Criminal

Bucks County Adult Probation and Parole

Considering a Placement?

1. What is the philosophy of your Department in structuring its internship program?
2. What types of placements are available?
3. What types of duties might be assigned to me?
4. How do I apply for placement?
5. What criteria are used in accepting a student for placement?
6. What about part-time placements?
7. What about part-time employment during placement?
8. What about job shadowing?
9. Will I be paid or receive compensation for my expenses?
10. What happens if I am injured or involved in any type of litigation as a result of my placement?

1. What is the philosophy of your Department in structuring its internship program?
The Department will provide the opportunity to learn. It is the student's responsibility to take advantage of the opportunity. The placement, by its nature, is not a highly structured experience: it is designed to be flexible to meet the needs of the Department, its clientele, and the student.

The student will be regarded as a professional during the placement and will be expected to conduct him/herself appropriately. This includes being able to identify his/her own developmental needs, and conduct him/herself within the realms of professional ethics. An intern must honor any command or direction from any Department employee.

THE STUDENT IS EXPECTED TO BE AN ASSET TO THE DEPARTMENT AND ITS CLIENTELE, NOT A LIABILITY. Department staff must focus their efforts on servicing their client population. Staff cannot afford unproductive diversions for it taxes already limited resources and costs valuable time. In this process, there are certain legal and administrative limitations affecting the role and duties of the student that are explained throughout this booklet.

The Department believes internships can be a valuable asset to the agency while the student receives a practical education in probation and parole.

2. What types of placements are available?
Most placements with the Department are in the Supervision Units, working with Probation/Parole Officers as they perform their normal duties. While this is the most common placement, a limited number of internships are possible in special program or research related areas. Arrangements will be handled on an individual basis between the student and the Department.

Any special interests, needs or limitations should be noted at the time formal application for placement is made.

3. What types of duties might be assigned to me?
A number of variables influence each placement, and therefore, each assignment can be expected to vary. The following are various tasks that may be assigned:

A. Direct Services (Supervision)
1. General travel and observation of Probation and Parole Officers
2. Small caseload responsibility (graduate students only)
3. Initial interviewing
4. Individual counseling
5. Specialized counseling
6. Observation of hearings
7. Assist with classification process

B. Direct Services (Investigations and evaluations)
1. Assist with pre-parole investigations
2. Assist with special investigations
3. Assist with pre-sentence investigations

C. Administrative
1. Completion of surveys, research, etc.
2. Assist in other administrative duties

In all instances, the student will be responsible to a Probation/Parole Officer Mentor. This staff person will be responsible for providing necessary guidance and support during the placement, and also an orientation to the Department.

While the Department attempts to make a broad range of activities available to student interns, there are limitations imposed by law, regulation or potential danger. These may include restrictions on participation in arrests, use of client-related data for research, etc. Students shall not add or alter any conditions of supervision. Students are not permitted to make any case decisions without the approval of the officer to whom the case is assigned.

4. How do I apply for placement?
All students requesting a placement are expected to complete, in its entirety, the Application for Student Internship. The supervising professor or designated placement coordinator from the college or university must screen and sign the application prior to submittal to assure timely coordination and support.

Applications should be submitted at least sixty (60) days before the placement or as soon as possible. This is necessary to allow time for processing and screening.

The application must be sent directly to the Student Intern Coordinator, Bucks County Adult Probation and Parole Department. Proper procedures for special types of internships may be secured by contacting the Student Intern Coordinator.

Once the completed application is received, it will be screened and a determination made if a placement is possible at the requested time. A personal interview will be required before any final commitments can be made.

During the personal interview, it is important for both the Department and student to understand mutual expectations so a productive learning experience can result. Any questions or problems should be addressed at that time.

After initiating an application, students are requested to immediately advise the Department of any changes to help assure the process moves speedily and smoothly. Should there be any questions regarding the status of the application, they may be addressed to the Student Intern Coordinator.

5. What criteria are used in accepting a student for placement?
Besides adequate academic preparation, a high degree of maturity is an essential prerequisite to placement with a law enforcement agency such as the Bucks County Adult Probation and Parole Department. The following criteria are taken into account when considering prospective interns:

a. Students considered for placements should be pursuing a course of study related to the field of human service.
b. Students should be in good academic standing at their respective college or university.
c. Interest in the field, maturity, and initiative are characteristics necessary for placement.
d. Logistical considerations should be given to transportation, potential interruptions in work schedules, lodging arrangements, etc.

The Department will select only those students prepared to accept the responsibility of internship in a serious and professional manner. Attempts will be made to screen out students seeking placement merely to fulfill program requirements for graduation.

At any point, when it is decided that a placement will not be offered, the student will be promptly notified.

When an internship will be provided, the original application shall be retained in Department files along with all appropriate correspondence. Arrangements will be made for the assignment and supervision of the student prior to reporting for placement.

6. What about part-time placements?
Part-time student placements are accepted. A weekly minimum of 8 hours is required. It is preferred for the student to complete the required hours in a single day. Each situation, however, is reviewed individually by the approval of the Department.

7. What about part-time employment during placement?
The Probation/Parole Officer's job consists of uncertain work hours, with the client being the first priority. The Department discourages student interns from making outside commitments on placement days. These situations should be reviewed by the Practicum Instructor from the college or university and the Student Intern Coordinator.

8. What about job shadowing?
The Department will allow a student to "job shadow" a Probation/Parole Officer as a one-time experience for a day. The Department will not conduct a student evaluation nor give a grade to the college or university in which the student is enrolled.

9. Will I be paid or receive compensation for my expenses?
The Department does not provide compensation or reimburse the student for any lodging or subsistence expenditures nor is it able to provide any stipends or reimbursements to either the student or school. The Department will provide reimbursement of mileage when the student meets the Probation/Parole Officer in the field.

10. Insurance coverage . . . What happens if I am injured or involved in any type of litigation as a result of my placement?
In view of the Department's commitment to the use of student interns, coupled with the potential risk associated with its mission, certain issues related to personal and/or Departmental liability requires clarification.

Prior to the student's placement with the Department, the student must submit proof of medical insurance coverage.

In situations where interns face risk of injury during their field placement, the County has no insurance nor is it empowered to seek such to cover such exposure. Liability exposure is part of the overall educational process for which the student intern is responsible.

If an act of negligence, committed by a student intern, resulted in a suit brought against an employee of the Department, the County would assume the employee's defense, unless it was determined that the employee had not acted in good faith or acted outside the scope of his/her duties. There would be no response, otherwise, to a claim or suit for negligence against the intern.

In the event of an accident, when an intern is accompanying an officer who is using his/her personal vehicle for official business, insurance coverage would be the responsibility of the officer.

It is important that the student and the sponsoring college or university understand these provisions and limitations.