AJ 136: Correctional Interviewing and Counseling

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2025
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 54
Lecture Hours : 54
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 108
Total Student Learning Hours: 162
Strongly Recommended: ENGL C1000.
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: No
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

The techniques in counseling and interviewing available to practitioners in corrections. The student will learn the use of appropriate techniques and theories in confidence building which may be used by the correctional employee in client interviews and counseling. 54 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • Demonstrate understanding of group communication dynamics
  • Demonstrate the ability to conduct an interview
  • Discuss various kinds of intervention/counseling techniques
  • Demonstrate and explain the development of roles and responsibilities of clients and staff
  • Identify obstacles that complicate the task of conducting objective interviews and counseling

Major Course Content

  1. The Process of Correctional Counseling and Treatment
  2. Understanding the Special Challenges Faced by the Correctional Counselor in the Prison Setting
  3. Community Corrections Officers as Change Agents
  4. Correctional Treatment: Accomplishments and Realities
  5. Assessment and Diagnosis of Correctional Clients
  6. An Overview of Correctional Classification Systems
  7. Case Planning and Case Management
  8. Behavioral Interventions
  9. Cognitive Interventions
  10. Social Learning Interventions
  11. Family Interventions
  12. Treating Clients with Substance Abuse
  13. Treating System- Involved Women
  14. Treating Clients who Commit Sex Offenses
  15. Treating Clients with Severe Antisocial Behavior and Psychopathy

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Review Title 15 - Inmate Classification System at www.cdcr.ca.gov

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Prepare a four to five page report in APA format researching typical psychiatric conditions, associative personality disorders and/or syndromes that are often seen in correctional environments with offenders; describe typical symptoms and the effects of treatment, and common treatment approaches.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Read text material Prepare for class discussions Study for quizzes and exams Prepare written reports Complete extra credit material

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Online Education Lecture