Texas A&M University Texarkana Criminal Justice Program CJ 547 (Seminar in Corrections) Spring Semester, 2014 I. Locator Information:

Transcription

1 Texas A&M University Texarkana Criminal Justice Program CJ 547 (Seminar in Corrections) Spring Semester, 2014 I. Locator Information: Professor: Dr. Godpower O. Okereke Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice Office: 203 University Center Office Hours: MTWR 9:00 to 11:30 AM Wednesdays 5:30 to 6:45 PM Also Available by Appointment Phone: (903) Fax: (903) II. Course Description: Seminar in Corrections is a course that examines the field of corrections from both historical and contemporary perspectives. Course materials would include a discussion of earlier forms of punishment, evolution of modern prisons, the philosophy of community-based corrections and the controversies that plaque the field of corrections. III. Course Objectives: Relevant to the above, the objectives of this course are: 1. To discuss the history of correctional thought. 2. To identify and discuss various forms of punishment. 3. To discuss the evolution of the concepts of penitentiary and corrections. 4. To identify and discuss the various levels of imprisonment. 5. To discuss the history and development of probation and parole. 6. To discuss other forms of community-based corrections. 7. To identify and discuss factors that influence placement in the various types of correctional facilities along with alternatives to imprisonment. 8 To discuss current controversies in the field of corrections IV. Course Competencies: Upon completion of this course, students would be able to: 1. Chronicle the history of modern prisons along with their alternatives. 2. Identify and discuss the purposes of criminal punishment. 3. Differentiate between various types of corrections and correctional facilities. 4. Enumerate at least five issues that plague the field of corrections today.

2 Va. Required Textbook: The required text for this course is: Addicted to Incarceration: Corrections Policy and the Politics of Misinformation in the United States (2009) by Travis C. Pratt. ISBN: Vb. Supplemental Textbook: The Politics of Imprisonment: How the Democratic Process Shapes the Way America Punishes Offenders. (2009) by Vanessa Barker. ISBN VI. Course Evaluation: Ten Consecutive tests points Research Project points Presentation points Total points points VII. Schedule of Activities and Reading List: Week 1: Introduction to the American Criminal Justice System with Emphasis on Corrections Week 2: Chapter 1: Introduction: The Politics and Consequences of Incarceration Week 3: Chapter 2: The Politics of Punishment in the United States Week 4: Chapter 2: The Politics of Punishment in the United States. Week 5: Chapter 3: Misinformation About the Crime Problem Week 6: Chapter 3: Misinformation About the Crime Problem Week 7: Chapter 4: Misinformation About Public Opinion Week 8: Chapter 4: Misinformation About Public Opinion Week 9: Chapter 5: Misinformation About Prisons and Crime Control Week 10: Chapter 5: Misinformation About Prisons and Crime Control Week 11: Chapter 5: Misinformation About Prisons and Crime Control Week 12: Chapter 6: The Social Costs and Consequences of Incarceration

3 Week 13: Chapter 6: The Social Costs and Consequences of Incarceration Week 14: Chapter 7: Conclusions and Recommendations. Week 15: Chapter 7: Conclusions and Recommendations. IX. Teaching Methodologies: This class is a graduate seminar. Like other graduate seminars, it encourages independence of thought. As a result, my strategy will be to present issues and subjects covered in both the required text and in the supplementary text and in any other course materials referenced or handed out in class to facilitate discussions on those issues and subjects in order to arouse the students intellect. The presentations will be designed to tickle the students intellectual curiosity so that each student can critically examine the issues under discussion and be able to articulate their own ideas and/or views on such issues or subjects. Guest speaker(s), visual and/or audio materials could be employed to augment the presentations if possible. Students participation in class discussions is essential. X. Research Project: Students are required to choose a topic within the sub-area of corrections by Friday, January 24 th, Once approved by the professor, the student will research the issue thoroughly and then conduct an unbiased evaluation of the issue in light of contemporary realities regarding administration of justice under an adversarial criminal justice system. The student will then make a formal presentation to the class demonstrating the following: 1. A clear understanding of the issue. 2. Why the issue is important within the American system of justice. 3. The extent to which the issue affects those who are a part of the corrections system. 4. How the issue affects the American society as a whole. 5. What society could do about this issue and why. A week before presentations begin, each student will turn in a typed two-page summary of their findings along with a complete list of the sources consulted to prepare the presentation. The two-page summary will be due on April 9 th, 2014; presentations will begin on April 16 th, 2014 and will proceed alphabetically. XI. ACADEMIC DISHONESTY AND PLAGIARISM Academic honesty is expected of students enrolled in this course. Cheating on examinations, unauthorized collaboration, falsification of research data, plagiarism, and copying or undocumented use of materials from any source, constitute academic dishonesty, and may be grounds for a grade of F in the course and/or disciplinary action. The student is responsible for reading and understanding the University Policy

