Correctional Systems & Practices
Hybrid Course
Semester Hours Credit: 3
Lecture Hours: 48
Course Dates/Times: March 23 – May 15, 2015/ 1800-2100
In Class sessions – Tuesdays: March 24, 31; April 7, 14, 21, 28; May 5, 12, with additional weekly CTC Blackboard discussions and assignments
Instructor: Tameka Leonard
Office Hours: By Appointment
Instructor Email:
Phone: 642448468
INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY
Tameka Leonard received an Associate degree of Applied Science in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. She was a Military Police officer in the Air Force for five years and an Individual Mobilization Augmentee for three years. After her military duty, she went on to work for the Colorado Department of Corrections, for three years, where she worked in the housing units of both male and female prisons.
I. INTRODUCTION
A. This course is a study of the role of corrections in the criminal justice system. Topics include organization and theory of correctional systems, institutional operations, management, alternatives to institutionalization, treatments and rehabilitation, and current and future issues.
B. This course is not chronologically dependent upon other Law Enforcement courses. It is an elective course for the Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice degree program.
C. This course is occupationally related and serves in preparation for careers in law enforcement, criminal justice, and corrections.
D. Prerequisite(s): (None)
II. LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, Correctional Systems and Practices, the student will be able to:
A. Identify the organization and role of corrections.
B. Distinguish operations and procedure within correctional programs.
C. Appraise rehabilitation, alternatives to institutionalization, and future issues.
III. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
A. The instructional materials identified for this course are viewable through
http://www.ctcd.edu/im/im_main.asp
Required Student Textbook:
Siegel, Larry J. (2014). Corrections Today-CTC Custom Cover. (2nd Ed.) Publisher: Cengage
ISBN: 9781285921310
B. References:
1. Carlson, Peter M. and Judith Simon Garrett, Prison and Jail Administration: Practice and Theory, Gaithersburg, MD: Jones & Bartlett., 2000.
2. Clear, Todd R. and George F. Cole, American Corrections, 6th Ed, Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Pub, 2002.
3. Silverman, Ira J. and Manuel Vega, Corrections: A Comprehensive View, 2nd Ed, St. Paul, MN: West Pub. Co., 2001.
IV. COURSE REQUIREMENTS
A. Your first responsibility is scholarship. The grade you receive for this course will not be the grade of the instructor, but rather the grade you and you alone make.
B. You should attend class regularly in both face-to-face and online Central Texas College (CTC) Blackboard classes. Online attendance involves logging into your Blackboard class and participating in discussions, submitting assignments, etc. Be prepared to also take any unannounced quizzes relating to text assignments and lecture material presented from the beginning of the course. Please refer to ‘Class Attendance and Course Progress’ under the Academic Policies section in our current CTC Course Catalog.
C. You are encouraged to give your best effort throughout the course. From the beginning, you should plan for a steady, organized, and continuous effort, which in the long run will prove more effective for your final grade than a last minute crash-cram policy. Your course grade is not determined solely by exam grade. Such factors as class participation, initiative, attendance, and individual research papers or projects will be considered in grade computation.
D. From time to time, special library and/or outside assignments will be made to members of the class individually and/or in groups. You are expected to read all assignments and fulfill your responsibilities to any group assignment.
E. You are expected to read all assigned material and bring your textbook/reading materials to class. Keep informed on all assignments, especially after an absence.
F. Good class notes are indispensable for earning a good grade, since both the material assigned and that discussed in class will be the basis for examination material.
G. Scholastic Honesty: All students are required and expected to maintain the highest standards of scholastic honesty in the preparation of all coursework and during examinations. The following are considered examples of scholastic dishonesty:
Plagiarism: The taking of passages from the writing of others without giving proper credit to the sources.
Collusion: Using another’s work as one’s own, or working together with another person in the preparation of work, unless such joint preparation is specifically approved in advance by the instructor.
Cheating: Giving or receiving information on examinations.
