Prison Reform Policy Analyst, Criminal Law & Justice Center , BerkeleyLaw Berk

Prison Reform Policy Analyst, Criminal Law & Justice Center (7398U), Berkeley Law

Location:

Main Campus – Berkeley

Full/Part Time:
Full Time

The Criminal Law & Justice Center (CLJC) serves as a vital hub for advancing criminal justice reform, policy research, and practical legal advocacy. Through our commitment to these programs, we bridge academic research with real-world impact, supporting empirical studies on indigent defense systems, access to justice, evidence‑based policy recommendations, and student engagement in criminal justice advocacy.

As a key member of CLJC's Prison Rape Elimination initiative, the Policy Analyst will coordinate comprehensive research efforts and manage the initiative’s programmatic direction. The role synthesizes existing research on prisoner sexual abuse prevention, detection, and response, collaborates with research partners, and facilitates targeted investigations to build an evidence base for reform. The Analyst works extensively with advocacy organizations, academic researchers, and formerly incarcerated individuals to develop collaborative approaches that translate scholarly insights into actionable policy recommendations.

• Conduct analytical studies on legislation, policies, programs, and issues related to sexual abuse prevention, detection, and response in correctional settings, including comparative analysis across jurisdictions.
• Research, monitor, and analyze legislation, regulations, and policies at California, federal, and international levels related to correctional facility safety and sexual abuse prevention.
• Develop proposals and recommendations to guide programmatic direction for CLJC’s Prison Rape Elimination initiative, including policy frameworks for institutional reform beyond existing approaches.
• Coordinate with external and internal partners, CDCR, advocacy organizations, and formerly incarcerated individuals to gather data and develop independent assessments of current practices and needed reforms.
• Research and draft complex proposals, reports, briefings, and legislative recommendations aimed at strengthening prevention, detection, investigations, and response to sexual abuse in prisons, jails, and other correctional settings.
• Develop scope of work, budgets, and progress reports for research projects, ensuring alignment with center objectives and funder requirements.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.
• Support the organization of conferences, workshops, and preparation of discussion papers related to the initiative.

• Strong knowledge of carceral systems and criminal justice institutions.
• Strong background in criminal justice research with expertise in carceral systems.
• Advanced policy analysis techniques and problem‑solving skills.
• Experience in policy analysis and development.
• Ability to analyze, research, and synthesize large amounts of data for sound policy recommendations.
• Track record of translating research into actionable policy recommendations.
• Understanding of institutional research compliance and ethics requirements.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to engage with diverse stakeholders, including vulnerable populations.
• Knowledge of research compliance and human subjects protocols.
• Demonstrated ability to work with sensitive data and vulnerable populations.
• Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to multi‑task with demanding time frames in a dynamic policy environment and meet competing deadlines.
• Strong skills in analyzing, researching, and synthesizing large amounts of data for proposals and analyses.
• Excellent project management and team coordination capabilities.
• Strong computer skills with the ability to learn new software programs and computer systems.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that promotes collaboration and mutual respect among all members of the UC Berkeley community and its stakeholders.
• Must demonstrate strong interpersonal skills,…