4 on Academic Integrity. For help identifying and avoiding plagiarism go to XII. DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION Students with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations through the A&M- Texarkana Disability Services Office by contacting Carl Greig by calling XIII. CLASSROOM COURTESY Cell phone and beepers: Students are required to turn off cell phones or beepers while in the classroom. If an emergency situation exists which requires you to be contacted immediately, you are expected to discuss the situation with the professor prior to the beginning of class presentation. Talking to fellow students. Students are expected to refrain from talking while formal instruction is being presented. This applies to the professor and student instruction. XIV. References Abadinsky, Howard. (2000). Probation and Parole: Theory and Practice, (7 th edition). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall. Allen, Harry, Eric Carlson, and Evalyn Parks. (1979). Critical Issues in Adult Probation: A Summary. Washington, DC: National Institute of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice. Altman, Robert and Robert E. Murray. (1997). Home Confinement: A 90s Approach to Community Supervision. Federal Probation. 61, 1: Anderson, David C. (1998). Sensible Justice: Alternatives to Prison. New York: New Press. Austin, James and John Irwin. (2001). It s About Time: America s Imprisonment Binge, 3 rd edition. Belmont, California: Wadsworth. Beck, Allen J. (2000). Prisoners in Washington DC.: U.S. Department of Justice. Bilchik, Shay. (1998). A Juvenile Justice System for the 21 st Century. Washington DC.: OJJDP Juvenile Justice Bulletin. Bonczar, Thomas P. and Lauren F. Glaze. (1998). Probation and Parole in the United States. Washington DC.: U.S. Department of Justice. Bonczar, Thomas P. and Lauren F. Glaze. (1999). Probation and Parole in the United States.

5 Washington DC.: U.S. Department of Justice. Bonczar, Thomas P. (1997). Characteristics of Adults on Probation. Washington DC.: U.S. Department of Justice. Burke, Peggy D. (1997). Policy-Driven Responses to Probation and Parole Violations. Washington DC.: National Institute of Corrections. Byrne, James M. and Faye S. Taxman. (1994). Crime Control Policy and Community Corrections Practice. Education and Program Planning. 17: Camp, Camille Graham and George M. Camp. (1999). The Corrections Yearbook. Middletown, CT: Criminal Justice Institute. Carmen, Rolando V. Del, Jeffrey D. Dailey, and Lance Emerson. (1996). Community Supervision: Law and Practice in Texas. Huntsville, TX: SHSU Press. Carmen, Rolando V. Del. (1995). Potential Liabilities of Probation and Parole Officers. Washington DC.: National Institute of Corrections. Cole, George B. (1999). Communication within Parole and Probation. Master s Thesis, University of Baltimore. Crank, John P. (1996). The Construction of Meaning during Training for Probation and Parole. Justice Quarterly. 13, 2: Cullen, Francis T. and Karen E. Gilbert. (1982). Reaffirming Rehabilitation. Cincinnati, OH: Anderson. Cushman, Robert C. and Dale Sechrest. (1992). Variations in the Administration of Probation Supervision. Federal Probation. 56, 3: Czajkoski, Eugene. (1973). Exposing the Quasi-Judicial Role of the Probation Officer. Federal Probation. Dimascio, William. (1997). Seeking Justice: Crime and Punishment in America. New York: Edna McConnell Clark Foundation. Donnelly, P.G. and B. Forschner. (1997). Client Success or Failure in a Halfway House. Federal Probation. 48: Gaylin Willard and David Rothman. (1976). Introduction in Andrew von Hirschi, Doing Justice: The Choice of Punishments. New York: Hill and Wang.

6 Glaser, Daniel. (1995). Preparing Convicts for Law-Abiding Lives: The Pioneering Penology of Richard A. Mcgee. Albany, N.Y.: State University of New York Press. Gottfredson, Michael R. and Travis Hirschi. (1990). A General Theory of Crime. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. Griswold, David B. and Michael B. Wiatrowski. (1983). The Emergence of Determinate Sentencing. Federal Probation. June Grooms, Robert M. (1982). Recidivism. Crime and Delinquency. 28: Haesler, Walter T. (1992). The Released Prisoner and his Difficulties to be Accepted Again as a Normal Citizen. Euro-Criminology. 4: Harris, M. Kay. (1996). Key Differences Among Community Corrections Acts in the United States: An Overview. Prison Journal. 76, 2: Klein, Andrew. (1997). Alternative Sentencing, Intermediate Sanctions, and Probation, 2 nd edition. Cincinnati, OH: Anderson. Klockars, Carl B. (1974). A Theory of Probation Supervision. Journal of Criminal Law, Criminology and Police Science. 63:4. Latessa, Edward and Harry E. Allen. (1982). Halfway Houses and Parole: A National Assessment. Journal of Criminal Justice. 10, 2: Lynch, Mona. (1998). Waste Managers? The New Penology, Crime Fighting, and Parole Agent Identity. Law and Society Review. 32, 4: Martinson, Roberts. (1974). What Works? Questions and Answers about Prison Reform. Public Interest. 25. Mauer, Mark. (1995). The International Use of Incarceration. Prison Journal. 75: McCarthy, Belinda, Bernard McCarthy, and Matthew C. Leone. (2001). Community-Based Corrections, 4 th edition. Belmont, California: Wadsworth. Welch, Michael. (2005). Ironies of Imprisonment. Thousand Oaks: California: Sage Publications. (1999). Punishment in America: Social Control and the Ironies of Imprisonment. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications. (2008). Corrections: A Critical Approach. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications.