Correctional Systems and Practices Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Course

CRIJ-2313-002 Correctional Systems and Practices

Prerequisites

Course Description

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.

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Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

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Supplies

Four (4) Scantrons with essay space booklets are required for exams. Students may either use a pencil or pen to complete the essay assignment, but a pencil must be used on the Scantron portion.  Also, one (1) three ring binder and dividers. <

Student Performance

Student Performance / Learning Objectives

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

Student Rights and Responsibilities

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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

Behavioral Expectations (Rules of the Classroom) 1.       Be in class on time, stay until the class is over. 2.       All cell phones, or other electronic communications devices, except laptops used solely for class note taking/presentations, are to be turned off. 4.       Texting and web browsing in class is unacceptable and will result in loss of participation points. 5.       Come to class prepared. 6.       Common respect and courtesy toward the instructor and fellow students is required. You are not required to agree with the ideas or opinions of others but you are required to show respect to any person voicing them. 7.       Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero, removal from class and referral to the college administration. 8.       Most importantly, come prepared to ask questions and offer ideas. 9.       Any problems with the material or class should be brought to the instructor’s attention as soon as possible.

Grading Criteria

Exams:
Each student will be required to take three (3) major exams and a mandatory comprehensive final during the semester.  
The exam will consist of 50 True/False, multiple choice and/or matching questions, and/or essay/short answer.  
The final exam will be comprehensive. The exam will consist of 100 True/False, multiple choice and/or matching questions. There will be no essay/short answer section on the final exam.

Students will not be permitted to leave the classroom once testing has begun.  If the student leaves the room, then their test will be taken up and graded based on the questions they have answered up to that point.

Research Paper:
Each student will turn in a 3 -5 page research paper over a specific topic that the student will sign up for on the first day of class. If the student is not present the first day of class, a topic will be chosen at random for the student. The paper is due March 26, 2015

Participation:

• All About Me Paper:

Each student will turn in a 1-2 page paper giving a brief overview of their life and what they hope to accomplish with their degree. The paper is due January 27, 2015. See attached guidelines for paper requirements.

 

• Each student will turn in homework assignments at the end of each chapter. Homework must be completed, turned in, and kept in your notebook in order to complete each quiz. Each homework assignment is due at the beginning of class. You must be in class to turn in your homework

 

• Each student will be required to actively engage in the weekly discussions.  You must be present and prepared to actively participate in class discussions.

 

• Notebook:
  Each student is responsible for maintaining a notebook, you will use this notebook when you take a quiz. In the notebook you will have the syllabus, calendar, notes, homework, and handouts. This is part of your participation grade, I will be checking the notebook after each quiz. You must properly maintain a notebook in order to complete each quiz.  

Quizzes:

There will be 4 quizzes given throughout the year. You must be present at the beginning of class when the quiz is handed out, if you come into class after the quiz is handed out you will not be permitted to take the quiz. The questions will be taken from information kept in your notebook, this can includes the syllabus, notes, handouts, and homework. You will be allowed to use your notebook during each quiz.

Grading Scheme:
Exam’s                           40%

Research paper               20%
Participation                   25%
Quizzes                          15%
Total                               100%

A = 100%-89.5%

B = 89.4%-79.5%
C = 79.4%-69.5%
D = 69.4%-59.5%

F = 59.4% and below
 

Makeup Policy:
NO EXAMS or QUIZZES CAN BE MADE UP or RE-TAKEN. If an exam is missed, the grade will be replaced with the score you make on the final exam. This policy applies to one exam only. If you miss more than one exam, a grade of zero will be averaged for the other missed exams. If you do not miss any exam during the semester, the grade on the mandatory final exam, will replace the lowest major exam grade.

 

Extra Credit:

Extra credit is not mandatory and will only be given at the discretion of the instructor. 

Attendance

Attendance and participation are required. A student is allowed two absences. Each additional absence will result in 5 points being taken off of the participation grade.

A student is allowed to be late to class three (3) times. After the third time, any additional late entries to class will be counted as an absence. Late to class means entering class 10 minutes after class has started. An example would be if class starts at 9:00am and you arrive at 9:11 you would be counted late; however, if you arrived to class at 9:10 you would be counted present.

 

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”.

