Spring 2026
Correctional Systems & Practices
Approved: TS 1/6/26 Correctional Systems & Practices (CRIJ 2313) CREDIT 3 Semester Credit Hours (3 hours lecture, 0 hours lab) MODE OF INSTRUCTION Face to Face PREREQUISITE/CO-REQUISITE: NONE COURSE DESCRIPTION This course is a survey of institutional and non-institutional corrections. Emphasis will be placed on the organization and operation of correctional systems; treatment and rehabilitation; populations served; Constitutional issues; and current and future issues. COURSE OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to 1. Describe the organization and operation of correctional systems and alternatives to institutionalization. 2. Describe treatment and rehabilitative programs. 3. Differentiate between the short-term incarceration and long-term institutional environments. 4. Evaluate current and future correctional issues. 5. Identify the Constitutional rights applicable to the correctional setting. INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION Instructor: Trazarra Stelly Email: tnstelly@lit.edu Office Phone: 409-247-5224 Office Location: Technology Center (TC) #212 Office Hours: Virtual Appointments are available by appointment only. Monday- Friday (Flexible Times). Schedule appointments via Starfish. REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS Corrections in America: An Introduction, 15th edition; By Harry E. Allen, Edward J. Latessa, and Bruce S. Ponder. ISBN 9780134762654 ATTENDANCE POLICY This is a face-to-face course. Students are required to attend classes. Class attendance counts toward your discussion grade. Your discussion grade is worth 20% of your final class average (see course evaluation below). 3 unexcused absences will result in automatic failure of the course. DROP POLICY If you wish to drop a course, you are responsible for initiating and completing the drop process. If you stop coming to class and fail to drop the course, you will earn an “F” in the course. COURSE CALENDAR DATE TOPIC READINGS (Due on this Date) ASSIGNMENTS (Due on this Date) Submission Deadline is BEFORE 10PM. 1/20-1/24 Introduction Week 1/22: Syllabus Review 1/22: Syllabus Bingo (In Class) 1/24: • Introduction Assignment • Syllabus Quiz 1/25-1/31 Part 1: Historical Perspective 1/27: • Chapter 1- Early History (2000 B.C to A.D. 1800) • Chapter 2- Prisons (1800 to the Present) 2/1-2/7 2/3: • Chapter 3- Correctional Ideologies: The Pendulum Swings • Chapter 4- The Sentencing and Appeals Process 2/7: • Part 1 Assignment • Part 1 Quiz: Chapters 1-4 2/8-2/14 Part 2: Alternatives to Imprisonment 2/10: • Chapter 5- Probation 2/15-2/21 2/17: • Chapter 6- Diversion and Intermediate Sanctions 2/21: • Part 2 Assignment • Part 2 Quiz: Chapters 5-6 2/22-2/28 Part 3: Institutional Corrections 2/24: • Chapter 7- Custody Functions • Chapter 8- Security Threat Groups and Prison Gangs 2/28: • Final Project Topic Selection 3/1-3/7 3/3: • Chapter 9- Management and Treatment Functions 3/7: • Part 3 Assignment 1 3/8-3/14 Spring Break Spring Break Spring Break 3/15-3/21 3/17: • Chapter 10- Jails and Detention Facilities • Chapter 11- Prisons Systems 3/22-3/28 3/24: • Chapter 12- Private Sector Systems • Chapter 13- The Death Penalty 3/28: • Part 3 Assignment 2 3/29-4/4 3/31: • Chapter 14- Parole and Reentry 4/4: • Part 3 Quiz: Chapters 7-14 4/5-4/11 Part 4: Correctional Clients 4/7: • Chapter 15- Appeals and Offender Rights 4/12-4/18 4/14: • Chapter 16- Male Offenders • Chapter 17- Female Offenders 4/18: • Part 4 Assignment 4/19-4/25 4/21: • Chapter 18- Juvenile Offenders and Facilities • Chapter 19- Special Category Offenders 4/25: • Part 4 Quiz: Chapters 15-19 4/26-5/2 4/26: All presentations due in Blackboard by 10:00 p.m. 4/28: Final Presentation Day 1 4/30: Final Presentation Day 2 5/3-5/9 5/5: Final Presentation Day 3 5/10-5/14 5/11: Final Grades Submitted COURSE EVALUATION Final grades will be calculated according to the following criteria: • Assignments 35% • Discussions 20% • Exams 25% • Course Project 20% GRADE SCALE • 90-100 A • 80-89 B • 70-79 C • 60-69 D • 0-59 F TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS The latest technical requirements, including hardware, compatible browsers, operating systems, etc. can be online at https://lit.edu/online-learning/online-learning-minimum-computer-requirements. A functional broadband internet connection, such as DSL, cable, or WiFi is necessary to maximize the use of online technology and resources. DISABILITIES STATEMENT The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are federal anti-discrimination statutes that provide comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. LIT provides reasonable accommodations as defined in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, to students with a diagnosed disability. The Special Populations Office is located in the Eagles’ Nest Room 129 and helps foster a supportive and inclusive educational environment by maintaining partnerships with faculty and staff, as well as promoting awareness among all members of the Lamar Institute of Technology community. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Special Populations Coordinator at (409)-951-5708 or email specialpopulations@lit.edu. You may also visit the online resource at Special Populations - Lamar Institute of Technology (lit.edu). STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT STATEMENT It is the responsibility of all registered Lamar Institute of Technology students to access, read, understand and abide by all published policies, regulations, and procedures listed in the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook. The LIT Catalog and Student Handbook may be accessed at www.lit.edu. Please note that the online version of the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook supersedes all other versions of the same document. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STATEMENT Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) recognizes the recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT, have changed the landscape of many career disciplines and will impact many students in and out of the classroom. To prepare students for their selected careers, LIT desires to guide students in the ethical use of these technologies and incorporate AI into classroom instruction and assignments appropriately. Appropriate use of these technologies is at the discretion of the instructor. Students are reminded that all submitted work must be their own original work unless otherwise specified. Students should contact their instructor with any questions as to the acceptable use of AI/ChatGPT in their courses STARFISH LIT utilizes an early alert system called Starfish. Throughout the semester, you may receive emails from Starfish regarding your course grades, attendance, or academic performance. Faculty members record student attendance, raise flags and kudos to express concern or give praise, and you can make an appointment with faculty and staff all through the Starfish home page. You can also login to Blackboard or MyLIT and click on the Starfish link to view academic alerts and detailed information. It is the responsibility of the student to pay attention to these emails and information in Starfish and consider taking the recommended actions. Starfish is used to help you be a successful student at LIT. ADDITIONAL COURSE POLICIES/INFORMATION I DO NOT accept late work. All assignments are due as scheduled. There are a few exceptions but those will be discussed on a case by case basis (ex. Medical situation such as hospitalization). Preferred means of communication: Email: tnstelly@lit.edu or phone: (409) 247-5224 Communication Response Time: Expected response time for communications with instructor is 48 hours (except weekends). Grading Response Time: Assignments should be returned with grades within 1 week.