Description:

This course is a comprehensive examination of community based corrections. The history of probation and parole is discussed as a foundation for the expanded coverage of correctional services offered in the community. Emphasis is given to modern correctional paradigms including diversion, intermediate sanctions and restorative justice. Practical field experience will broaden the students' understanding of this population and successful best practices of existing federal, state and county agencies will be examined. 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 history and development of community corrections from the 1400’s to current.
2. Describe the philosophy, historical background, goals and benefits of offender diversion.
3. Define the major strategies of community corrections including probation, intermediate sanctions, early release, parole and diversion.
4. Compare the current trends in intermediate sanctions and restorative justice in corrections.
5. Describe a variety of prison release programs including pardon, amnesty, commutation, reprieve, furlough, work release, halfway house and shock parole.
6. Explain the role of the probation and parole officer in the community corrections process.
7. Outline the basics of risk management within community corrections.
8. List various barriers to success for newly paroled offenders.
9. Discuss various special populations within community corrections including substance abusers, sex offenders, mentally ill offenders and gangs.
10. Distinguish the differences between adult and juvenile offenders and discuss programs targeted for juveniles.
11. Evaluate the effectiveness of probation, parole and other community corrections programs.
12. Discuss the roles of politics, technology, economy and crime on the future of community corrections.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. The Foundations of Community Corrections
   A. The Offender in the Community
      1. Identify the existence of criminals in our everyday society
through the use of statistics and consider their behavior within our
communities. 
      2. Examine the various phases of community corrections and the
criminal justice system including the legislative phase, apprehension
phase, adjudication phase and correctional phase.
      3. Define the major strategies of community corrections including
probation, intermediate sanctions, early release, parole and diversion.
      4. List the two basic objectives of punishment and crime prevention
within corrections.
      5. Discuss the three basic objectives of punishment, cost savings,
and reintegration within community corrections.
   B. Offenders in the Community Through History
      1. Explore the development of the democratic ideal in corrections.
      2. Study the origins of parole.
      3. Trace the history and development of probation from the 1400’s
through John Augustus.
      4. Discuss the reform, rehabilitation, and reintegration eras from a
historical perspective.
      5. Discuss the current trends of intermediate sanctions and
restorative justice in corrections.
   C. Classification of Crimes and Criminals
      1. Define both the prevention and punishment aims of offender
classification.
      2. Describe various classification systems for offenses and
offenders.
      3. Discuss the major problems related to classifying offenders. 
   D. Building Community Corrections
      1. Discuss the legislative, fiscal and political factors behind a
community corrections approach.
      2. Explore the basic assumptions which form the basis of community
corrections.
   E. Managing and Reducing Risk in Community Corrections
      1. Outline the basics of risk management within community
corrections.
      2. Summarize the role of supervision levels as a means of mitigating
risk. 
      3. Discuss risk management as a tool for public accountability.
      4. Examine the professional role of the case manager. 
      5. Analyze the emerging approach of risk reduction.

II. The Implementation of Community Corrections
   A. Offenders Under Diversion
      1. Describe the philosophy, historical background, goals and
benefits of offender diversion.
      2. Trace varying diversions occurring at different stages in the
justice process.
      3. Explore the role and benefit of restitution and community
service.
   B. Intermediate Sanctions
      1. Explore the historical background of intermediate sanctions.
      2. List a variety of intermediate sanctions, both those administered
by the judiciary and those administered either within the community or
through institutions within the community. 
      3. Evaluate the effectiveness and future of intermediate sanctions.
   C. Probation
      1. Define a centralized and decentralized approach to probation.
      2. Discuss whether probation and parole should be combined.   
      3. Study both the investigation and supervision functions of
probation.
      4. Summarize the advantages and disadvantages of probation.
      5. Discuss revocation and termination of probation.
      6. Analyze the effectiveness and future of probation.
   D. Promoting Justice in the Community
      1. Define community justice.
      2. Compare community justice as a sanction, a means of problem
solving, and restoration.
      3. Summarize both the advantages and concerns regarding community
corrections.
   E. Parole
      1. Examine three types of parole release: discretionary, mandatory
and expiration.
      2. Discuss a variety of other kinds of prison release programs
including pardon, amnesty,    
commutation, reprieve, furlough, work release, halfway house and shock
parole.
      3. Compare different types of releasing authorities.
      4. List various barriers to success for newly paroled offenders.
      5. Summarize the advantages and disadvantages of parole.
      6. Analyze the effectiveness and future of parole.
   F. Special Offenders in the Community
      1. Examine the role of substance abusers and sex offenders within
community corrections.
      2. Examine the role of mentally ill offenders and gangs within the
context of community corrections.
   G. The Juvenile Offender in the Community
      1. Distinguish the many important differences between adult and
juvenile offenders.
      2. Examine the development of the juvenile court.
      3. Discuss probation and various special correctional programs
targeted at juveniles.
   H. The Future of the Offender in the Community
      1. Describe the effect of politics and technology on the future of
community corrections.
      2. Examine the effect of crime on the economy.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

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

Three exams and a final will be administered.

A written project related to probation and parole issues will be
required.

Participation in field trips will be required.

Attendance in class will be required.

Grades will be calculated using the following scale:

  A = 90 – 100%    
  B = 80 – 89%  
  C = 70 – 79%  
  D = 60 - 69%  
  F =  0 – 59%    

Caveats:

1. 1. Students will need basic word processing and internet research 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.