Calendar

Additional Information

	ALL ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE TYPED, HANDWRITTEN WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED! APA style Format: Use 8.5” x 11” paper Type double-spaced with 1” margins on all edges. Page number should be in the top right corner. Indent each new paragraph Use Times Roman 12 pt. font. Conversations: Do not use contractions in academic papers (can’t, don’t, didn’t, etc...) Do not write one-sentence paragraphs. Do not use slang or cuss words. Works cited page: Begin on a new page Center the title, Works Cited,  at the top of the page List all entries in alphabetical order by the author’s last name. Use the title of the work if the author’s name is not known Double-space entries. Bibliography –  APA Format (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/)   Every assignment must have the following cover page attached. Title of paper Your name Introduction to Criminal Justice Instructor Haskins
Research paper	Purpose – To gain a better knowledge of various prisons and jails thought the United States. The paper will contain at the very least the following information: I.Introduction II.History a.Where is it located b.Year built c.Design d.Why was it built e.Who built it (some were built by prisoners) f.Famous inmates and their crimes (if any) III.Type of Prison a.Security level and what it means b.Is it a county, state, or federal facility c.How are inmates classified d.How do they determine living arrangements e.Staff information ( how many guards, who is the warden) f.Inmate communication g.Commissary h.Rehabilitative services i.Segregation (who is placed there and how long are they there) j.Executions (how many and what type) k.Medical services (some prisons have maternity wards and hospice services) IV.History of Violence a.Riots b.Murders c.Rapes d.Inmate assaults e.Staff assaults f.Inmate deaths g.Staff deaths h.Types of prison gangs i.What weapons are staff equipped with  V.Conclusion Subject – The paper can be written over a specific prison from a predetermined list which you choose from on the first day of class. Research  Paper Guidelines Length – • Minimum 3 Pages • Maximum 5 Pages • Must include a Bibliography and title page – not included in the paper     page count   Grading – The grading rubric for this assignment will be placed on Blackboard.   Sources – 3 Sources required, with no more than 2 internet sources. Bibliography –  APA Format (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/) Correction Systems and Practices Topic List: 1.United States Penitentiary Marion (Illinois- Federal) 2.Rikers Island (New York) 3.Louisiana State Penitentiary “Angola” (Louisiana) 4.Levenworth Federal Penitentiary (Kansas) 5.Folsom State Prison (California) 6.Attica Correctional Facility (New York) 7.United States Penitentiary Atlanta (Georgia- Federal) 8.Sing, Sing (New York) 9.San Quentin State Prison (California) 10.ADX Florence Facility (Colorado- Federal) 11.Walnut Grove Youth Correctional Facility (Mississippi) 12.Men’s Central Jail and Twin Towers Correction Facility (Los Angeles, Ca) 13.Tent City Jail (Phoenix, Az) 14.Allan B. Polunsky unit (death row) Livingston, TX 15.Idaho Correctional Center (Idaho) 16.Julia Tutwiler Prison (Women’s prison- Alabama) 17.California State Prison, Corcoran (California) 18.Wabash Valley Correctional Facility (Indiana) 19.Holman Correctional Facility (Alabama) 20.Pelican Bay State Prison (California) 21.Harris County Jail (Texas)
Homework Assignments	All About Me paper: January 27, 2015 – Due at the Beginning of Class All About Me Paper guidelines   Purpose- To introduce yourself to the instructor.   Topics- The paper needs to include information about your background, experiences, career goals, and anything in your life that may affect your performance in this class.    Length – • Minimum 1 Page • Maximum 2 Pages   Grading: The grading rubric for this assignment will be placed on Blackboard. Chapter homework: There will be homework for each chapter covered. Each assignment will consist of a vocabulary section and a question and answer section. Homework assignments will be given at the end of each class period. The following format is required when completing homework assignments. Vocabulary: 1.           2.           3.           Questions: 1.           2.
Blackboard	Grading rubrics will be posted to Blackboard. Please look at these when completing an assignment so that you will know what is expected and how I will grade the assignment. Examples of previous students work will be available for you to view. This will give you examples to reference. Outlines of my Power Point presentations will be made available. However, having access to them is not intended to replace attending class. Students will be responsible for printing off any material that is posted to Blackboard.