Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Students attending this course study the effects of incarceration on individuals and groups while discussing adaptive strategies employed by inmates. The role of programs within these facilities, to further various intervention and treatment modalities, are discussed from an operational and public policy perspective. In addition, the active concept of reintegration is discussed, describing the proactive use of alternatives to incarceration and the responsible placement of offenders back into the community as law abiding-tax paying citizens.

At the completion of the course, students will be able to:
(1) identify the reasons for different types of corrections institutions,
(2) programs associated with various types of institutions, and
(3) their affect upon the community. In addition, students will describe and analyze
(4) the role and purpose of different confinement sanctions utilized within the criminal justice system,
(5) the inmate°s institutional culture,
(6) laws, rules and
standards associated with the operation of various institutions,
(7) costs and benefits of various confinement alternatives, and
(8) evaluate quantitatively and qualitatively criminal justice careers within institutions.

At the beginning of the course, the instructor will detail the methods used to assess student performance and progress, as well as the criteria for final grade. Methods of assessment will include the following: examinations, quizzes, homework assignments, research papers, class participation, and oral presentations.

This course will address topics that include, but are not limited to:
History of Corrections Institutions
The Role of Confinement Within The Criminal Justice System
Operational Aspects of Corrections Institutions
The Inmate Culture and Its Role Within The Institution
The Use of Programs and Treatment Within Institutions
The Goal of Reintegration
The Role of Alternatives To Incarceration