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Site Name: Federal Correctional Complex, Allenwood

Department: Psychology Department

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Department : Psychology Department

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 2365
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: Federal Correctional Complex, Allenwood
Department: Psychology Department
Address: FCI Allenwood
PO Box 3500
White Deer, Pennsylvania 17887
Country: United States
Metro Area: Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Distance from Major City: 2.5 hours from Philadelphia; 3 hours from New York; 3.5 hours from Washington D.C.; 3.5 hours from Pittsburgh
Phone: 570-547-7950x5126
Fax:
Training Director Email: s1camp@bop.gov
Co-Training Director Email:
Web Address: https://bophrmd--hrdev.sandbox.my.site.com/s/intern-brochures
Brochure Website's Address: https://bophrmd--hrdev.sandbox.my.site.com/s/intern-brochures
Primary Agency Type: Prison or Other Correctional Facility
Additional Agency Types:
Member of APPIC since:
Accreditation
APA Accreditation Accredited, Inactive
CPA Accreditation Not Accredited
Internship Staff/Faculty Information
Training Director: Sarah Foura
Chief Psychologist: Sarah Foura
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 10
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 0
Position Information
Start Date: 08/08/2027
Funded
Number of Full Time Slots Expected Next Class: 3
Number of Part Time Slots Expected Next Class: 0
Stipend
Full Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 63780
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 0
Fringe Benefits: Comp Time , Dissertation Release Time, Dental Insurance, Health Insurance, Licensing Exam Release Time, Professional Development Time, Sick Leave, Vacation
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above): 11 paid federal holidays
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site The typical work day varies greatly depending on the rotation. Activities on the Substance Use Disorder Treatment rotation include participation in individual, group, and milieu therapies, interdisciplinary consultation, and program administration activities. On the Serious Mental Illness rotation, interns are involved in assessment activities (i.e., interviewing, testing, record review, collateral contacts, report writing) and individual and group treatment with sentenced and/or civilly committed inmates. The Correctional Psychology rotation sees interns involved in mental health screening, crisis intervention/suicide risk assessment, individual and group therapy, and assessment. Ordinarily, the workday starts at 7:30am and ends at 4:00pm, which includes a 30-minute unpaid lunch break.
Does this site have practicum psychology students on site? Yes
Doctoral Psychology Practicum StudentsYes
Masters Psychology Practicum StudentsYes
Do Psychology Interns/Postdocs Have the Opportunity to Supervise Practicum Students?Yes
Is this program fully affiliated with one or more doctoral programs? No
Is this program partially affiliated with one or more doctoral programs? No
Internship Application Process
Accepting Applicants: Yes
Application Due Date: 11/01/2026 11:59 PM EST
A Virtual Interview are: Required
Interview notification date: 12/15/2026
Tentative interview date: 01/01/2027
Interview process description:

After submission and review of the APPIC application, selected individuals will be invited via email to proceed with the USAJobs application. After closure of the USAJobs application, only applicants that are assessed as qualified and inlcuded in the Best Qualified category will be considered for an interview. 

Applicants will be notified by December 15, 2026 whether they will be invited for an interview with FCC Allenwood.  Virtual interviews will be held in January 2027 (typically early to mid-month). The interview day will be comprised of panel interviews, inclusive of Human Resources and at least one, often several, supervisory level psychologists. Questions will range from responding to a number of scenarios that could arise in a correctional facility and those of greater subject matter specificity. There will additionally be an opportunity offered for all candidates to participate in a virtual open house, wherein a number of psychologists within the department are available to discuss and answer questions regarding specific programs, rotation elements, or other points of interest or inquiry pertaining to FCC Allenwood, the psychology department and its programs, or the area in general.

FCC Allenwood utilizes a structured interview process, standardized interview questions, and a consistent candidate evaluation rubric to ensure an equitable evaluation of all applicants.  

