The benefits and expectations of criminal justice interns: an Australian supervisor perspective

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the perspectives of supervisors from criminal justice organisations regarding student internships. It examines how supervisors perceive internships as a pathway for developing future professionals, fostering practical skills and improving understanding of the criminal justice system. Additionally, it investigates supervisors’ expectations of interns and the perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the qualities displayed by student interns. Design/methodology/approach This study draws on qualitative interviews with supervisors from criminal justice organisations in Melbourne, Australia, who oversaw student interns participating in RMIT University’s Criminology and Justice Studies internship course. Interviews explored supervisors’ perspectives on the role of internships, the qualities they value in interns and how these attributes have shifted post-COVID-19. Thematic analysis was employed to identify key themes related to expectations, perceptions and the evolving role of work-integrated learning (WIL) within the criminal justice field. Findings Supervisors view internships as vital for student professional development and as an opportunity to identify future recruits. They expect interns to demonstrate professional skills, subject matter knowledge, interest in the field, resilience and confidence. To assist many host organisations, provide in-house training to interns to improve capabilities. Supervisors observed a decline in key attributes following the COVID-19 pandemic, citing challenges such as reduced resilience and confidence amongst interns. The findings highlight the value of internships for both host organisations and students whilst addressing post-pandemic challenges in preparing work-ready graduates. Originality/value This study fills a gap in the literature by focusing on the perspectives of supervisors from criminal justice host organisations within Australia, which has not previously been explored. It contributes to understanding how internships support the professional development of criminal justice students whilst revealing challenges posed by the pandemic. The findings provide insights for universities to enhance WIL programmes and better prepare students for careers in the criminal justice field.