AJ 137: Legal Aspects of Corrections

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 legal framework, concepts, and precedents that guide correctional practice. Course material will broaden the individual's perspective of the corrections environment, the civil rights of prisoners, and responsibilities and liabilities of corrections officials. 54 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • explain legal and ethical responsibilities and liabilities applicable to Corrections.
  • improve decision making abilities in job environment
  • articulate the reasoning of the court mandates behind the management of confinement
  • analyze the legal framework within which the incarceration process operates on a daily basis

Major Course Content

  1. An Introduction to the Law and the Legal Aspects of Corrections Management
  2. Management of Corrections and the Criminal Justice System
  3. Habeas Corpus, Torts, and Section 1983
  4. Going to Court
  5. A General View of Prisoner Rights Under the Constitution 
  6. Access to Courts
  7. First Amendment: Inmate Mail
  8. First Amendment: Inmate Association Rights and Visiting
  9. First Amendment: Inmate Religion
  10. Fourth Amendment: Search and Seizure, and Privacy
  11. Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments: Due Process and Inmate Discipline
  12. Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments: Due Process, Classification, Transfers, Personal Injuries, and Property Loss
  13. Fourteenth Amendment: Equal Protection - Female Offenders and Others
  14. Eight Amendment; The Death Penalty and Other Sentencing Issues
  15. Eight Amendment; Conditions of Confinement - Cruel and Unusual Punishment
  16. Eight Amendment: Health Care
  17. Probation and Parole, Community Corrections, and Fines
  18. Statutory and Administrative Law
  19. Federal Statutes: Equal Employment, Disabilities, and Tort Claims
  20. Jails
  21. Juveniles and Young Offenders
  22. Privatization Issues in Corrections
  23. Loss of Rights of Convicted Persons
  24. In Conclusion: A Postscript

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Peace Officer's Procedural Bill of Rights
Review California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation website regarding the capital punishment and current legal issues
Review printed or electronic versions of regional or national newspapers or websites to identify contemporary issues in correctional law

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Students will prepare a three to four page report in APA format discussing the purposes and effects of punishment or a comprehensive view of conditions of confinement versus community standards

Examples of Outside Assignments

Read text materials Write reviews of video material Study for exams and quizzes Conduct research regarding contemporary

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Online Education Lecture