H. Special Work: A term paper or other project, per requirements of the instructor, will be required. The subject must be appropriate for the course material. Check with the instructor when you have made a selection. The value is indicated in the semester grade computation and has considerable weight on your final average.
V. COURSE FORMAT – Hybrid with BLACKBOARD
This course has been developed as a hybrid course. Hybrid courses combine face-to-face classroom instruction with assignments and interaction with instructor via CTC Blackboard. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that they have access to CTC Blackboard and that they are familiar with the contents and assignments. It is also the student’s responsibility to log into CTC Blackboard at least once a week to ‘attend’ the online class portion and to participate in the online Blackboard discussions and assignments. Failure to do so will violate the attendance policy and will have a negative impact on the course grade.
The course will meet for eight weeks--once a week--for a three-hour face-to-face session. In addition, instructional strategies will include weekly CTC Blackboard assignments and discussion boards to accomplish the remaining instruction per week.
VI. EXAMS
A. There will be a minimum of two major examinations and a written paper or project as follows:
1. Mid-term exam on 14 April
2. Final exam on 12 May
3. Paper or Project due on 12 May
B. A student must be present for all examinations. Students who know in advance that they will be absent from an examination due to valid reasons must arrange to take an early examination. Unexpected absences due to illness or extenuating circumstances will require the student to see the instructor about individual make-up work.
C. Students without excused absences will be given a zero for the missed examination.
D. Examinations will consist of both objective (true/false, multiple choice, fill in-the-blank, and matching) and subjective (short answer and essay) questions. Students must be able to communicate both orally and in written form, thus some questions requiring the composition and writing of an essay answer will be required.
VII. SEMESTER GRADE COMPUTATIONS
The final grade in this course will be based on the following:
Participation 100 points
Assignments & Quizzes 200 points
Discussion Boards (mandatory) 200 points
Term Paper/Term Presentation 200 points
Mid-term Exam 100 points
Final Exam 200 points
Total possible points: 1000 points
POINTS GRADES
900-1000 A=4 pts/sem hr
800-899 B=3 pts/sem hr
700-799 C=2 pts/sem hr
600-699 D=1 pt/sem hr
0-599 F=0 pts/sem hr
VIII. NOTES AND ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FROM COURSE INSTRUCTOR
A. Tuition refunds are made only in the case of class cancellation or official and timely withdrawal from CTC or from a course. Please refer to the current course catalog for more details.
B. GoArmyEd students should contact their education counselor before withdrawing and are required to withdraw through the GoArmyEd portal.
Please note: a military withdrawal does not override CTC’s grading policy.
For self-pay students, refunds are computed from the date the Application for
Withdrawal or Refund is filed with the CTC Field Representative or designated Student
Services Officer. Special conditions apply to students who receive federal, state, and/or
institutional financial aid.
Tuition and fees paid directly to the Institution by the Veterans Administration, Title IV (Financial Aid Programs, a sponsor, donor, or scholarship shall be refunded to the source rather than directly to the students.
C. Course Withdrawals, Student Responsibilities: It is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw from a course. The instructor cannot initiate a withdrawal based upon a student’s request. Rather, students must initiate the withdrawal with the designated Education Center Representative, through the CTC Field Representative or the Student Services Officer for that region.
Applications for Withdrawal will be accepted at any time before the completion of 75% of the course, after which time the student will be assigned an “FN”- “Failure for Non-attendance.”
D. Incomplete / Course in Progress Grade Policy: An “IP” or “Incomplete” grade may be assigned by an instructor if a student has made satisfactory progress in a course with the exception of a major quiz, final exam, or other project. The “IP” grade may also be assigned based on circumstances beyond a student’s control, such as personal illness, death in the immediate family, or military orders. Notice of absences, with supporting documentation, may be required by the instructor. The instructor makes the final decision concerning the granting of the incomplete grade. With an “Incomplete” grade, students are required to complete a set amount of work before the instructor will submit an official letter grade.
