Interview for Prison-based Psychology Placement

psychstudent12

Hi all,

I have been called for an interview for a placement within HMS Swaleside on the isle of Sheppey in England as part of my MSc in Goldsmiths College. The placement information sheet detailed that they are working with

"delivery of therapeutic and psychosocial interventions, for example behavioural analyses and development of behavioural plans to address challenging behaviours, delivery of basic interventions for anxiety, depression and other psychological disorders, co-facilitation of groups with other professionals, the administration of psychometric assessments, such as the WAIS, personality assessments and measures of risk)", while looking for someone who is able to work in a boundaried way with offenders with personality difficulties.

Has anyone got any advice in the way of specific questions that may be asked, or specific personal attributes that I should highlight? The interview is said to last 20 minutes. I appreciate any help you can give me

dar100

Have no experience of working in this type of environment, but off the top of my head, some of the area's they may look at could include:

Boundaries
security risk
working within a closed and secure environment


Of course they will also explore your expertise and how you would approach the work in question. Also, are you aware of the population who you will be delivering interventions to? This may have some impact on how you interview, what type of criminal would you find difficult working with?

Will the interview process involve any assessments of your own personality?

Have you any prior work experience? This may prove to be a very intimidation environment to enter, have you had a chance to reflect on how you will carry yourself? Interact with the clients?

Victor

Prisoners are generally considered one of the most challenged groups in society when it come to mental health, whether through personality disorders, psychological disorders, substance abuse or other issues. Despair and suicidality are particular problems for new prisoners, while those at the end of long sentences also have issues in moving away from an institutionalised setting (this might be a good question to ask at interview). Prisoners are predominantly from lower socio-economic groups (better off people have better socio-economic structures to avoid criminality and prison), so there will also be education, violence, family and other issues.

While prison might mean an improvement in health services for certain categories of patient (homeless, substance abusers), services are typically extremely stretched.

As a student, I imagine you will very much be operating exclusively under supervision.

Regarding boundaries, it will be important to be able to detach yourself from issues and situations to protect yourself, while still being able to show empathy and compassion.

If you are Irish, that may be one of the questions - how would you interest with a prisoner (or co-worker or visitor) who resents you for being Irish? Note that Irish emigrants have been over-represented in UK prisons.

You might make preliminary enquiries as to the profile of the prisoners under various headings.

psychstudent12 wrote: »

HMS Swaleside

HMS = ship
HMP = prison