I did
not know what to expect when I started at the Pennsylvania Institutional Law
Project (PILP). Now, seven weeks in, I still never know what the day will
bring. One thing is certain; it is pretty much guaranteed that I will hear
a pretty crazy story. Some stories are sad with no relief in sight, like
the inmate who has not seen his children in foster care for years because
the prison is declared unsafe for them. Others even make you giggle, like
the inmates commenting on past girlfriends and experiences in their
neighborhoods. But many are motivational because you realize that one
person, one case, can make a difference. The litigation of one case can
change the conditions of an entire prison affecting thousands of inmates.
Coming
into PILP, I thought that institutionalized individuals had only one
problem, they were institutionalized. However, the range of matters
affecting inmates is never ending. PILP does not only help the inmates,
they also help with issues their families and children will face.
The
civil rights violations that inmates experience in prison initially shocked
me, but I found they were tragically common. PILP gets hundreds of letters
a month from prisoners who are refused medical care or sanitary living
conditions, have been physically or sexually assaulted, or have been denied
their rights in countless other ways.
Some, if
not all of these cases are quite emotional and seem so daunting, but from
what I have seen at PILP, this does not undermine the determination of the
attorneys. On a daily basis I meet people from all different professions.
Whether it is at a civil rights meeting, brown bag lunch, or the Montgomery
County Prison, they all have one thing in common, they work to help people.
They all deal with a diverse set of issues but this does not hinder the
camaraderie amongst the public interest community; you can always find
someone willing to help.
Hands
down, this has to be the best working environment I have ever had the
pleasure to be a part of. Everyone is open to answer any of my questions or
concerns, making sure I have the best experience possible. Although we come
from such different backgrounds we all share the same goal.
I would
like to thank Angus and Rose for sharing their war stories and making sure
that I saw the light at the end of the tunnel and the ability to help no
matter the situation. I would also like to thank Su Ming, David, Chris, and
Agatha for an amazing and entertaining summer.
