Professor Byrne – Spring 2005

Community Corrections Term Paper Guidelines

 

Description: Community Corrections (30% of final grade)

            Due Date: Outline with references, March 24; Final paper, April 28

            Format: APA Style

            Length: 10 pages (standard margins, not including references, appendices, and attachments)

 

Step 1: Select a topic from the following areas

(1)    Traditional probation (federal or state)

(2)    Traditional parole (state)

(3)    Day reporting centers

(4)    Electronic monitoring programs

(5)    Police-probation partnerships

(6)    Police-parole partnerships

(7)    Intensive probation supervision programs

(8)    Residential community corrections programs (e.g., for sex offenders, drug/alcohol dependent offenders, multiple-problem offender – adult or juvenile)

(9)    Diversion programs

(10)     Day fines

(11)     Boot camps

 

Step 2: Describe a specific community corrections program by collecting background information on the program, using available library resources and (if possible) a site visit to the selected program.

 

Step 3: Conduct a review of the research on the effectiveness of the program type you have selected for review.  (Note: For starters, examine the web-based links from my website that my wonderful TA has compiled, and then review the major criminal justice journal articles published since 1980 on this topic area)

 

Step 4: Write your final paper using the following general subheadings as a guide:

 

            Introduction and overview of the paper

            Section 1: A description of the community corrections program selected, including:

1.      Purpose of the program

2.      A brief history

3.      Target population/selection criteria

4.      Staff qualifications and key program features

5.      A day in the life?  Describe a “typical” day in the program and walk a case though the system.

6.      Your perceptions of the program (from site visit, if applicable)

            Section 2: A review of the research on program effectiveness

1.      Define your program review criteria

2.      Identify the number/type of research studies included in your review

3.      Summarize the results of your research review

 

            Section 3: Conclusions and recommendations. Based on your review of one specific community corrections program and your research review, what (if anything) would you change about this program? (e.g., staff, resources, location, technology, policies/procedures, target population, selection criteria, etc.)

 

 

March 24: Due date 1: A one-page outline is due, identifying the topic chosen, site visit location (if applicable) and at least 10 key references to be used in section 2 (research review).

 

April 28: Final paper is due: Late papers are “down-graded” ˝ grade for every day late, so plan ahead and “get it done” on time.