NCJ Number
129666
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 53 Issue: 2 Dated: (April 1991) Pages: 178,180-181
Date Published
1991
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Proper planning is essential for correctional internships to benefit both students and correctional agencies.
Abstract
Working with a mid-level official often provides the most beneficial experience. Students can observe the behavior of supervisors and their subordinates, co-workers, unit managers, correctional officers, and inmates. Internships provide talent to correctional agencies at little cost and the opportunity to screen potential employees over an extended period of time. Interns may give longtime corrections staff a new perspective on practices that have been used for years. For students, an internship helps to bridge the gap between theory and practice. To prevent an internship from degenerating into a work-study assignment, there must be an open collaboration of the intern, the intern supervisor, and the classroom instructor; a genuine commitment on the part of the agency; a thorough orientation of the student; and the assignment of meaningful tasks.