TEXT, REFERENCES, AND SUPPLIES:

TEXT- REQUIRED:

Allen, H. E. & Simonsen, C. E. (2004). Corrections in America: An Introduction (10th ed). New Jersey: Prentice-Hall. ISBN:0-13-102728-X

REFERENCE MATERIALS:
Allen, H. E. & Simonsen, C. E. (2001). Corrections in America: An Introduction (9th ed). New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.

Bartollas, C. & Conrad, J. P. (1992). Introduction to Corrections (2d ed.). New York: Harper-Collins.
Bureau of Justice Statistics. Research Publications. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice.
Killinger, G.C. & Cromwell, P. F. (1973). Penology: The Evolution of Corrections in America. St. Paul: West.
Krantz, S. (1988). Corrections and Prisoner's Rights. St. Paul: West Publishing.
National Institute of Justice. Research Publications. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice.
Smylka, J.O. (1984). Probation and Parole: Crime Control in the Community. New York: Macmillan
Snarr, W. (1988). Introduction to Corrections. Dubuque: W.C. Brown.

NOTE: Do not delay getting the textbook form the College Bookstore. There is no guarantee that there will be any left after the third week of class.

SUPPLIES: Students will bring notebooks, pens, pencils, and Scantron® sheets for examinations to class. It is suggested that students purchase several Scantron sheets, both objective-type and essay-type, at the beginning of the semester, and have them available during class, in the event an unannounced quiz is given.

COURSE GOALS/ OBJECTIVES:

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

Discuss the history of corrections through the various periods and eras: from earliest times through A.D. 1700; between 1700 and 1800; from the early 1800s to the 1960s; and from the 1960s to present - the modern era of prisons

(Knowing the history of corrections, from earliest times to modern correctional efforts assists students and criminal justice professionals with understanding previous attempts to punish and rehabilitate, identifying errors and shortcomings in both practice and philosophy; and providing a basis for developing positive changes within today’s correctional systems to avoid repeating mistakes and improving the delivery of correctional services to offenders)

ACTIVITY: Students will submit a paper on an historical perspective of corrections
Relate the incidence of crime to correctional processes

(The effectiveness of correctional processes is directly related to recidivism rates; lower recidivism results in a safer society; a safer society promotes one of the primary goals of the criminal justice system)

Explain the legal process of sentencing

(Understanding the sentencing process is essential to criminal justice processionals working in today’s complex system; police and corrections officers must understand sentencing in order to understand both punishment and rehabilitation)

Explain incarceration as a method of punishing offenders

(Incarceration of offenders has both positive and negative effects on society; knowing both sides of the issue better prepares students to understand the complex issues surrounding sentencing)

Discuss the rights of prisoners and other legal aspects of corrections

(Understanding prisoner’s rights and ensuring they are not violated or abused are essential to avoiding lawsuits filed by prisoners against individual officer, correctional staff, and the government itself)

Discuss the death penalty from a correctional standpoint

(Condemned offenders present special problems for the correctional system; knowing and addressing these problems improves treatment of inmates and reduces the probability of lawsuits)

ACTIVITY: Students will submit a paper addressing some aspect of capital punishment
Explain special needs of females and males in prison

(Offender populations have general needs, and various population groups present specific needs; understanding these needs better enables the correctional staff to provide for them, avoiding problems such as riots and lawsuits)

Differentiate between custody and treatment

(Effective correctional personnel are able to differentiate between custody and treatment, recognize when each is occurring, and address the needs and problems of each)

Explain the role of jails and prisons

(Jails and prisons, although both correctional facilities, have specific and different purposes; understanding the differences enables the professional to set appropriate goals, recognize when they are meeting these goals, and effectively utilize each institution)

ACTIVITY: Students will visit a jail facility during the course
Compare the state and federal prison systems

(Although state and federal prisons have similar functions and goals, they have a vastly different population group, different governing laws and different sentencing statutes)

STUDENT CONTRIBUTIONS AND CLASS POLICIES:

Each student should anticipate at least one hour out of class preparation for each lecture hour, plus study time preparing for examinations. Attendance is important in this class.

Portable cellular phones, beepers, and similar paging devices may be disruptive to the class, and you are encouraged NOT to bring them into the classroom. If you do bring them to class, please make sure they are turned off. Should they become a nuisance, you may be asked to remove them from the classroom.

Students missing a major examination must make up the exam before the next class period unless other arrangements are made with the instructor. Make-up examinations may be the same as, or different from, the examination given in class. Make-up examinations will cover the same material as the scheduled examination. Failure to make up an examination within the next week will result in a grade of zero for the missed exam. Any assigned make-up work must be completed and turned in by Wednesday of the fifteenth week of the semester. No make-up work will be allowed during finals week.

Final exams are not given early or late.
The instructor reserves the right to give quizzes, announced or unannounced, at any time. There is no opportunity to make up quizzes that are missed.

NOTICE: The instructor reserves the right to drop students who stop attending or have an excessive number of absences. As a rule, however, the instructor does not drop students, and it is your responsibility to drop a class if you no longer plan to attend and complete the semester. Check the Midland College catalog for last day to drop. If you are in a TASP developmental course, and have excessive absences, you may be dropped from that course. That will automatically result in your being dropped from all courses at Midland College. Your instructor has no control over this.

