CJ 270

Intro to Corrections

Summer 2007

Instructor: Robert Sigler,

348-7781, 553-3897, rsigler@cj.as.ua.edu; Home page: bama.ua.edu/~rsigler/home

Office hours: after class each day

Text: Corrections: An Introduction, Richard Seiter, Pearson, 2007.

Course Description 3 hours of credit

This course is a descriptive review of the operations and nature of correctional institutions for adult male offenders. Social Structure, interpersonal interaction, employee profiles, inmate profiles, and management are discussed.

June 5 Introduction and overview

6 Chapter 1History

7 Chapter 2 Sentencing

8 Chapter 3 Jails

11 Chapter 4 Community Corrections

12 Chapter 5 Prison Systems

13 Chapter 6 After care

14 Chapter 7 adult inmates

15 Chapter 8 Children

18 Review

19 Exam

20 Chapter 9 Special Offenders

21 Chapter 10 Management

22 Chapter 11 Prison Life

25 Chapter 12 Staff term paper due

26 Chapter 13 Custody and Treatment

27 Chapter 14 Legal issues

28 Death Penalty and executions

29 Issues

July 2 Future

3 exam

Student Learning Outcomes

a. become familiar with the role of correctional institutions in the justice system.

b. become familiar with the nature of prison life for inmates.

c. become familiar with staff responsibilities.

Course Requirements

Midterm 35%

Final Exam 35%

Term Paper 30%

l00%

Term Paper

The term paper will be about 3,000 words (about l2-15 pages) in length. It will focus on any issue regarding correctional institutions. The paper will have the following sections (headings): l) description of the aspect of correctional institutions to be addressed 2) review of what is know about the topic; 3) Student’s evaluation of the effectiveness or suitability of the aspect discussed; 4) recommendations for improvement of the aspect discussed. No more than one half of the reference citations can come from non-refereed web sites. Due March 22.

A paper which does not follow the format with proper headings in the text will earn a C even if it is an excellent well written paper.

Class Format

This class is a lecture/discussion class. Specific chapters are assigned each day. Students will ask questions about the reading assignments or prior lectures at the beginning of each class. When the questions have been discussed, enrichment material will be presented by the instructor and discussed.

I expect my students to demonstrate the ability to think and reason for themselves. You need not agree with me during the class sessions. I will respect your right to disagree with me and to maintain any beliefs that you cherish. The same is not true for the exams. You must present exam answers consistent with the positions that I present in class even though you disagree with them. Our discussions will be sensitive and frank. While I want you to express your beliefs clearly, civility in all exchanges is essential in the classroom and is recommended for all other settings.

Grading Policy: Grades are not assigned on a "curve." It is possible for all students to earn an A. It is also possible for no one to earn an A. I have specific expectations for your performance so you are working to achieve my expectations not competing with each other.

Attendance Policy: There are no penalties for missing class. I will take roll each class period. You should be aware, however, that there is a direct relationship between attendance and grades. Those who attend regularly consistently make higher grades then those who don’t. This is probably caused by several factors including: some of the questions on the exams come directly from the lecture and professors generally talk about what is most important to them in lecture (you should not be too surprised to discover that these things also tend to appear on the exams). You also may earn up to three additional points on your final grade (you loose one point for each day of class that you miss).

Academic Misconduct Policy: All acts of dishonesty in any work constitute academic misconduct. This includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, fabrication of information, misrepresentation, and abetting any of the above. The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policies will be followed in the event of academic misconduct, including the right to appeal any decision or action taken under this policy.

Challenged Students: To request disability accommodations, please contact Disabilities Services (348-4285). After initial arrangements are made with Disabilities Services, please contact Bob Sigler at rsigler@cj.as.ua.edu, 348-7781, or 553-3897.