Anyone work as a prison psychologist?

[aequitasveritas]

I'm considering the CA or Fed Department of Corrections when I graduate next year.

Do we have any forensic psychologists out there who can answer some questions? Please, no conjecture. I'm really interested in hearing from people who have or are working in prisons.

My questions are:

1. what did you start out doing on a daily basis (itemized in terms of rough % of therapy, assessment, paperwork etc if possible)

2. I've seen what the salary guidelines online are. What was your starting salary?

3. Do you have any interesting countertransference advice!?

4. Would you recommend it to an up and comer who wants to gain some forensic experience and make a decent living out of the gate or is this a fallacy?

Thanks for your time.

Best,
AV

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[ClinPsycMasters]

No conjectures but I'm willing to speculate.

 

[DrGero]

I worked for one month as a contract psychologist for Folsom Prison. No, make that, I burned out after one month. Totally not the job for me - it was like working in a dungeon.

The pay was incredible though.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

You'll probably get a wealth of answers from the Division 41 (American Psychology & Law) Listserv: http://www.aplsstudentsection.com/listserv.htm

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I have been exploring contract work for forensic assessment, and it is quite lucrative if you can target state and federal facilities in need (local/county does not seem to be sought after). The turnaround time needed for the reports is quick, and the style of the report is different than a non-forensic report. I've talked to a few career forensic people and they all advised me to work with someone when I first start, and that the work isn't really good for someone who isn't very proficient in assessment work. They stressed that while some places don't care about boarding, things are much easier if you are boarded and have any decent experience in the area.

In regard to BOP salaries...it is similar in pay to other federal positions (starts as a GS-11 for no experience, GS-12 for 1 or more years of applicable experience, GS-13 for more seasoned professions). The step system applies within each GS-level, so check out the GS payscale for 2010 to get an idea of the salary range.

As an aside, I believe the KSAs (needed for application to federal positions) should be axed sometime later this year. They are an artifact left over from a few decades ago.

 

[aequitasveritas]

Really appreciate the input

 

[PrisonPsych]

I'm behind the time here, but I work in the NC prison system. PM me if you want to talk further.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

While I'm not yet finished with school, I can answer what little I know based on my limited, part-time practicum experience (1.5 years) in a forensic facility. However, as this was generally a pre-trial facility, the breakdown of responsibilities may differ from an actual jail/prison.

The psychologist I worked for conducted very little, if any, therapy. The majority of his time was spent in assessment (primarily risk and competency/sanity), observation (think functional analysis), and development of behavior plans to be put in place by guards and occupational/recreational therapy staff. Oh, and of course all of the accompanying paperwork and meetings/staffings.

While I have no clue as to my supervisor's salary, I do know that he was able to maintain a small private practice (one or two days per week) "on the side," which no doubt improved his income.

 

[BellaPsyD]

i'm even later to the party, but I've worked in the CA system and have an upcoming interview with the FBOP (and have a rough estimate of what the job will entail as a result of daily phone conferences for 2 weeks with various Chiefs outlining job details).

Re: FBOP:
depends on location. If you work at an FPC, especially a women's one, you will be heavy on the therapy- having actual caseloads. (FYI- no loan repayment at any FPC). Take this vs a USP where it is "putting out fires." Constant crisis intervention. At most USPs and FCCs psychologists are mandated to make monthly rounds and reports on the SHU units. You will do many suicide, risk, and homicide assessments. You will be able to join "special task forces" (hostage negotiation, substance abuse, etc) if wanted. If you have extensive substance abuse training- you are golden. You'll be running groups. Not much stereotypical caseload therapy/ assessment batteries (a la grad school), however if your basic job duties are done, you can pretty much taylor the job to the rest of your interests. Assessments are done when court ordered (competency restoration, etc). If you are at an FCC, you can have a compressed work schedule (4/10's). Loan repayment is 10k a year right now for 3 years and then there is an additional program afterwards for 30K more. I'm sure you know the licensing rules, retirement ages, and other benefits, so I won't bore you on that!

Most of my CA experience has been in the juvenile halls, YAs, with some in-and-out work in the adult CDCR system. It's generally the same. Here's a blogger that works in the CDCR: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/take-all-prisoners/200903/inside-the-fence (that particular entry is about her first day).

FBOP: Salary range dependes on location. After year one, if you stay on (probationary period), you get an automatic raise to GS12. If you are like me- you would like to stay in CA (or maybe not?)- it won't happen. Terminal Island, MCC San Diego, MCC Los Angeles are filled internally. TI hasn't had an opening in 13 years- which (IMO) means they are due for one though! So get in however you can. If you're mobile you can promote quickly. My (hopefully soon-to-be Chief) just turned 30. Chief. 30. As far as making a decent living or fallacy: it's not someplace to go to "try out"- I personally would recommend having done previous prison work so that you know this is what you want to do- after all, you ARE in prison too everyday.

I hope this helps a tad! If you knew all this- please accept my apologies!

 

[erg923]

In terms of pre-doc internship, I talk talked to woman at TI who again reinforced that fact that past prison/forensic work is not necessary for those looking to apply for internship with FBOP sites. Primarily (she says), this is bc forensic stuff is simply one small part of some internship opps, and the vast majority of what ones needs i simple good clinical skills and that your client-gel just happened to be inmates. Despite this, I still find this hard to believe since its a prison and I would think that pretty much all the forensic psych track people with TONS of forensic experience already (eg., Alliant grads, etc) apply there. What is your impression, Bellapsy.d? Im wondering if this is like the counseling center thing, where previous college counseling experience is necessarily required, but basically, you'll often get tossed if you dont have it. An unwritten rule kinda thing.

 

[BellaPsyD]

^ I think it depends.

Internship wise, I do feel that *some* forensic experience is looked for. HOWEVER, I think it's a little looser than we may be thinking. For example, working with substance abuse, even on an outpatient level, can be played up as having forensic ties (most of those people are court mandated for treatment, thus tying in some forensic-ish work). Since there aren't too many BOP sites for internship, I think that by nature, although it is not required, I agree- it's like the college counseling stuff- they have to differentiate candidates SOMEHOW.

Regarding a job, I truly don't think it matters, especially if you are willing to "pay your dues" and work in the less desirable areas (which you pretty much have to in order to get in). Of course, having some experience helps- they do ask you about it on your panel interview. It is true, however, that once it's a job and no longer training, it really is clinical skills more so than forensic. There actually is a position at most prisons titled "Forensic Psychologist." Typically slots for staff psychologists are just labeled "Clinical Psychologist" on USAJOBS.gov. Your main day-to-day job is really to make sure inmates don't kill themselves or anyone else, hence, if you have strong clinical skills- you are good to go!

BTW- I got my conditional offer to start! Background check is underway... Oh, and yes, I am most definitely starting out in a less than desirable location.

 

[psychmama]

^

BTW- I got my conditional offer to start! Background check is underway... Oh, and yes, I am most definitely starting out in a less than desirable location.

Congrats Bella! Hope the location is not TOO undesirable. On the plus side, usually the undesirable places have lower costs of living... hope this is true for you.

 

[BellaPsyD]

^ Thanks! and- way to look on the brightside! LOL! I'm pretty sure anywhere (save Manhattan) will be cheaper to live than Los Angeles! ....workin my way back here hopefully!

 

[aequitasveritas]

Very informative guys. Thanks!

 

[axia002]

hi there- did any of you guys end up taking any prison related positions? how was/is it? curious to hear more of actual experiences in prison settings (not just brief one month impressions) if possible...thanks in advance 🙂