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS: Specific instructions for preparing and submitting writing assignments are found on PAGE 10 of this syllabus. Writing papers is an integral part of your learning and preparation for a career in criminal justice. Follow these instructions carefully. If you are unsure of yourself, and have questions, make an appointment to see your instructor.


EVALUATION OF STUDENTS:

This is a guide and is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion.

A writing assignments is required in this course. It will address some aspect of corrections. Complete instructions are included in this syllabus. Please refer to that section for complete instructions.


COURSE SCHEDULE:

The class meets for three lecture hours per week.
An outline of the course is attached to this syllabus. This is a guide and is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion.

SCANS INFORMATION:

The following SCANS skills are taught and/or reinforced in this course:

Resources: Identifies, organizes, plans and allocates resources. Students will: demonstrate understanding of effect of budgetary constraints on correctional facilities; allocation of manpower in staffing and managing such facilities.

Systems: Understands complex interrelationships. Students will: know how organizational and social systems operate within the correctional setting; explain the role of prisons in the criminal justice system.

Reading: Locates, understands and interprets written information. Students will: demonstrate the ability to read the text and apply material learned to classroom discussion.

Writing: Communicates thoughts, ideas, information and messages in writing. Students will: complete and submit a term paper on a topic related to corrections in America.

Listening/Speaking: Receives, attends to, interprets, and responds to verbal messages in ways appropriate to the purpose; organizes ideas and communicates appropriate messages. Students will: participate in class discussion, answer questions directed at them, participate in reviews and ask questions as necessary to clarify material.

Personal Qualities: Displays responsibility, self-esteem, sociability, self-management, integrity and honesty. Students will: identify character strengths necessary for dealing effectively with inmates; assess need for inmates’ developing self-esteem; choose ethical courses of action when solving problems of prison administration and discipline.

*SCANS are workplace competencies established by the federal government; documentation of them is required in each program.

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:

Instructor: Robert W. Peez
Office: 174 TC
Telephone: 432-685-4685
E-mail: rpeetz@midland.edu
Fax: 432-685-4761
Division Business Studies
Chair: Mr. Gavin Frantz
Clerk: Ms. Mia Olvera
Office: 142 TC
Phone: (915) 685-6447
Office Hours: Subject to change each semester, office hours are posted and announced in class.

PRINCIPLES OF EDUCATION

Two principles should guide you through your education. First, from your education you should learn "how to think, not what to think." The second is from Dr. Gennaro Vito (1999), and has 10 parts:

1. Work is good. Hard work is even better.
2. Preparation is the key to success.
3. Quality and presentation count.
4. Revision improves all things.
5. Learn to use all the tools available to you.
6. Work must be completed on time.
7. Time is more valuable than money.
8. Do not become an educated fool.
9. Nothing stays the same. Either you get better or your get worse.
10. The classroom is no place for democracy.


COURSE OUTLINE: The class meets M W F 11:00 - 11:50 am in the Spring 2008 semester. This is a guide and is subject to change at the instructor's discretion.

This course outline is for Allen & Simonsen & Latessa's Corrections in America: An Introduction   (10th ed).

CORRECTIONAL SYSTEMS AND PRACTICES
WRITING ASSIGNMENTS

This course, Correctional System and Practices, has as a requirement for successful completion writing assignments. The number and topics will be determined by the instructor. At least one paper will relate to the historical development of prisons, and one will address an aspect of capital punishment. Other papers may be assigned at the instructor’s discretion.
These papers must be a minimum of four (4) typewritten, double spaced pages, not including the title page (required) and the reference page. Credit will be deducted for papers less than four pages in length, and a paper less than three pages will automatically earn a zero, without further consideration.
Grading will be based upon the content, the apparent effort put forth, the data reported, the accuracy of information, the composition, style and grammar used. Special attention should be given to sentence structure and vocabulary.
In the social sciences (sociology, criminology, psychology, etc) the preferred style of writing papers is the American Psychological Association (APA) Style. For students interested in learning this style, the manual for writing in the APA style is available through local bookstores and may be available at the Midland College bookstore. If you have questions about the APA style, contact your instructor. You are not required to write in this style. You must, however, cite all references and use an accepted citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, Terabian, etc.). It is suggested that you write this paper in the APA Style, however, in preparation for transferring to a four-year university, where this style will be required.

THIS PAPER WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED LATE FOR ANY REASON.This paper counts two fifths (40%) of your final grade.Only original copies of the paper will be graded. Carbon/Xerox copies are not acceptable. Papers will be stapled in the upper left corner, and will not be enclosed in any type of plastic or paper folder.

MAKE A COPY OF YOUR PAPER BEFORE SUBMITTING IT!

WARNING
In the past, students have procrastinated, on both term papers and other assignments. Students have had such problems as typing papers on the night before they are due, and having the electricity go out, losing not only the computer, but the whole report; or having relied on another student to type a paper on the morning it is due, the typist arrived at school late, and the paper was not ready on time. You are responsible for your work, and excuses such as these will not cause a paper to be accepted late!