Institutional and Community Corrections

Course Description

An introduction to the various aspects of the corrections system. The historical development of corrections is discussed, along with the goals of criminal sentencing, jails, prisons, alternative sentencing, prisoner rights, rehabilitation, and parole and probation.

Topics and Objectives

The Philosophy, Goals, and History of Corrections

• Define corrections and its agencies and organizations.
• Understand the philosophies of punishment.
• Discuss the attitudes toward corrections and the role of criminological theory in contemporary corrections.
• Analyze current models of correctional programs.
• Understand the evolution of penology.

Sentencing and Criminal Sanctions

• Understand the sentencing goals and process.
• Identify sentencing policy and choices their implications for offenders.
• Discuss major sentencing decisions and issues.
• Describe pre-sentence investigation reports and their functions.

Jails, Their Functions, Inmate Profiles, and Administration

• Learn about the history of the development of jails, workhouses, and other short-term detention facilities in the United States.
• List and define the functions of jails.
• Understand the process of jail administration and the hiring and retention of jail personnel.
• Analyze current jail issues.

Prisons

• Understand the history and development of prisons in the United States.
• Contrast federal and state prison systems and administrations.
• Contrast prison designs and models of prison management and administration.
• Examine the issues surrounding juvenile and female prisons.

Inmates

• Define and contrast prison and jail inmate characteristics.
• Understand prison and jail culture.
• Identify and appreciate prisoner adaptive strategies.
• Discuss the patterns and effects of violence in correctional institutions.
• Examine the issues surrounding juvenile and female inmate populations.

Probation, Parole and Community Corrections Programs

• Understand probation in its history, philosophy, functions and effectiveness.
• Understand the evolution and philosophy of parole and the functions it serves.
• Describe the probation and parole revocation process.
• Discuss the various roles of probation and parole officers and the issues they face.
• Understand community-based corrections programs and its objectives.
• Examine measurement and evaluation of success and failure in community-based corrections programs.
• Discuss the role of the victim and community in community-based corrections programs.
• Compare and contrast treatment and punishment and discuss their combination.

Corrections Careers

• Compare and contrast correctional officers, probation officers, parole officers, and community corrections personnel, including their work roles in different jurisdictions and their recruitment and selection requirements.
• Identify and discuss challenges in the correctional workplace.

Corrections Administration and Management

• Understand contemporary management tasks in corrections.
• Understand contemporary issues facing corrections managers