Offers of internship positions resulting from the computer match are strictly contingent upon satisfactory completion of the background investigation process. For individuals selected through the matching process, a field investigation will follow to verify the information provided in interviews and required forms is accurate. During the background investigation, you will be required to disclose any medical or mental health diagnoses and treatment. Medical and mental health records are reviewed by FBOP physicians given the nature of a correctional setting. Additionally, the Federal Bureau of Prisons is a drug free workplace, which includes recreational or medicinal marijuana use. Failure to complete this process or a finding that an applicant is outside the guidelines for employment in a sensitive position would preclude participation in the internship program. 
How to obtain application info: Visit Website
Preferred method of contacting the program: Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs:
Internship Applicant Requirements
US Citizenship Required: Yes
If NOT a U.S. Citizen, Authorization to Work or to Engage in Practical Training (CPT or OPT) in the US is Required: No
Canadian Citizenship Required: No
If NOT a Canadian Citizen, Authorization to Work in Canada or to Engage in Practical Training (CPT or OPT) in Canada is Required: No
Masters Degree Required: No
Comprehensive Exams Passed: Yes, by application deadline
Dissertation Proposal Approved: Yes, by application deadline
Dissertation Defended: No
Minimum Number of AAPI Intervention Hours (if applicable): 400
Minimum Number of AAPI Assessment Hours (if applicable): 100
Minimum Number of Combined Intervention and Assessment Hours (if applicable):
Does your program require applicants to submit supplemental materials (i.e., an assessment report and/or a case/treatment summary): Yes
Minimum Number of Years of Grad Training Required (if applicable):
Accepted / Not-Accepted Program Types
Clinical Psychology Accepted
Counseling Psychology Accepted
School Psychology Not Accepted
APA-Accredited Accepted
CPA-Accredited Not Accepted
PCSAS-Accredited Not Accepted
Non-Accredited Not Accepted
Ph.D Degree Accepted
Psy.D. Degree Accepted
Ed.D. Degree Not Accepted
This institution, department, internship, or postdoctoral program requires trainees to sign a statement about personal behavior and/or religious beliefs as a condition of admission and/or retention in the program: No
How to obtain text of statement:
Other Requirements: Offers of internship positions resulting from the computer match are strictly contingent upon satisfactory completion of the background investigation process. For individuals selected through the matching process, a field investigation will follow to verify the information provided in interviews and required forms is accurate. During the background investigation, you will be required to disclose any medical or mental health diagnoses and treatment. Medical and mental health records are reviewed by FBOP physicians given the nature of a correctional setting. No single diagnosis is grounds for ineligibility and each case is reviewed individually. Although not an exhaustive list, individuals must be able to walk and stand for an hour, run, climb stairs, lift, and maintain visual, hearing, and smelling acuity. Mental health symptoms must be well managed with no reported concerns with activities of daily living. Additionally, the Bureau of Prisons is a drug free workplace, which includes recreational or medicinal marijuana use. Failure to complete this process or a finding that an applicant is outside the guidelines for employment in a sensitive position would preclude participation in the internship program. Once hired, interns must comply with the Bureau's Program Statement on Standards of Employee Conduct. This information is not intended to discourage applications, but to ensure applicants are aware of the additional law enforcement requirements that will be imposed should they wish to pursue a Bureau of Prisons Internship position.
Program Description

The internship at the Federal Correctional Complex Allenwood is a one-year, full time training program (2,000 hours minimum).  FCC Allenwood is made up of three institutions: United States Penitentiary (USP), Federal Correctional Institution (FCI), and Low Security Correctional Institution (LSCI).  The FCC Allenwood reservation consists of 4,252 acres of federally owned land in central Pennsylvania, and is situated in the foothills of the Northern Allegheny Mountains.  The institution is conveniently located within two to three hours from five major metropolitan areas, and interns enjoy the ability to easily travel to New York City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Washington DC for long weekends or holidays.

FCC Allenwood has one of the largest psychology departments in the Bureau of Prisons with among the largest number and variety of specialty mental health missions, and we continue to grow.  FCC Allenwood was recently designated the first ever “mental health penitentiary,” and we are currently activating multiple novel residential treatment units to meet the unique needs of high security inmates.  These new programs target seriously mentally ill and violent offenders, offenders with severe personality disorders, offenders with intellectual and developmental disorders, and offenders who have a history of difficulty integrating into the general population.  As many of the programs FCC Allenwood has been tasked with developing do not yet exist anywhere else in the Bureau of Prisons, interns may have the unique opportunity to assist with developing evidence-based programming for the new units. 

