Course Section Information
Police and Public Safety Institute
Penology
COR 1924
Program:
Professor:
Email:
Phone:
Office:
Office Hours:
Community and Justice Services Program
Cat Baron
cat.baron@algonquincollege.com
613-727-4723 ext. 2451
P112
See Blackboard
Section-Specific Learning Resources
Required Text:
Corrections in Canada: Social Reactions to Crime
Editor: John A. Winterdyk
Publisher: Prentice Hall, 2001
ISBN 0-13-084425-X
Articles, pamphlets, audio-visual materials and web-based readings will be provided in class and through
Blackboard.
Course Guidelines
Assignment Expectations:
For all work, you must provide references when quoting or when using information that is not yours.
The in-text reference should include the author’s last name and the year of publication of the material
you are using, and then your reference page should include proper APA formatted references for all intext references provided. Remember, even when you don’t directly quote someone else, if you are
using their idea or their research findings, you need to reference the information.
All papers must be typed, double-spaced, and stapled with a cover page and a reference page, and
must include sub-headings. Spelling and grammar, and overall appearance will affect your final mark.
No Late Assignments Will Be Accepted!!
1
Evaluation:
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
Correctional Philosophies Paper (see below) worth 20% of final grade
Prison Tour Reflection Paper (see below) worth 20% of final grade
2 Exams (short answer, multiple choice) worth 20% each for a total of 40% of final grade
Attendance – must be in attendance to complete papers and be successful on exams; you lose 3
marks for each missed class if you do not notify ahead of time, and 1½ marks for each missed class if
you do notify; must demonstrate active participation to earn full marks; worth 20% of final grade
Correctional Philosophies Paper
Part of the study of Penology is a look at the correctional philosophies which have existed and which still
guide correctional practices in Canada. Correctional philosophies are core beliefs and convictions which
describe what the priorities are for an institution. These philosophies outline the focus of institutions in
terms of their goals and programming, and guide how institutions treat inmates. Your job with this
paper is to decide what philosophy / philosophies you stand behind.
You will need to use your Penology readings and notes (particularly Chapter 6 of the textbook and Week
3 notes).
For the purpose of this assignment, in groups of four members (maximum), you will be the Executive
Director and Board of Directors of an institution. You will:
1. Describe briefly what type of penal institution you are running for adult clients (gender,
security/risk level, etc.). You can give your facility a name if you want.
2. Pick a correctional philosophy (from those covered in class and in your readings) that you wish to
use in your facility. Describe how this philosophy affects your practice at the institution – how
are inmates treated, how are your correctional officers expected to act, what programming is
available in accordance with the philosophy, etc.
3. Develop a mission statement for your institution based on your correctional philosophy.
A mission statement is a brief, clear statement of the purpose of an organization. It describes the
primary ideal or thrust of the organization or its reason for existing. It answers concisely these three
questions: What does the organization do? For whom does the organization do what it does? How does
the organization do its work?
The explanation of your correctional philosophy and your mission statement need to be unique and in
your own words. There are many mission statements out there, but you need to use some intellect and
skill in developing your own. The report is due in Week 8.
Prison Tour Paper
This paper will follow your tour of the federal institutions in Kingston. Its purpose is to allow you to
demonstrate what you have learned in the course along with what you have learned in other courses
and have observed in the field in terms of institutional environments, security, programming, etc. The
report is due the week after the tour, and must include the following information (under sub-headings):
2
1. Introduction: include the name of the institution you visited and any other relevant information you
think needs to be included (if you visit more than one institution, you can pick one to reflect upon for
the bulk of this assignment, then you can use the other institution as a comparison in part 4).
2. Security: discuss the security level of the institution and include at least two examples of each type
of security (static and dynamic) you witnessed or discussed during your tour.
3. Reflection: reflect on the tour and discuss how the institution and the tour met or did not meet your
expectations (be thorough – state what your expectations were, then discuss whether or not they
were met). Include your personal reflections in terms of what you saw and experienced while in the
institution. If you toured two institutions, compare your experiences (how were they different, what
was your experience of difference in the security levels, etc.). You will also want to reflect on the
tour of the Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre (OCDC) and how that institution compares to federal
institutions.
Course Schedule
Subject to change.
Week
Date
Week 1
January 11
Topic and Assignments
Introduction to the Course
Deliverables
Week 2
January 18
Corrections and the Criminal
Justice System
Reading – Chapter 1
Payment of Tour Fee ($9)
Week 3
January 25
Penitentiaries and Philosophies
Reading – Chapter 6
Week 4
February 2
Carleton County Gaol Crime and
Punishment Tour
Week 5
February 8
Provincial and Federal Corrections
Tour on Wednesday,
February 2 – more info in
class
Reading – Chapter 5
Week 6
February 15
Mid-Term Test
Week 7
March 1
STUDY BREAK
Prison Life…
Reading – Chapter 7
Week 8
March 8
Prisoners’ Rights
Reading – Chapter 8
Correctional Philosophies
Paper Due
3
Week 9
March 15
Programming and Treatment in
Corrections
Reading – Chapter 11
Week 10
March 22
Conditional Release / Parole
Reading – Chapter 12
Week 11
March 29
Community Corrections
Reading – Chapter 13
Week 12
April 5
Community Corrections
Reading – Chapter 13
Tour Paper Due
Tour on Thursday – more
info in class
Week 13
April 14
Kingston Federal Institutions Tour
Week 14
April 19
Exam Review
Week 15
April 26
Final Exam
4