Description:

This course will explore the correctional system and trace the evolution of criminal sanctions from early English common law to the present. An examination of local, state, and federal correctional systems will provide an overview of society's response to criminal behavior. Students will be introduced to a detailed examination of jails, prisons, and community corrections. 3 hrs. lecture/ wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Prerequisites: NONE

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Trace the development of criminal sanctions from early history to the present.
2. Explain the local, state, and federal correctional systems and outline the differences in the operational processes of each.
3. Discuss the constitutional rights of offenders in the United States and analyze how these protections impact the health, safety, and security of the offender and society.
4. Evaluate the impact of correctional technology on the criminal justice system.
5. Assess various criminal justice populations including inmates, victims, special needs offenders, juveniles, and correctional staff and discuss management techniques and strategies applicable to each.
6. Trace the offender as he/she moves through the criminal justice system.
7. Discuss alternatives to incarceration including diversion, community based corrections, intermediate sanctions, and intensive supervised probation.
8. Examine the potential impact of technology on the field of corrections.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. History and Evolution of the Correctional System
   A. Examine the early period (2000 B.C. to A.D. 1700) of society’s
response to unacceptable behavior from early tribal responses to the
reactions of a scientific enlightenment age.
   B. Outline the emergence of imprisonment as a form of punishment for
crime from 1700 to 1800.
   C. Summarize the age of prisons from 1800 to the present.
   D. Review the shifting ideologies and philosophies in recent history.

II. Legal and Court Systems
   A. Define the types of offenses that bring a person into the judicial
system.
   B. Explain the filtering or funneling process as the offender moves
through the justice system understanding that very few reach
incarceration.
   C. Distinguish between indeterminate and determinate sentencing
procedures.
   D. Examine the appellate review process.

III. The Correctional Subsystems
   A. Examine the structure and process involved in jails and detention
facilities.
   B. Describe the most frequently used option before incarceration –
probation – how it developed, where it is today and its future.
   C. Review the types of intermediate sanctions.
   D. Compare and contrast detention, probation and parole.
   E. Analyze issues related to privatization of the correctional
institution.

IV. The Correctional Client
   A. Examine the major health, safety and security issues for
incarcerated males.
   B. Review the major health, safety and security issues for incarcerated
females.
   C. Analyze the changing attitudes toward juvenile offenders
Attributable to the increase of violence and gang-related crime.
   E. Describe the special categories of offenders such as the mentally
ill or the elderly and efforts to deal with them within the confines of
the institutions.

V. The Future of Corrections
   A. Discuss the relevant issues and problems of the correctional system
in the context of the present and future social environment.
   B. Examine the issue of overcrownding from a sociological perspective.
   C. Describe the implication of the incarceration of more and more
people for society.
   D. Acess the potential impact of technology upon the correctional
system.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

1.  A minimum of three exams which will constitute at least 40% of the
final grade.  The exams will include questions of a factual, analytical and
evaluative nature.
2. Written research, analytical or evaluative assignments which will
constitute at least 30% of the final grade.
3. The remaining percentage will be left to the instructor’s discretion
for such items as participation in class discussion, group activities,
etc.
4. Evaluation criteria for writing:  complete, concrete, correct and clear
writing is a major goal for each project assigned.  In addition,
incorporation of the elements and characteristics of the specific type of
writing is expected.

Caveats:

1. Students will need basic word processing and Internet searching skills for the completion of some papers, exercises and projects.

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.