AJ 137: Legal Aspects of Corrections

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Spring 2024
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 101.
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: No
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

The historical 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. Introduction to Sentencing
  2. Guilty Pleas and Plea Bargaining
  3. The Sentencing Process
  4. Sentencing Statutes and Guidelines
  5. Community-Based Sanctions
  6. The Death Penalty
  7. Cruel and Unusual Punishment and Noncapital Cases
  8. Prisoners' Rights: An Introduction
  9. First Amendment Rights
  10. Right of Access to the Courts
  11. Prison Disciplinary Proceedings
  12. Classification, Transfers, and Withholding of Privileges
  13. Searches, Seizures and Privacy Rights
  14. Due Process Claims for Personal Injuries and Property Deprivations
  15. Restrictions on Inmate Labor
  16. Cruel and Unusual Punishment
  17. Parole Release and Probation and Parole Revocation
  18. Rights Upon Release
  19. The Mechanics of Litigating Inmates 1983 Suits
  20. Remedies

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 five to seven 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