Shaping Second Chances: A Day of Strategy, Story, and Solidarity

Wednesday began with a sense of purpose as interns gathered for breakfast and prepared for one of the most intellectually engaging days of the program. After walking to the classroom, teams dove into their morning rotations, which included time to collaborate with staff and refine their work for both court and Congress. One of the most impactful sessions of the day was the small-group legal strategy meeting with Keah Beeftu, an attorney working directly with the interns on their Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act (IRAA) motions.

Keah created space for teams to thoughtfully examine the heart of their case, who their client is and why their story matters. She pushed students to think beyond surface-level details and challenged them to bring together legal clarity with narrative power. As teams walked through criminal histories, rehabilitation records, and mitigating factors, they began to shape their case into a persuasive, personal appeal for second chances. 

After lunch, the group reconvened for a deeply moving poetry workshop with the Free Minds Book Club, a nonprofit that works with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated youth. Interns read and wrote poetry alongside returning citizens who had once been in the very justice system the interns are now working to reform. The session fostered powerful conversations about resilience, transformation, and the stories that often go unheard in courtrooms.

Later in the afternoon, interns had the opportunity to relax and explore Georgetown, taking a well-deserved break before returning to campus for their final evening work session. With presentations just a day away, teams used the evening to finalize their talking points, rehearse answers, and prepare to bring their hard work to Capitol Hill.

The day closed with a sense of momentum. Interns returned to their dorms not only better prepared, but more connected to the lives behind the legal documents they’ve spent the week analyzing.