The initiative aims to examine cases where a person may have been wrongfully convicted, and assist in exonerating that person if there is evidence of a wrongful conviction.
Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative
The Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative is a joint venture between RMIT University and The Bridge of Hope Foundation that aims to investigate claims of wrongful conviction.
About the Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative
The Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative at RMIT is a joint venture between RMIT University and The Bridge of Hope Foundation. The Initiative follows the work of others in the innocence movement who aim to both investigate claims of wrongful conviction and campaign for reform of issues that lead to these injustices.
The Bridge of Hope Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation. Established in 2001, The Bridge of Hope Foundation Inc is a registered not-for-profit, social justice charity with Deductible Gift Recipient taxation status.
The principal activities of the Bridge of Hope Foundation centre upon matters of social justice, the implementation of justice reinvestment policies and the provision of both the emotional and physical tools required to assist in turning disadvantaged lives around.
Enquiries about claims of factual innocence
If you, or someone you know, claim factual innocence and wish to have the matter reinvestigated by the Innocence Initiative, you may apply by completing the application form and returning it by email or post to the address below:
Email: innocence.initiative@rmit.edu.au
Post: Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative at RMIT, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne VIC 3001
Phone: (03) 99252997
The Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative is open to undergraduate, honours and postgraduate students.
The Innocence Initiative runs across the year in semesters 1 and 2 as well as spring and summer semesters. For more information about the availability of the Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative, please contact us.
You do not need to have legal skills or legal knowledge to intern with the Initiative, as training will be provided. As part of the Initiative, you will be supervised primarily by a lawyer, as well as a designated RMIT Criminology and Justice staff member.
Course information
Criminology and Justice Studies students
Eligible students within Criminology & Justice Studies (which includes the Bachelor of Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Legal and Dispute Studies, Bachelor of Criminology & Psychology, and Master of Justice and Criminology) may apply for an internship working with the Initiative. See Program canvas page for further details.
Students from other programs
If successful in your application, you will enrol in an elective internship course. The elective course you will enrol into is either one of the following:
- For postgraduate students – Professional Internship HWSS2186 (12 credit point elective)
- For undergraduate students – Professional Internship HWSS2156 (12 credit point elective)
You must have permission from your program area or school to be involved with the Initiative and to enrol into this course.
Application process and selection criteria
Places are limited and determined through a competitive selection process for each intake. If your application is shortlisted, you will be required to attend an interview and obtain a successful police check. If your application is successful, you will enrol in a Criminology and Justice internship course in the appropriate semester.
To be eligible to apply, you should:
- be an undergraduate, honours or postgraduate student at RMIT
- have a GPA of 2.5 or above in your current program (exceptional cases will be considered)
- have completed at least 96 credit points in your current program (not including credit for prior study or experience)
- be able to travel to the Melbourne City campus to take part in key activities
Students from the School of Global, Urban and Social Studies (GUSS)
- Log into InPlace using your RMIT credentials.
- The Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative may be open for applications in several semesters and each semester will be listed separately. Select the appropriate semester for you from the ‘Opportunities’ menu.
- Click ‘Submit Application’ to open the ‘Application Submission’ window.
- To upload your cover letter and resume, click ‘Upload Attachment’ to open a ‘Browse’ window. Select the file.
- Click ‘Submit Application’ to submit your application.
- Log out of InPlace.
For assistance or further information, please lodge an enquiry with RMIT Connect In the short description you can indicate either BoHII, GUSS WIL placement or Inplace.
View the Inplace quick reference guide.
Students from schools other than Global, Urban and Social Studies
To apply, you are required to email a current resume to bohii@rmit.edu.au.
Contact us
The Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative administration
Email: bohii@rmit.edu.au
Staff
Contact for all student, media and research enquiries:
