CJ G150: Introduction To Corrections
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Curriculum Committee Approval Date | 05/17/2022 |
| Top Code | 210500 - Administration of Justice |
| Units | 3 Total Units |
| Hours | 54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54) |
| Total Outside of Class Hours | 0 |
| Course Credit Status | Credit: Degree Applicable (D) |
| Material Fee | No |
| Basic Skills | Not Basic Skills (N) |
| Repeatable | No |
| Grading Policy | Standard Letter (S) |
| Local General Education (GE) |
|
| California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) |
|
| Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) |
|
Course Description
This course will examine the history, theories, and practices concerning the institutionalization of criminal offenders in America. Students will study probation and parole systems, as well as jail and prison programs currently in use in the United States. Incarceration trends will be analyzed along with the political environment's effect on the prosecution and sentencing process. Students will explore different crime causation theories and how they relate to historical and modern effectiveness in community-based corrections programs. Students will gain a historical and theoretical understanding of the issues related to managing inmates in institutions, and the constitutional issues that surround the corrections system. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC. C-ID: AJ 200. C-ID: AJ 200.
Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)
- Course Outcomes
- Examine crime causation theories.
- Describe the historical development of prisons.
- Describe various intermediate sanctions that include treatment and rehabilitation programs.
- Identify the role jails currently play in American corrections and issues jail administrators face.
Course Objectives
- 1. Identify the historical evolution of corrections in the United States.
- 2. Describe the history, purpose, and characteristics of probation.
- 3. Describe the history, purpose, and characteristics of parole.
- 4. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of probation and parole.
Lecture Content
History and Evolution of Corrections Early history The introduction of the penitentiary Correctional systems Corrections as an component of the Criminal Justice System Laws and Legal Processes Early laws and codes Incidence of crime Crime statistics The criminal investigation process Prosecution from beginning to end Rights of the accused and the inmate Constitutional issues and appeals Role of Corrections Trends in sentencing and incarceration The pre-sentence investigation report Options used by the judiciary Alternatives to jail and prison Disparity issues in sentencing Judicial discretion at sentencing Political issues and factors Characteristics of Offenders Living patterns, age, race, sex Delinquency and the family group Labeling and stigma theories Alcohol/narcotics-related issues Economic situation History of sexual/domestic abuse Probation: History and Practice John Augustus and the history of probation Organization and administration of probation Services offered by probation Restrictions and conditions placed on probationers Suspended sentences and diversion options The work of a probation officer Adult and juvenile caseloads Intermediate Sanctions Restitution, fines and community service Home detention and electronic monitoring History and Evolution of Prisons in America History of prisons in the United States Classification of offenders Maximum, medium and minimum security facilities Alternatives to prison Prison education and wo rk programs Prison industries The future of prison facilities and incarceration Parole Life outside of prison, re-entering the community The parole agent as a police officer and social worker Megans law and laws that deal with parolees Managing a parolee as an alternative to incarceration Rehabilitation theories and controversies Crime Causation Theories The Classical School The Anthropological Theory The Psychological Theory Differential Association Theory Biological Determination Theory Strain Theory Conflict Theory
Method(s) of Instruction
- Lecture (02)
Reading Assignments
Textbook Selected instructor handouts Article reviews Research materials
Writing Assignments
Participate in group learning activities Problem-solving scenarios and reflection paper Summarize peer-review articles
Out-of-class Assignments
Crime docudramas and writing a synopsis Reading assignments (journal articles) Discussions
Demonstration of Critical Thinking
Students will study the system of corrections and will be required to make plausible recommendations for change and reform to the system. They will be required to defend their point of view using course material or other notable publications. Students will participate in active class discussions of the lecture and reading material. They will be required to evaluate information and present their ideas in an informed and respectful manner. Students will research and examine crime causation theories and write a research paper that is based on the theory of their choosing.
Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration
Students will research and examine crime causation theories in this course and write a research paper that is based on the theory of their choosing.
Eligible Disciplines
Administration of justice (police science, corrections, law enforcement): Any bachelors degree and two years of professional experience, or any associate degree and six years of professional experience.
Textbooks Resources
1. Required Hanser, Robert D.. Introduction to Corrections, 3rd ed. Sage, 2020 , ISBN: 9781593453138.