DEVELOPING EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR A VARIETY OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE CONSTITUENCIES

• NCJ Number: 63375
• Journal: Journal of Correctional Education Volume: 30 Issue: 3 Pages: 7-13
• Author(s): E A BRAWLEY
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: Correctional Education Assoc
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF PHILADELPHIA'S PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SPECIALIZED COURSES FOR THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF VARIOUS CRIMINAL JUSTICE PERSONNEL ARE DESCRIBED, ALONG WITH EVALUATION RESULTS.

Abstract

IN 1969, THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF PHILADELPHIA INTRODUCED A 2-YEAR DEGREE AND 1-YEAR CERTIFICATE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS WITH A LAW ENFORCEMENT EMPHASIS. DUE TO THE PARTICIPATION IN THE CURRICULUM OF A BROAD RANGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE PERSONNEL, THE COLLEGE UNDERTOOK IN 1973 TO DEVELOP COURSES TO MEET THE SPECIALIZED TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF CORRECTIONS PERSONNEL. A 2-YEAR GRANT FROM THE WILLIAM PENN FOUNDATION COVERED THE COST OF (1) A FULL-TIME PROJECT DIRECTOR, (2) CONSULTANTS TO HELP DEVELOP SPECIALIZED COURSE CONTENT AND TRAINING EXPERIENCES, (3) EXPERT ADJUNCT INSTRUCTORS OR GUEST LECTURERS TO TEACH SPECIALIZED SUBJECT MATTER, (4) TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS FOR EMPLOYED CORRECTIONS PERSONNEL TO ENCOURAGE THEIR INITIAL PARTICIPATION, (5) PROMOTIONAL AND PUBLIC INFORMATION MATERIALS ON THE PROGRAMS DEVELOPED, AND (6) NECESSARY SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR THE PROJECT. COURSES WERE DEVELOPED ON THE BASIS OF EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CORRECTIONAL ORGANIZATIONS WHOSE PERSONNEL WERE TO BE CURRICULUM PARTICIPANTS. AREAS COVERED BY THE VARIOUS TRAINING PROGRAMS INCLUDED HUMAN BEHAVIOR, CRISIS INTERVENTION, COMMUNITY CHANGE, CORRECTIONS, COMMUNICATION SKILLS, VALUES CLARIFICATION, FAMILY SYSTEMS, JUVENILE JUSTICE, HUMAN SEXUALITY, PROBATION AND PAROLE, AND SUPERVISORY SKILLS. SURVEYS OF STUDENTS WHO COMPLETED THE COURSES AND ADMINISTRATORS WHO OBSERVED CHANGES IN JOB PERFORMANCE AFTER PERSONNEL COMPLETED THE COURSES INDICATED THAT THE COURSES HAD BENEFICIAL EFFECTS UPON JOB PERFORMANCE AND STAFF MORALE. SPECIALIZED COURSES WERE ALSO SIMILARLY DEVELOPED FOR YOUTH SERVICE WORKERS, POLICE OFFICERS, AND PRIVATE SECURITY GUARDS. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)