The Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) internship is a full-time, 2000 hour program which will be completed within a 12 month period. Interns are required to complete a background investigation, pass a drug test, and graduate the CDOC Training Academy (CTA). Interns are offered the opportunity to complete two training rotations during the 12 month assignment. There are 5 rotations available to include:
(1) Centennial Correctional Facility (CCF) located in Canon City, contains a Residential Treatment Program (RTP). This facility houses offenders suffering from significant personality pathology and/or major mental illness. Interns assigned to this rotation will conduct both group and individual therapy, and conduct crisis assessment/intervention.
(2) Centennial Correctional Facility (CCF) located in Canon City, contains the Diagnostic Unit. This facility houses offenders suffering from significant personality pathology and/or major mental illness. Interns assigned to this rotation will have a small clinical caseload, but will largely focus on conducting diagnostic assessments.
(3) Centennial Correctional Facility (CCF) located in Canon City primarily houses medium custody offenders. Assigned interns will function as part of the Sex Offender Treatment and Management Program (SOTMP). Interns assigned to this rotation will shadow sex offender groups, carry a small individual therapy caseload, and conduct Offense Specific Evaluations.
(4) Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility (CTCF) located in Canon City, is a Medium Security facility. Within this facility there are several program specific units, including the Positive Development Program (PDP) and the Infirmary. Interns will learn crisis assessment and intervention by working with offenders in the infirmary who are typically experiencing significant emotional/behavioral dysregulation or severe psychosis. The intern will also conduct cognitive testing and neuropsychological screening to determine if the offenders are in need of services within the PDP program. They will also maintain a large caseload, which focuses on brief, solution-focused intervention. Group facilitation may also be an expectation.
(5) San Carlos Correctional Facility (SCCF) located in Pueblo, is an RTP like CCF, but serves those offenders with more severe mental illness and also those with cognitive deficits (PDP or Dementia). Interns assigned to this facility will be offering group and individual therapy to offenders experiencing varying degrees of psychosis or mood symptoms. Interns will be educated regarding the Token Economy used with offenders that suffer from both major mental illness and cognitive deficits. Additionally, they will participate in crisis assessment and diagnostic testing as needed.
All of these facility rotations offer a range of mental health services, such as diagnostic testing, individual therapy, sex offender treatment, crisis assessment, and group treatment to offenders that vary in security level and mental health needs. Interns will also participate in weekly group supervision and didactic seminars covering topics ranging from ethics and diagnostic decision-making to those more focused on working within a correctional/forensic environment. Interns will also participate in two different quarterly seminars, one focused on topics related to assessment and another focused on diversity. The internship training committee also facilitates a monthly journal club for the internship cohort. Tours of different correctional and clinical facilities will also be conducted, allowing interns the opportunity to explore treatment offerings in various settings.