E. Cellular phones, beepers, and other electronic devices will be turned off while the student is in the classroom or laboratory unless the student is using the device for class purposes. No texting or social networking is allowed during class.
F. Instructor Discretion: The instructor reserves the right of final decision in course requirements.
G. Civility: Individuals are expected to be cognizant of what a constructive educational experience is and respectful of those participating in a learning environment. Failure to do so can result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.
VIII. COURSE OUTLINE
Note:
The instructor has the right to change the course schedule. Any changes will be announced in class. If the student misses a class period and changes are announced, it is the student’s responsibility to receive the missed information from a classmate or the instructor.
Hybrid courses combine face-to-face classroom instruction with assignments and interaction via CTC Blackboard. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that they have access to internet so that they may communicate, via CTC Blackboard, with the instructor. The class is broken down into eight sessions. See below for course outline.
Session 1- (23-28 March) Intro and Chapters 1, 2 & 3
i. Class will meet face to face on 24 March (1800-2100)
ii. CTC Blackboard discussion board posts are due by Thursday at midnight (European time)
iii CTC Blackboard peer response to discussion board posts is due by Saturday midnight (European Time)
iv. CTC Blackboard assignment/project is due Saturday midnight (European time)
A. Unit One: Course Introduction and Chapter 1, The Correctional System
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be able to:
a. Describe course requirements and grading.
b. Understand the reasons why we punish.
c. discuss the theories of punishment.
d. Identify the ideas found within Enlightenment thinking and how they influenced corrections.
e. Define the early prison reformers and what they contributed.
f. Understand how the Pennsylvania and Auburn models differ from one another.
g. Explain how reformatories contributed to the rehabilitation model,
h. Discuss the purpose of corrections.
i. Explain the relationship between corrections and the criminal justice system.
j. Understand the extent and consequences of prison overcrowding
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Reading assignment: Chapter 1
c. Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
B. Unit Two: Chapter 2, Sentencing and the Correctional Process
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will:
a. Explain the role of the court team in the sentencing process.
b. Explain what is meant by indeterminate sentencing.
c. Explain what is meant by indeterminate sentencing.
d. Describe the role of sentencing guidelines.
e. Know what is meant by truth-in-sentencing.
f. Identify the most serious issues in sentencing.
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Reading assignment: Chapter 2
c. Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
C. Unit Three: Chapter 3, Community Corrections: Diversion and Probation
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will:
a. Explain what is meant by the term community corrections act.
b. are the main types of diversion programs and identify their advantages and disadvantages.
c. Understand the advantages of being placed on probation.
d. Explain the risk assessment models and their current emphasis.
e. Understand the various ways probation is administered.
f. Understand the legal rights of probationers.
g. Evaluate the effectiveness of probation and identify some of the promising programs in probation services.
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Reading assignment: Chapter 3
c. Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
Session 2 (30 March- 4 April) Chapters 4 & 5
i. Class will meet face to face March 31 (1800 - 2100)
ii. CTC Blackboard discussion board posts are due by Thursday at midnight (European time)
iii CTC Blackboard peer response to discussion board posts is due by Saturday midnight (European Time)
iv. CTC Blackboard assignment/project is due Saturday midnight (European time)
D. Unit Four: Chapter 4, Intermediate Sanctions
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will:
a. Understand the benefits of intermediate sanctions.
b. Identify the continuum of intermediate sanctions.
c. Identify the sanctions that stand alone and what they contribute to intermediate sanctions.
d. Identify the sanctions as an add-on to probation and what they contribute to intermediate sanctions.
e. Understand the relationship between restorative justice and intermediate sanctions.
f. Evaluate the effectiveness and future of intermediate sanctions.
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Reading assignment: Chapter 4
c. Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
E. Unit Five: Chapter 5, The Jail: Detention and Short-Term Confinement
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will:
a. Describe the purpose of the jail.
b. Explain the bail process, pretrial release, and preventative detention.