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Site Name: Federal Correctional Complex, Florence

Department: Psychology Services

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Department : Psychology Services

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 2614
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Provisional Membership
Site: Federal Correctional Complex, Florence
Department: Psychology Services
Address: 5880 State Highway 67 South
Florence, Colorado 81226
Country: United States
Metro Area: Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Distance from Major City: 40 miles south of Colorado Springs, CO
Phone: 719-784-9464x6289
Fax:
Training Director Email: llares@bop.gov
Co-Training Director Email:
Web Address: https://www.bop.gov/jobs/docs/flx_internship_brochure.pdf
Brochure Website's Address: https://www.bop.gov/jobs/docs/flx_internship_brochure.pdf
Primary Agency Type: Prison or Other Correctional Facility
Additional Agency Types:
  • Prison or Other Correctional Facility
Member of APPIC since:
Accreditation
APA Accreditation Not Accredited
CPA Accreditation Not Accredited
Internship Staff/Faculty Information
Training Director: Sylvia Lares
Chief Psychologist: Jennifer Coulter Rodriguez
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: 08/11/2025
Funded
Number of Full Time Slots Expected Next Class: 3
Number of Part Time Slots Expected Next Class:
Stipend
Full Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 61460
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class:
Fringe Benefits: Comp Time , Dental Insurance, Health Insurance, Sick Leave, Vacation
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above): Psychology interns are appointed at the GS-09, Step 1 level and receive a stipend of approximately $61,460 (2024 figure) for the program year. Interns accrue annual leave (vacation time) and sick leave at the rate of four hours for every two-week pay period (13 days for each). Interns also observe the paid federal holidays, and receive liability coverage for on-site professional activities. As temporary employees, interns are eligible for health insurance; however, retirement benefits are not available. Specific maternity and paternity policies are available in the Human Resource Management Manual (Chapter 6, Section 630.4). In general, interns who require maternity or paternity leave will be expected to first use all accrued hours of annual and sick leave. In the event of maternity or paternity leave, the Internship Program Coordinator will work closely with the intern to ensure all requirements for internship and clinical training hours are completed in a timely manner.
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site Internship duties will vary by rotation. A typical day for an intern on the Correctional Psychology rotation involves completing various clinical duties (e.g., intake screenings, risk screenings, individual and group psychotherapy, crisis intervention, rounds). While on the Substance Use Treatment rotation, interns will participate in community meetings, conduct individual psychotherapy, facilitate group psychotherapy, participate in the screening process for incarcerated individuals requesting treatment, and complete psychosocial assessments. The Trauma Treatment rotation involves diagnostic assessment, treatment planning, and the facilitation of group psychotherapy. Finally, the STAGES Program rotation involves conducting individual and group psychotherapy, participating in multidisciplinary meetings, and participating in program level evaluation meetings.
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: 11/01/2024 11:59 PM EST
Interviews at this site are: Required
Interview notification date: 12/15/2024
Tentative interview date: N/A
Interview process description:

In early December, individual BOP internship sites will be notified which applicants can be invited and scheduled for an interview, which are generally conducted in December or January. The option of a virtual interview will be available once an applicant has completed at least one in-person interview at any BOP internship site.  Applicants will be notified prior to December 15, 2024, whether they will be scheduled for an interview at FCC Florence.

 

As part of the interview process, applicants must satisfactorily pass a security clearance procedure that includes a computerized Core Values Assessment (CVA), a pre-employment interview, an integrity interview which addresses issues of personal conduct, a subject matter expert interview, and a drug test. Any drug use is prohibited, including marijuana, even if legal in the state you reside. The computerized Core Values Assessment (CVA) and integrity interview must be completed in-person. If applying to more than one BOP internship site, applicants only have to complete this portion of this process once. Results of the security clearance procedures can be shared with other Bureau sites for convenience.

