HEIP values the unique career paths and field experiences that enrich the training of its students. This year, one of our students in the second year of the Bachelor’s program in Political Science and International Relations chose to go off the beaten track by doing an internship… in a penitentiary. It was an intense, human and inspiring experience, reflecting both his passion for judicial institutions and his desire to serve the general interest.
FROM COURT TO PRISON: A JOURNEY GUIDED BY CURIOSITY AND CONVICTION
It all began a few years earlier, during a 3rd grade internship with a criminal lawyer. This first contact with the legal world left its mark on the student:
“I attended a hearing concerning an attempted murder in the middle of the city. I was fascinated, but what struck me most was what happened after the conviction.”
From this simple question arose a profound reflection on the role of prisons in society: what happens to people in prison? How are they supervised and supported? What is the purpose of the sentence?
Far from contenting himself with simple research, he immersed himself in documentaries, readings and reports… until it became clear that to understand, it was necessary to live the experience from the inside. That’s how he came to focus his internship search on prison administration, with a firm resolve to observe, understand and perhaps, one day, act.
FINDING A COMMITTED INTERNSHIP: BOLDNESS AND PERSEVERANCE ARE THE KEY TO SUCCESS
He didn’t find this internship in a traditional offer. He showed initiative, determination and daring:
“I used LinkedIn to get in touch with professionals in the sector. I posted a message in which I expressed my desire to do an internship with the prison service. I explained my motivations, and was lucky enough to be spotted by a director who accepted my application.”
His advice to students? Be proactive:
“You have to start early, be rigorous, but above all sincere. Show real motivation, talk directly to the people concerned, and believe in your project. In my opinion, perseverance makes all the difference.
OBSERVE, UNDERSTAND, CONTRIBUTE: BEHIND THE SCENES OF PRISON LIFE
During his internship, LOU KHORSI was fully integrated into the prison establishment. His main tasks? Active observation, support for management and participation in several internal bodies:
“I’ve attended single multidisciplinary commissions (CPU), such as the CPU travail, which examines prisoners’ requests to access a professional activity, training or other program.”
He was also involved in updating an extraction form: a crucial document used to organize the secure movement of detainees outside the establishment.
He explains:
“Each profile presents different levels of dangerousness, which implies specific escort arrangements, ranging from one to five agents. My job was to ensure the safety of the teams by anticipating possible risks.”
A CONCRETE PROJECT FOR INCARCERATED YOUTH
In addition to his administrative duties, LOU KHORSI was involved in an ambitious human project: the introduction of a system of trust in the Juvenile Section. Working in close collaboration with a former Director of Penitentiary Services, he contributed to this program designed to encourage young inmates to live together. In practical terms, the scheme enables young people from different groups to be brought together temporarily for shared activities, with a view to promoting a sense of responsibility.
This high-impact project shows that even in prison, positive dynamics can be put in place to create links and dialogue, and sow the seeds of reintegration.
A CONCRETE LINK WITH HEIP’S TEACHINGS
This atypical internship finds a strong echo in the training followed at HEIP.
“Thanks to my courses, I already had a solid grounding in public law, institutional relations and an understanding of how the State works. This foundation enabled me to adapt very quickly to the prison environment, where we come into daily contact with players from the judicial world, the civil service and the voluntary sector.”
This cross-disciplinary approach between theory and practice fully illustrates the richness of the HEIP Bachelor’s degree: training students capable of evolving in complex, sensitive but profoundly human environments.
A CLEAR VOCATION: TO BECOME A PRISON DIRECTOR
This internship didn’t just confirm a passion, it shaped a professional project. Lou now wants to prepare for the competitive examination to become Director of Penitentiary Services (DSP):
“This job suits me: it’s a managerial, institutional and deeply human role. It requires rigor, the ability to lead teams, but also the ability to listen and a vision of the meaning of pain. It’s a demanding challenge, but one I’m passionate about.
A HIGHLIGHT: PRISON, UNDER THE EYE OF THE CAMERAS
Among his most vivid memories of his immersion, he recalls the visit of a member of parliament to the facility:
“Parliamentarians have the right to visit prisons, and she was accompanied by journalists. I was able to observe part of the visit. It was fascinating to see an elected official exercise this right, and to witness the interaction between the prison institution and the public gaze.”
A rare moment, revealing the complexity of these places that are both closed and essential to the functioning of our democracy.
AN INSPIRING EXAMPLE FOR HEIP STUDENTS
This testimonial illustrates the richness and diversity of possible career paths at HEIP. Whether it’s diplomacy, defense, international cooperation or, as in this case, justice and prison policy, every student is encouraged to explore his or her own interests, to think outside the box and to shape a career path that reflects their own personality.
Through this unique immersion, our student not only strengthened his skills, but also refined his professional project with lucidity and ambition. A fine example of the HEIP spirit: committed, curious and resolutely action-oriented.