LAWF 2723 Introduction to Corrections Syllabus 010 Fall 2025

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Discuss early response to crime prior to the development of prisons.
2. Outline the history of probation and the characteristics of probationers.
3. Identify successful approaches underlying contemporary probation practices.
4. Explain how division is used to keep offenders out of the corrections system.
5. Explain the goals of intermediate sanctions, restitution programs, and community corrections.
6. Discuss the organizational structure of prisons and the jobs and functions of prison staff.
7. Explain prison culture for staff members to include unique challenges for female and minority correctional officers.
8. Discuss prison unit management and methods for controlling inmate behavior.
9. Explain the threat of prison gangs and the role of intelligence in coping with them.
10. Discuss the various treatment programs within a prison, including prison labor.
11. Explain classification for security versus classification for treatment.
12. Describe prison development from the reformatory era to the modern era.
13. Explain how inmate needs are identified
14. Explain how prison programs can lessen recidivism.
15. Describe the characteristics of jail inmates.
16. Discuss the organization and basic functions of state prisons and the impact budgets have on correctional policy.
17. Describe the development and operation of the federal prison system.
18. Describe the history of private-sector involvement in corrections.
19. Identify the advantages and disadvantages to privates-sector prisons.
20. Discuss the history of the death penalty and the many ways the correctional system is impacted by the death penalty as a form of punishment.
21. Explain the history and the current status of parole in the United States.
22. Discuss how parole is supervised, the effectiveness of parole, and how it is terminated.
23. Compare and contrast the Pennsylvania and Auburn systems.
24. Discuss the characteristics of male, female, and juvenile offenders and the facilities they are detained in.
25. Discuss the housing of offenders identified as mentally ill, with infectious diseases, or aging.
26. Discuss sentencing goals and primary punishment philosophies.
27. Discuss how public opinion about crime affects crime control policy.
28. Explain the role of prosecutorial plea bargaining.
29. Discuss different types of sentences and how sentencing decisions are made.
30. Describe alternatives to criminal courts and criminal trial process.
31. Discuss the appeal process.