Issues that typically face the adult male prisoner also face the woman and juvenile prisoner.
The Male Prisoner
Although much has changed in the prison system over the years, there are still many areas that need improvement -- especially among the male inmate population. In this course, we will discuss the different types of prisoners and the special groups that include sex offenders, prisoners with AIDS, long-term prisoners, and the elderly and how they interact together in a prison environment. Who has hierarchy? How do corrections officers try to control gangs? With so much testosterone in one space, aggressive reactions are the norm. We will also look at different kinds of reactions to life behind bars besides one of aggressive nature including collective reactions, self-satisfying reactions, legalistic reactions, withdrawal reactions and positive reactions.
The Female Prisoner
There are considerably fewer women behind bars than men, but they too must learn to deal with their new life behind bars. Women inmates have been nicknamed the “forgotten criminal” because so much emphasis is placed on male inmates and the females often fall under the radar. Women, like men, also deal with the harsh realities of prison by lashing out aggressively or withdrawing into themselves completely. How do women react to prison differently than men? We will also examine the history of women’s prisons and how families cope when a wife and mother is locked up. How does society view women behind bars? Students will also have the opportunity to discuss the controversial issue of women on death row, the social aspects of prison and special issues females face including women who’ve suffered from sexual abuse and motherhood.
The Juvenile Offender
Juvenile offenders have been an issue in society long before James Dean rebelled against his parents in "Rebel Without A Cause." When does normal teenage lashing out become criminal? How long is too long for a young person to be behind bars? Should juveniles receive lighter sentences – no matter what the crime – because they are just that – juveniles? You will discuss the history of juvenile justice and juvenile corrections in the U.S. and how the juvenile justice system functions through identifying its stages and by comparing it with the adult justice system. What tactics work better on young inmates as opposed to grown men and women? Are incarcerated juveniles less likely to commit crimes once they’re out of the system? We will also discuss special issues in the field of juvenile corrections including racial inequality, the spread of drug trafficking gangs, and the impact of juvenile institutionalization.
There are people from all walks of life in prison – you’d be surprised by some of the people you’ll find behind bars. As a correctional professional you will have to learn to deal with all these individuals, help them and make the prison environment a safe place for yourself and the people under your care.
By the end of this course, you will know that violence among various prison groups occurs on a regular basis within the prison system, prison social cultures contribute to the stress experienced by male prisoners and gangs greatly add to prison disorder.
You will also discuss why female prisoners are often called the "forgotten criminal" and how prison culture for women presents a unique set of concerns that differ from a male inmate.
You will also have a better understanding of the juvenile corrections system, their mission, and the different tactics they use to correct the behavior of law-violating juveniles.