In addition to the activation of new programs, FCC Allenwood is home to several established residential treatment programs, where we offer a variety of experiences in comprehensive psychological assessment, individual therapy, group therapy, and peer supervision.  Interns have the unique opportunity to provide services in the Secure Mental Health - Step Down Program (SMH-SDP), which is one of two such units in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and houses 30 severely mentally ill inmates with a significant history of violence, some of whom are civilly committed.  FCC Allenwood is also home to the Transitional Care Unit (TCU), which is the only program of its kind in the BOP, and addresses the transitional needs of mentally ill inmates who have spent extended periods of time in secure treatment programs or restrictive housing settings.  FCC Allenwood also boasts two Residential Drug Abuse Programs (RDAP), an anticipated forthcoming BRAVE unit which is a residential treatment program for first time or youthful BOP offenders, and a robust general population mental health mission serving a high volume of mental health presentations of varying complexities at each of our three security level facilities.

Additional information about the FCC Allenwood internship program can be found by visiting this website: Intern Brochures

The updated internship brochure is expected to be available online by October 1, 2026. If you would like to receive a copy before then, or for any other inquiries, please contact Dr. Sarah Foura, Chief Psychologist at the following email address: s1camp@bop.gov.

Internship Training Opportunities

Populations
Infants:
Toddlers:
Children:
Adolescents:
Adults: Yes
Family:
Older Adults: Yes
Inpatients: Yes
Outpatients: Yes
LGBTQ+: Yes
Ethnic minorities: Yes
Spanish-speaking: Yes
French-speaking:
Deaf/Hearing-impaired: Yes
Students:
International Students:
Rural: Yes
Urban: Yes
Low income: Yes
People without housing:
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

Treatment Modalities
Assessment: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Individual Therapy: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Couples Therapy:
Family Therapy:
Group Therapy: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Community Intervention:
Consultation/Liaison: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Crisis Intervention: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Brief Psychotherapy: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Long-term Psychotherapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Cognitive Rehabilitation:
Primary Care:
Evidenced Based Practice: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Evidence Based Research:
Supervision of Practicum students : Exposure (1% to 20%)
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

Experience
Health Psychology:
Women's Health:
HIV/AIDS: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Eating Disorders:
Sexual Disorders: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Sports Psychology:
Rehabilitation Psychology:
Physical Disabilities: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Learning Disabilities: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Developmental Disabilities:
Assessment: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Neuropsychology-Adult:
Neuropsychology-Child:
Serious Mental Illness: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Anxiety Disorders: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Trauma/PTSD: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Sexual Abuse: Experience (21% to 30%)
Substance Use Disorders: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Forensics/Corrections: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Sexual Offenders: Experience (21% to 30%)
Geropsychology:
Pediatrics:
School:
Counseling:
Vocational/Career Development:
Multicultural Therapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Feminist Therapy:
Religion/Spirituality:
Empirically-Supported Treatments: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Public Policy/Advocacy:
Program Development/Evaluation: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Supervision: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Research:
Administration: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Integrated health care - primary:
Integrated health care - specialty:
Other:

Additional information about training opportunities: Not all rotations or training experiences may be available as described in the APPIC Directory. Please consult the program's application materials or their website at: https://bophrmd--hrdev.sandbox.my.site.com/s/intern-brochures  for a complete description of the training opportunities available at this training site. IF the site has not updated their information by August 1, feel free to contact the Training Director for additional information.

Summary of the Characteristics of the Specified Internship Class
2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021 2021-2022 2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025 2025-2026 2026-2027
Number of Completed Applications: 5 43 51 62 59 66 53 54 83 0
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 4 22 28 31 33 31 28 29 29 0
Total number of interns: 1 4 4 6 6 2 5 4 0 0
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 1 4 4 6 6 2 5 4
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 1 2 2 1 2 1 1 1
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 2 2 5 4 1 4 3
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs:
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program 3 3 6 5 1
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 1 1 1 0 1 1
Number of interns that come from a School Psychology program
Range of integrated assessment reports: lowest number of reports written 16 7 13 4
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written 61 67 35 54
Summary of Post Internship Employment Settings of Each Internship Class (1st Placement)
2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025 2025-2026
Academic teaching:
Community mental health center: 0 0 1 0
Consortium: 0 0 0 0
University Counseling Center: 0 0 0 0
Hospital/Medical Center: 0 0 0 0
Veterans Affairs Health Care System: 0 0 1 0
Psychiatric facility: 0 1 0 0
Correctional facility: 2 3 0 0
Health Maintenance Organization: 0 0 0 0
School district/system: 0 0 0 0
Independent practice setting: 0 0 0 0
Other (Academic Psychology Department): 0 0 0 0
Link to Program's Trainee Admissions, Support, and Outcome Data:
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