Become a Volunteer
Reprieve Australia is staffed almost entirely by volunteers. There are two major groups of volunteers:
- local volunteers, who work on discrete issues or campaigns or help administer Reprieve Australia
- overseas volunteers, who are sent to directly assist those facing the death penalty
In order to volunteer with Reprieve Australia, you must be
a member.
Local Volunteers
Reprieve Australia is currently reviewing its domestic volunteer program and is unable to accept applications for volunteer positions at this time. Please check back for new opportunities in the near future.
Overseas Volunteers
One of the critical parts of Reprieve Australia's work has been the establishment of an overseas volunteer program. Through this program, Reprieve Australia places members in the United States as volunteers to help in the provision of adequate legal representation and humanitarian assistance to indigent defendants facing the death penalty.
Reprieve Australia, through its sister organisation, Reprieve US, places volunteers in capital defence and associated offices in the southern United States for periods of three months or more at a time.
Since our first placements in November 2001, we have now placed around 60 volunteers in seven offices in four states in the southern United States. The program continues to grow each year, attracting a mix of students and professionals.
Reprieve Australia overseas volunteers are marked by an unshakeable opposition to the death penalty and a firm commitment to social justice. They possess the maturity and self-sufficiency needed to meet the demands of both the work and placement in a foreign country. Our overseas volunteers have included not only lawyers and law students but firemen, teachers and social workers. No formal qualification is required. Applicants are assessed on their individual merit.
Overseas volunteers are entirely self-funded. While it places, trains and attempts to assist its volunteers wherever possible, Reprieve Australia does not have the resources to financially support them.
If you are interested in the overseas volunteer program please download this information pack.
If you would like to apply for an overseas volunteer position, please complete this application form, and send it and the required attachments (listed on the form) to contact@reprieve.org.au. If you have any questions on the application process, please also email overseas.volunteers@reprieve.org.au.
