First Responders Academy, 3891 Plains Blvd, Office# 1046
Office hours are an excellent opportunity to receive individualized support, and I encourage you to take full advantage of them. During these times, I’ll be available for scheduled in-person appointments, FaceTime calls, Google Meet sessions, or virtual assistance through prompt message or email responses. My weekly office hours are as follows:
| Monday | 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. |
| Thursday | 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. |
| Friday | As Needed |
| Saturday/Sunday | As Needed |
Virtual office hours can and will be scheduled as needed. I regularly check Blackboard messages, emails, phone messages, and texts outside of the times listed above. However, these scheduled office hours provide dedicated opportunities for you to receive immediate responses and real-time support.
Communication is an essential part of effective learning in an online environment. The type of response or assistance you need will determine the best way to contact me. The chart below outlines some general guidelines to help you choose the most appropriate method.
| Type of Assistance Needed | Suggested Method of Contact | Information |
| Immediate response needed, with very brief explanation required | Text message or phone call | My Cell: 806-290-2727 |
| Immediate response needed, but requiring a more detailed and lengthy explanation | Phone call | My Cell: 806-290-2727 |
| Response needed within 24 hours and brief to lengthier explanation required | Message me within Blackboard OR send me an email | You can message me in Blackboard either by clicking on the Messages link on the options bar in the class shell at the top of the page, or by using the Message link on the Institution page in Blackboard. |
You can generally expect a response to your course messages or emails within 24 hours of when you send them. Occasionally, responses may take a bit longer, depending on timing or workload. If you don’t hear back within a reasonable period, please don’t hesitate to follow up with me.
My primary method of communication with the class will be through course announcements and messages/emails. All announcements will appear under the Announcements link on the top menu bar of the course in Blackboard, and a copy will also be sent to your AC Google email.
For individual communication, I will primarily use the Message function within the course. If you’re unsure how to access or use this feature, please visit the HOW TO’s page located in the Course Resources folder in the class.
To stay up to date, make sure to check your announcements, messages, and email at least every other day so you don’t miss any important updates or reminders.
Additional Resources for Help
In the event you’re unable to contact me directly, there are some additional resources for assistance:
The offices for the Criminal Justice department are located in the First Responders Academy, Office #1007. The general phone number is (806) 457-4450. You can leave a message for me at this number as well.
ASK AC Helpline at (806) 371-5000, or after hours you can email them at askac@actx.edu.
CTL Student & Faculty Help Center at (806) 371-5992. It’s available to students who are currently enrolled in academic or continuing education courses on a walk-in and/or appointment basis. They are located on the Washington Street Campus, WARE Bldg.
AC Connect Student Resources at: https://www.actx.edu/student-resources
This course is built on the idea that our diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences make learning richer for everyone. The variety of viewpoints you bring is a real strength, both in and outside of our virtual classroom. To help maintain a positive learning environment, please make sure you’re familiar with appropriate netiquette, which are the guidelines for respectful and professional online communication.
You’ll find helpful information and links about netiquette in the Course Resources folder within the class content. There are also several excellent online resources you can explore for more details.
Always communicate with your classmates and with me in a professional, respectful, and courteous way. Messages, emails, texts, or phone conversations that are rude, discourteous, or aggressive will not be tolerated.
If you have a question, concern, or issue about the course, please reach out to me first. Other students or Amarillo College faculty and staff aren’t responsible for making decisions about my course policies. If we’re unable to resolve the issue together, you may contact my immediate supervisor. His contact information is listed in the Additional Information section at the end of this syllabus.
Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.
As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc
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The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students. If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .
CRIJ-2313-001 Correctional Systems and Practices
This course is a survey of institutional and non-institutional corrections. Emphasis will be placed on the organization and operation of correctional systems; treatment and rehabilitation; populations served; Constitutional issues; and current and future issues.
Student Resources Student Resources Website
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(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)
Online Course
Corrections; An Introduction, 4th edition. (2013) by Seiter, Richard P.
ISBN -10: 0133009785 (REQUIRED TEXTBOOK)
IMPORTANT: Students enrolling in this course will need their textbook on the FIRST DAY.
Textbooks may be purchased via the following methods:
The correct ISBN is cited above. Students ordering their book online through the Amarillo College bookstore, or through another vendor should ensure they order the correct edition of the textbook and allow enough time for delivery so as to have the book before the first day of class.
All students enrolling in this class must have the required textbook, access to a working computer, active and functional internet service, Microsoft Word or
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.
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".
Students' grades for this course will be comprised of the following percentages and types of assignments:
Refer to the General Course Guidelines and Instructions on the class site for important information on the final exam exemption opportunity. In the event you are designated as “exempt” from taking the final exam, your mid-term exam grade alone will serve as your exam average (30% of your overall grade). In the event you are designated as “exempt” and decide you still want to take the final exam, you must accept your grade and it will be averaged together with your mid-term grade to comprise your exam average (30% of your overall grade), as previously stated herein.
Each module will have an accompanying Module Assignment Checklist containing all applicable assignments for the respective module. Students will be required to turn in assignments on specified dates, as referenced on the course calendar.
LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Assignments, quizzes, or exams submitted after the deadline will receive a grade of zero (0). It is imperative for students in an educational setting to learn to manage their assignments and time for success in a real-world environment. Therefore, unless there is some valid, extinuating circumstance out of the student's control assignments will NOT be accepted after the due date. Due dates for the entire semester will be listed on the course calendar from the first day of the course.The instructor reserves the right to make determinations on a case-by-case basis.
Grading Scale
A 88.5% – 100%
B 78.5% - 88.4%
C 68.5% - 78.4%
D 58.5% - 68.4%
F 0 –58.4%
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.
Refer to the Course Calendar (located under the COURSE MENU on the class site) for the schedule and all relevant assignment due dates. The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the course schedule when appropriate.
The course is divided into eight (8) modules with detailed reading and assignments for each module. If students are attending this course during a regularly scheduled Fall or Spring semester each module will encompass a two-week time period, except Module 8 which will encompass a one-week time period. If students are attending this course during a Fall II, Spring II or Summer semester each module will encompass a one-week time period.
Module 1 -Chapter 1 The History of Crime and Corrections; Chapter 2 Sentencing and the Correctional Process
Module 2 -Chapter 3 Jails; Chapter 4 Probation and Intermediate Sanctions; Chapter 5 Prison Systems; Quiz #1
Module 3 -Chapter 6 Parole and Prisoner Reentry; Chapter 7 The Clients of Adult Correctional Agencies
Module 4 -Chapter 8 The Juvenile Correctional System; Mid-term Exam
Module 5 -Chapter 9 Special Offenders; Chapter 10 The Management of Prisons; Chapter 11 Prison Life for Inmates
Module 6 -Chapter 12 The World of Prison Staff; Chapter 13 Custody and Treatment; Quiz #2
Module 7 -Chapter 14 Legal Issues and the Death Penalty; Chapter 15 Issues in Corrections; Chapter 16 Questions Regarding the Future of Corrections
Module 8 -Final Exam
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