Spring Break Prison Project
Nothing in law school or even in my life has felt quite like it - and certainly nothing prepared me for it...
Knowing that many individuals were going free or would get out of prison soon because of our work gave a satisfaction that went beyond mere happiness; one that spoke to a more lasting sort of meaningfulness...
Phillip Allevato
The Spring Break Prison Project is an immersive, high-impact global experience for 2L and 3L law students ready to take their legal education beyond the classroom. Over 10 days, students travel by invitation to Uganda or another partner nation, where they work inside correctional facilities alongside judges, prosecutors, and local attorneys to advance plea bargaining initiatives and review active cases.
This is hands-on legal work. Students analyze real case files, collaborate across cultures, and see firsthand how alternative dispute resolution can strengthen judicial systems. In just one week inside the prison, participants develop practical skills in negotiation, client communication, and case analysis while contributing to the reduction of case backlog.
Students return both professionally sharpened and personally transformed, with greater
confidence, a broader global perspective, and a clearer sense of the kind of lawyer
they hope to become.
A Typical 10-Day Itinerary
While each trip is shaped by the needs of our host country, a traditional Spring Break Prison Project follows this rhythm:
Thursday – Depart the United States as a team.
Friday/Saturday – Arrive in-country, settle in, and begin cultural orientation.
Sunday – Half-day training and preparation: plea bargaining framework review, case file
overview, team assignments, and collaboration with local legal partners.
Monday–Thursday – Prison Project in action. Teams work daily inside correctional facilities reviewing
case files, conducting interviews, engaging in plea discussions, and collaborating
with prosecutors and judicial officers.
Friday–Saturday – Cultural immersion and reflection, often including a safari or regional excursion
that allows students to experience the beauty and hospitality of the host country.
Saturday evening – Depart for home.
Sunday – Arrive back in the United States.
The week is intense, meaningful, and unforgettable. It's marked by long days of focused legal work and awe-inspiring cultural experiences.
Application & Preparation
Applications typically open in October, with decisions released in November.
Selected students attend a series of pre-trip sessions that prepare them legally, culturally, and practically for the experience.
These sessions include training in plea bargaining and ADR, team formation, case review
preparation, and cross-cultural engagement. By the time students board the plane,
they are ready not only to participate, but to contribute meaningfully from day one.
Learn more about a Prison Project
