Siven Watt: Justice Intern
Siven Watt, Kalisher Justice Intern reflects on his experience
I was extremely pleased, yet surprised, that the Kalisher Trust and JUSTICE offered me the opportunity to intern at the JUSTICE office. The position is usually only offered to BPTC graduates, whereas I had only recently graduated from the Graduate Diploma in Law – this award greatly contributed to my confidence and self-belief.
My time as a Kalisher Intern in JUSTICE’s criminal justice team has been immensely rewarding and has immersed me in high-level policy work. I have worked on a project looking into racial disparity in the youth justice system where I have learned a great deal about criminal law and the criminal justice system. I have conducted legal research into complex issues, drafted several papers on topics such as distrust in BAME communities of the criminal justice system: specifically, stop and search, community policing and pre-charge bail conditions. I have met and worked with many inspirational people, including barristers, judges, academics and civil servants.
The people I have worked with in the office have made me feel very welcome and comfortable, something that I had had apprehensions about prior to starting. I have been more than supported throughout my time at JUSTICE and have been given numerous opportunities to further my experience and skills, including marshalling with HHJ Angela Rafferty QC at the Central Criminal Court and assisting with the Butler Law course at HMP Warren Hill which involved working with inmates on issues related to the criminal justice system. This has been invaluable in informing and confirming my decision to pursue a career at the bar.
At the end of my Kalisher internship, JUSTICE offered me the opportunity to continue to work for the organisation as a Legal Fellow, which I, without a second thought, accepted. No two days have been the same thus far; I continue to be inspired and mentally stimulated. I have learned more about myself and the justice system in the short time I have been here than I could have envisaged – it has been instrumental in my decision to continue in my pursuance of a legal career.