Ohio Innocence Project at Cincinnati Law

The OIP Review is an annual magazine covering OIP's efforts to fulfill its mission.

• OIP Review Seventh Edition — A Family Called Freedom
• OIP Review Sixth Edition — Convicting an Innocent Person Convicts a Family, Too
• OIP Review Fifth Edition — Adjusting to Prison with Art and Soul
• OIP Review Fourth Edition — Breaking the Chains: Exonerees Not Always as Free as Expected
• OIP Review Third Edition — OIP Stands Ready to Change the World

Each year, the Ohio Innocence Project at Cincinnati Law, which ranks among the most successful projects in the Innocence Network, selects a team of 20 law students, the majority of whom are in their second year, to serve as Fellows.

OIP Fellows and staff spend many hours reading and writing letters and having telephone conversations with inmates about their cases. Prior to actively taking on a case, if not before, the OIP staff and Fellows will meet the inmate in person to discuss the case, the plan for litigation and the expectations of the inmate and the OIP in the case.

From May through August, the Fellows work 40 hours per week and receive a small stipend for their work. During the academic year, the Fellows work approximately 10 hours per week and receive class credit for their participation.

To apply to be an OIP fellow you must be an admitted student to the College of Law or a current first-year student. Instructions to apply can be found on the admitted students fellowship page.

To qualify for an internship with the OIP, you must meet the following criteria:

• enrolled in an academic program (currently or will be enrolled)
• access to reliable transportation
• ability to bring your own laptop is preferred
• self-motivated and able to work independently
• must be able to respect the confidential nature of the legal work conducted in our office (you will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement)

Our internship program is unpaid. The time commitment is 10 hours per week. The program runs from semester to semester based on the University of Cincinnati’s academic calendar. Each semester, you must re-apply to be considered but we make no guarantees you will be able to participate in the program for longer than one semester.

Some of the tasks our interns are responsible for include:

• picking up and dropping off the incoming and outgoing mail
• filing, scanning and copying
• organizing files
• answering the phones
• general administrative support
• assist with special projects as needed
• assist with events as needed

To apply for an internship, please send the following to Stephanie King at kingsp@ucmail.uc.edu:

• resume
• cover letter explaining why you are interested in our program
• 2 references
• if you are trying to receive credit for a class for this internship, please include the requirements and your advisor or program coordinator’s name and contact information

All applications will be reviewed and responded to by the manager of the internship program. If you qualify and we are interested in learning more about you, an interview at the OIP office will be scheduled.

An inmate requesting the assistance of the OIP should complete the Screening Application (pdf). The inmate must FULLY COMPLETE the form and submit it to the address on the form, otherwise it will be returned and no further action will be taken until returned complete. Print out a hard copy of the application, fill out in ink, and return it by mail if you would like the OIP to review your case.

Dear Bearcats Dash & Bash Supporters,

After much consideration of current COVID-19 circumstances, we are sad to report that our Bearcats Dash & Bash is canceled for 2020.  If you already have registered for this year's race, please see the policy below regarding refunds. 

We will see you on October 3, 2021 for an exciting start of our next Bearcats Dash & Bash!  We are committed to a great comeback! 

Refund policy:  Those who already registered for this year's race have three options.  (1) You may count your registration fee as a donation to the two charities that sponsor the race (the Ohio Innocence Project and the UC Athletic Scholarship Fund); (2) you may defer your registration to next year's race on October 3, 2021; or (3) you may receive a refund.  If you wish to defer or receive a refund, please email Katie Wood at woodkh@ucmail.uc.edu by the end of the day on October 4, 2020; otherwise, your fee will count as a donation.  

Thank you very much for your consideration and understanding.  Please stay safe, healthy, and be well.  Go Bearcats!