 

The interview process will also include a panel interview in which you will be asked to respond to a number of scenarios that could arise in a correctional facility.  The panel interview is used to determine your qualifications for a position of public trust and are required of all applicants seeking employment with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. In addition to the scenarios regarding correctional practice, the panel interview will also include psychology relevant questions. These interview components will be conducted by the Internship Program Coordinator, Chief Psychologist, and a Human Resources representative at the specific internship site to which you are applying. You may additionally interview with members of the psychology department. 
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 start of internship
Dissertation Proposal Approved: Yes, by start of internship
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): 3
Accepted / Not-Accepted Program Types
Clinical Psychology Accepted
Counseling Psychology Accepted
School Psychology Not Accepted
APA-Accredited Accepted
CPA-Accredited Accepted
PCSAS-Accredited 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: Yes
How to obtain text of statement: As federal employees, any intern accepted into the FCC Florence Internship Program is required to take the Oath for Federal Employees. In addition, interns are also held to the Standards of Employee Conduct issued by the Department of Justice. For additional information regarding these requirements please visit the main web page for the Bureau of Prisons Internships site (www.bop.careers/psychintern) and review additional information in our program brochure (www.bop.gov/jobs/docs/flx_internship_brochure.pdf). If you have any questions or concerns regarding these requirements, please contact the Internship Program Coordinator, Dr. Sylvia L. Lares, at 719-784-9464 ext. 6289 or LLares@bop.gov.
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. Additionally, the BOP 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 Psychology Internship Program. Once hired, interns must comply with the BOP'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 federal requirements that will be imposed should they wish to pursue a BOP position.
Program Description

FCC Florence is a complex comprised of a minimum security satellite Federal Prison Camp (FPC), a medium security Federal Correctional Institution (FCI), a high security United States Penitentiary (USP), and an Administrative Maximum penitentiary (ADX). This results in a multi-mission complex that houses sentenced adult males.

 

The internship program is structured to ensure interns receive training in all aspects of the Psychology Services department. Interns bring considerable knowledge of psychological theory and science-based practice gained in academic and practicum settings. During internship, interns are further exposed to the scientific basis of psychological practice via didactic seminars, assigned readings, and supervision of clinical work. In addition, the internship program provides abundant exposure to the application of critical/scientific thinking in the understanding and treatment of individual cases through clinical training experiences and clinical supervision.

 

The training philosophy of the internship program emphasizes experiential learning and considers both the tremendous opportunities available within our setting and the inherent challenges of working in a prison environment. Interns will learn by providing a variety of psychological services to incarcerated individuals throughout the training year and by collaborating with staff in other disciplines. To facilitate professional independence and confidence, training experiences proceed in a sequential, cumulative, and graded manner. For example, at the beginning of the year, interns may initially observe supervisory staff conduct rounds, perform intake interviews, and engage in crisis intervention. Interns subsequently perform these functions in the presence of supervisory staff and as interns feel more comfortable and display increased competence, they perform these tasks independently.

 

For more in-depth information regarding the internship program at FCC Florence, please refer to our program brochure (https://www.bop.gov/jobs/docs/flx_internship_brochure.pdf).

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: Yes
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

Treatment Modalities
Assessment: Experience (21% to 30%)
Individual Therapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Couples Therapy:
Family Therapy:
Group Therapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Community Intervention: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Consultation/Liaison: Experience (21% to 30%)
Crisis Intervention: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Brief Psychotherapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Long-term Psychotherapy: Experience (21% to 30%)
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:
Eating Disorders:
Sexual Disorders: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Sports Psychology:
Rehabilitation Psychology:
Physical Disabilities:
Learning Disabilities: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Developmental Disabilities:
Assessment: Experience (21% to 30%)
Neuropsychology-Adult: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Neuropsychology-Child:
Serious Mental Illness: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Anxiety Disorders: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Trauma/PTSD: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Sexual Abuse: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Substance Use Disorders: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Forensics/Corrections: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Sexual Offenders: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Geropsychology: Exposure (1% to 20%)
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:
Supervision: Exposure (1% to 20%)
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://www.bop.gov/jobs/docs/flx_internship_brochure.pdf  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
Number of Completed Applications: 0 0 0
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 0 0 0
Total number of interns: 0 0 0
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 0 0 0
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 0 0 0
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 0 0 0
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs: 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a School Psychology program 0 0 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: lowest number of reports written 0 0 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written 0 0 0
Summary of Post Internship Employment Settings of Each Internship Class (1st Placement)
2022-2023 2023-2024
Academic teaching: 0 0
Community mental health center: 0 0
Consortium: 0 0
University Counseling Center: 0 0
Hospital/Medical Center: 0 0
Veterans Affairs Health Care System: 0 0
Psychiatric facility: 0 0
Correctional facility: 0 0
Health Maintenance Organization: 0 0
School district/system: 0 0
Independent practice setting: 0 0
Other (Academic Psychology Department): 0 0
Link to Program's Trainee Admissions, Support, and Outcome Data:
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