FDC Philadelphia is a detention facility for pre-trial federal inmates. Interns provide services at the FDC, as well as rotations at nearby BOP facilities. Our training program focuses on correctional psychology and provides interns three, four-month rotations in General Psychology/Restricted Housing, Serious Mental Illness (SMI), and Drug Abuse Programs. It is expected that interns will spend at least half of their 40 hour work week, or 20 hours, in face-to-face direct service delivery.
General Population and Restrictive Housing Services Rotation
This rotation will be primarily conducted at FDC Philadelphia, but interns may also have the opportunities to offer these services at FCI Fairton and FCI Ft. Dix. Interns are responsible for completing intake screenings, evaluating mental health functioning and diagnostic presentation. Interns will provide ongoing treatment to individuals with mental health concerns. Interns will also provide brief services to inmates who are experiencing adjustment problems. At times, psychological interventions may be required to de-escalate individuals engaged in behavioral misconduct. Interns facilitate an evidence-based priority practice group. Potential protocols include anger management, criminal thinking, emotional self-regulation, seeking safety, and Trauma in Life. Interns are trained in crisis intervention, suicide risk assessment, and disruptive behavior management.
Interns participate in a weekly multidisciplinary meeting to review cases of inmates housed in the Special Housing Unit. Interns complete rounds in the Special Housing Unit and address the needs of inmates i through providing self-study material and individual counseling. For inmates housed in a restrictive housing setting for six months, interns complete a mental health screening to evaluate the impact of restrictive housing on mental status.
Interns will complete several intake screenings and diagnostic assessments. The focus of these assessments will be on rapid assessment of individuals for whom records may not be available. Interns are expected to complete at least one comprehensive evaluation during the rotation.
Serious Mental Illness Rotation
This rotation will be shared between FDC Philadelphia and FCI Fairton. Interns will spend up to 40 percent of their time at FCI Fairton.
Interns participate in multidisciplinary meetings and organize group treatment schedules. This rotation will focus on identification and diagnosis of serious mental illness, as well as the utilization of empirically supported interventions for individuals experiencing symptoms. Interns facilitate and co-facilitate groups with Advanced Care Level Psychologists. Interns will also have the opportunity to provide individual treatment to individuals with serious mental illness. Interns are provided training and supervision in providing a supportive group environment, managing group dynamics, and utilizing process commentary to highlight communication styles and improve social skills. Interns facilitate psychoeducational groups utilizing manualized group protocols. Group therapy topics include rational thinking, criminal lifestyles, living with others, lifestyle balance, and recovery maintenance.
Drug Abuse Program Rotation
This rotation will be shared between FDC Philadelphia and FCI Ft. Dix. Interns will spend up to 40 percent of their time at FCI Ft. Dix.
Interns will work closely with the Drug Abuse Program Coordinator and the Drug Treatment Specialist to assess, treat, and manage inmates with substance abuse problems. Interns will learn to assess and differentiate substance withdrawal from other mental health conditions. Interns may observe clinical supervision of treatment specialists, participate in multidisciplinary meetings, organize group treatment schedules, and complete various documentation related to correctional management and treatment of individuals with Substance Use Disorders. In addition to assessment for the Residential and Nonresidential Drug Abuse Programs, interns will have the opportunity to provide assessment and treatment for individuals receiving Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Opioid Use Disorders. Services at FDC Philadelphia will focus on provision of services in the Nonresidential Drug Abuse Program. At FCI Ft. Dix, the focus will be on providing services in the Modified Therapeutic Community of the Residential Drug Abuse Program. Interns facilitate and co-facilitate process groups and psychoeducational groups with the Drug Abuse Program Coordinator and treatment specialists. Interns are provided training and supervision in providing a supportive group environment, managing group dynamics, and utilizing process commentary to highlight communication styles and improve social skills.