, letters also addressed issues like inadequate medical care, wrongful imprisonment, and resentencing. To respond effectively, I consulted additional resources like the Prison Law Office Prison & Parole Handbook and conducted independent research. Since LSPC specializes in California law but receives letters from across the country, I often had to look up state-specific laws. An LSPC staff attorney reviewed my responses, guided me toward helpful legal manuals, and helped me think through the best resources to provide. Through this collaboration, I learned a great deal about legal research and advocacy.
On a personal level, I grew by developing relationships with many people at LSPC, including my supervisor, attorneys, fellow interns, administrative staff, and formerly incarcerated advocates. I was especially inspired by a colleague who was incarcerated for over two decades and now works tirelessly to help people secure parole and successfully reenter society. Learning from people with lived experience in the system deepened my understanding of incarceration’s long-term impact and reinforced my commitment to justice work.
This experience, made possible by generous donors, had a profound impact on my future plans. My time at LSPC has shaped my senior History thesis, which will examine the incarceration of Black Americans before Emancipation to explore the historical connections between incarceration and slavery. The Executive Director, who shares my interest in history, provided valuable insights and suggested I research the role of incarceration in enforcing the Fugitive Slave Act. Advocating for ACA 8 also illuminated the present-day links between slavery and incarceration—incarcerated Californians can currently be legally forced to work. Understanding these historical and modern connections will inform my research.
Finally, my internship at LSPC has strengthened my decision to pursue law school. I found the legal research both intellectually engaging and aligned with my skills. Since criminal law so often determines who is incarcerated, understanding and challenging the law is essential to creating a more just system. I hope to contribute to this movement as a lawyer.
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