Correctional Systems and Practices Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Course

CRIJ-2313-001 Correctional Systems and Practices

Prerequisites

Course Description

Corrections in the criminal justice system; organization correctional systems; correctional role; institutional operations; alternatives to institutionalization; treatment and rehabilitation; current and future issues.

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Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Corrections; An Introduction, 3rd edition. (2011) by Seiter, Richard P. ISBN-10: 0135060826

Supplies

\ All students enrolling in this class must have access to a working computer, active internet service, Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat Reader and exhibit computer competency.

Student Performance

1. Define the term "corrections" and know how correctional agencies fulfill their mission of protecting society.
2. Outline the growth of corrections over the past two decades, and describe why the scope of correctional budgets, staffing, and clients makes it important for students to study corrections.
3. Specify the reasons for preventive detention, and describe the forms of release from jail pending trial.
4. List the purposes of the presentence investigation.
5. List and describe the six sentencing options available as criminal sanctions.
6. Explain the use of sentencing guidelines.
7. Describe the historical development of jail design and operations.
8. Discuss the daily operations of a jail.
9. Compare the various jail designs, and explain the positive benefits of direct supervision.
10. Explain the organization and operation of modern probation.
11. Contrast regular, intensive, and special caseloads.
12. Define and give examples of standard, and special conditions of probation.
13. Describe how the role and prevailing philosophies of prison operations have changed significantly over the past century.
14. Explain the mission of a prison.
15. Compare and contrast the federal and state prison systems; specifically understand the make-up of the Texas prison system.
16. Compare and contrast the ways inmates can be released from prison, to include parole, supervised mandatory release, and unconditional mandatory release.
17. Outline the use of parole guidelines using salient factor scores to determine parole readiness.
18. Describe the process of parole revocation, and list the due process rights for offenders during this process.
19. Understand the use of incarceration rates to compare numbers of offenders over various time frames.
20. Describe how offenders are assigned to various security levels of prisons, and how their daily routine operates.
21. Identify the special needs of female inmates, and how correctional agencies have responded to their needs.
22. Compare classification methods for male and female inmates.
23. List and define the three categories of offenders referred to the juvenile justice system.
24. Outline the steps in the juvenile justice process, and compare it with similar steps in the adult criminal justice process.
25. Define "special offenders" and describe how they require special handling under correctional supervision.
26. Understand the special needs of drug offenders, mentally ill inmates, violent inmates, sex offenders and inmates with HIV.
27. Explain how prisons are organized and the role of all staff members, including management staff.
28. Contrast the custody and treatment functions within a prison; list the ways in which the classification of inmates contributes to the management of a prison.
29. Define the concept of "prisonization", and explain its impact on inmates both while serving a prison sentence and as they return to the community.
30. Identify many of the common prison slang terms, and their meaning within a prison setting.
31. List the eight types of activities that contribute to the security and custody functions within a prison.
32. Identify the various types of counts and how they are carried out in a prison.
33. Describe the historical development of the legal rights of inmates, and the creation and then abandonment of the hands-off doctrine by federal courts; explain how the First, Fourth, Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution create a basis for inmate lawsuits.
34. Compare and contrast public prisons and private prisons and discuss the benefits of correctional accreditation.
35. Identify some of the key questions facing corrections in the next ten years.

This course will be guided by meeting the above referenced Student Performance objectives. At the end of the semester, students are expected to have a basic understanding of the field of corrections and the essential elements therein.
 

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

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1. \ The workload for this course will require due diligence and integrity on students' part.
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2. \ Log into the class on a daily basis to check for class announcements & emails and ensure understanding of all applicable due dates.
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3. \ Complete all assigned reading. This is imperative for successful completion of the course.
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4. \ At times, the discussion board topics will address sensitive subjects and students must remember to conduct themselves in a respectful and courteous manner. All students are entitled to their opinions.and certainly aren’t required to agree with another student’s opinion. However, disagreements can be cited in an appropriate manner.
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5. \ Snipes, inappropriate language or racial slurs will in no way, shape or form be tolerated during discussions or within email content.
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6. \ Only those individuals who are registered in the course are allowed to make posts on the discussion boards or send email within the course.
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7. \ Cheating will not be tolerated. Cases of academic dishonesty will be dealt with on a case by case basis and will generally result in a grade of zero or removal from the course.
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Grading Criteria

\ Homework  [30% of cumulative grade]

\ Quizzes [20% of cumulative grade]

\ Discussion Assignments [20% of cumulative grade]

\ Exams [30% of cumulative grade]
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\ Students will  be required to turn in assignments on the specified dates, as referenced on the class calendar. Late assignments will not be accepted.

Attendance

\ REGULAR ATTENDANCE IS NECESSARY FOR SATISFACTORY ACHIEVEMENT. THEREFORE, IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT TO ATTEND CLASS.

\ It is the student’s responsibility to drop a course or withdraw from the college. Failure to drop the course within a timely manner will result in the student receiving a performance grade, usually an “F”.

\ Consistent and adequate involvement in an online class is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to check course postings and emails on a daily basis, follow the prescribed timeline for assignments and exams, etc. If a student is having difficulty with any portion of this course, they should contact the instructor via email, phone, or in person, immediately.
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Calendar

Additional Information

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