This week at the Office of the Attorney General, Rob Bonta, was eye-opening. I was assigned to research organizations that provide legal, financial, or educational services to individuals impacted by the criminal justice system. I reviewed a total of 45 criminal justice organizations and compiled their contact information. Although it was a tedious process, it made me appreciate the data-collection process and the importance of accuracy, which requires patience. Additionally, it gave me valuable experience with Excel. One of the reasons I enjoyed this process was because, as an advocate for transformative justice and the exclusion of the police, I learned about numerous organizations in the California area that align with those goals.
CLA Interns during a tour of Little Tokyo.
On the day I went for my LiveScan and background check, I had the opportunity to meet my internship supervisor, Kathleen, in person. We had been communicating extensively via email, so I was excited to finally meet her. I had been waiting in the lobby of the Department of Justice building, sitting at one of the many red tables. Kathleen had informed me that someone would come to "pick me up" and take me upstairs. The building had strict security measures, so I couldn't go anywhere without a specific badge. After spending some time journaling, I felt a presence approaching, which turned out to be Kathleen's colleague, Anthony. Since I enjoy learning about people and their journeys, I asked Anthony about his path. It turned out that he had previously been incarcerated and upon his release earlier this year, he decided to be on the right side of justice, which led him to work for the Department of Justice. His story was incredibly inspiring and stayed with me as I researched criminal justice organizations. It's easy to acknowledge these organizations, but truly understanding them is a different matter. Organizations like A New Way of Life Reentry Project and Project Kinship provide significant opportunities for individuals going through or having experienced incarceration. A seemingly mundane Excel task actually yielded valuable information. The data I collected will shed light on criminal justice organizations in need of greater support.
Looking ahead, we are beginning the process of creating detailed county memos. This process allows me to continue researching communities in California and ensure that implemented policies align with their needs. I am excited to continue my work with the office and personally document my growth as an intern!
The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not reflect the views or positions of CAUSE or the CAUSE network.
Written by Phong Nguyen , Leadership Academy 2023 Intern.
The CAUSE Leadership Academy (CLA) for students is a nine-week, paid, internship program that prepares college undergraduates to lead and advocate for the Asian Pacific Islander community on their campuses and beyond.