Interns Experience The Indiana Department of Correction Firsthand

(CARLISLE) – Community Service Director Jackie Storm is Wabash Valley Correctional Facility’s (WVCF) point of contact for internships. 

When college students reach out to the facility, Storm meets with them to determine if WVCF is a good fit. If she finds that it is, she then initiates a background check. Once all the required steps have been taken, interns begin their exciting adventure learning about Wabash Valley Correctional Facility. 

Jackie Storm

The Indiana Department of Correction designed the internship program to provide a unique experience of the administrative dynamics of the Department, as well as an experiential approach inside the facilities. The Community Service Director works collaboratively with several departments within the facility to provide an overview of their operations how cohesively and collaboratively all components operate to effectively and efficiently manage a correctional facility.

Danielle Whitney

Recently Danielle Whitney, a student at Indiana State University, began her internships at Wabash Valley Correctional Facility. Whitney began pursuing her Criminal Justice degree in 2019. From the start, she knew that she needed to do an internship to decide if corrections were right for her. 

During her time at WVCF, Whitney said the staff has been incredible.

“They say if you love what you do you’ll never have to work a day in your life, and this experience so far is proving that this statement couldn’t be more true,” Whitney added.

Danielle Whitney

Carra Matherly, a student at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods also began her internship at Wabash Valley Correctional Facility. Matherly began pursuing her Criminal Justice degree in 2017. She has a desire to work in the Federal prison system but felt like WVCF would give her an inside look at corrections from a State standpoint. Her internship began with the Office of Investigations & Intelligence, where she quickly learned how complex maintaining safety and security can be within a large facility. 

She said that the staff has been very friendly and that they have made her even more excited to be here. 

“Starting an internship is nerve-racking because it can make or break your career,” Matherly said. “WVCF has made it easier and made me feel as though I am part of their team.”