Catalog Description

Hours: 54 lecture
Description: Provides an overview of Probation, Parole, and Supervised Release, as well as a modern-day comparison of each type of Correctional supervision. The coursework highlights tasks associated with pre-sentence investigations and supervision as well as the requirements and challenges of delivering purposeful, individualized, proportional, multidimensional, proactive, and responsive supervision that contributes to successful re-entry into society. This course also provides a combination of relevant course readings, interactive lesson plans, scenario-based exercises, and arranged courtroom and in-field experiences. (CSU)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Describe legal, jurisdictional, and methodological similarities and differences between probation, parole and supervised release.
  • CSLO #2: Compare and contrast the types of criminal supervision caseloads including but not limited to supervision requirements, authority, and jurisdiction.
  • CSLO #3: Identify the importance of enforcing the conditions of supervision, protecting the community and assisting the offender to have a successful supervision outcome.
  • CSLO #4: Analyze and discuss the efficacy of agency policies governing officer safety, training, equipment, integrity, and effective, proportionate, multidimensional, proactive and responsive supervision methods and ideologies.

Effective Term

Fall 2025

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

54

Outside of Class Hours

108

Total Student Learning Hours

162

Course Objectives

  1. Identify and analyze the challenges and complexities of supervising various types of criminal cases such as white collar, drugs, weapons, criminal gang, sex offender, fraud, computer crimes, and financial cases.
  2. Observe and participate in classroom exercises simulating the application of supervision methods and strategies, such as reviewing supervision conditions, non-compliance meetings, and treatment referrals.
  3. Identify and analyze the challenges of effectively supervising individuals of various races, ethnicities, generations, gender, and/or non-English speaking populations.
  4. Identify, analyze and develop strategies to address non-compliance, e.g., new arrest, drug use, possession of child pornography, repetitious technical violations such as lying, failure to report, absconding, willful failure to pay restitution, fine or complete community service work.
  5. Analyze and discuss the efficacy of agency policies governing officer safety, training, equipment, integrity, and effective, proportionate, multidimensional, proactive and responsive supervision methods and ideologies.
  6. Describe the key components of and purposes for the pre-sentence investigation and supervision violation report process required by the each respective jurisdiction.

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
      • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
        • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)

          Articulation Information

          • CSU Transferable

          Methods of Evaluation

          • Classroom Discussions
            • Example: Engage in small group classroom discussions on topics such as Post Release Community Supervision and its effects on recidivism
          • Essay Examinations
            • Example: Students will be evaluated based on the accuracy and thoroughness of their responses.
          • Objective Examinations
            • Example: Students will identify and/or explain the importance of key post-conviction supervision reports through a multi-faceted exam that will require them to distinguish the difference between a pre-sentence report and a violation of probation report.
          • Problem Solving Examinations
            • Example: textbook exercises
          • Skill Demonstrations
            • Example: Participate in classroom interactive/scenario based practice sessions relating to duties, challenges, and assorted community supervision tasks such as de-escalation techniques and post conviction interviews.

          Repeatable

          No

          Methods of Instruction

          • Lecture/Discussion
          • Distance Learning

          Lecture:

          1. Using textbook material, lecture materials, PowerPoint slides and videos, Instructor will lead class discussion to explore the similarities and differences in each of the primary forms of post-conviction supervision

          Distance Learning

          1. Students will participate in online discussions debating relevant topics, issues, and policies and procedures and develop plans for incorporating or eliminating ideas they deem problematic or essential.

          Typical Out of Class Assignments

          Reading Assignments

          Students will be required to read the short story Who Moved my Cheese by Spencer Johnson, and explain the authors view of changing work environment and how individuals react and adjust to these changes. Read assigned news articles and other professional publications and prepare for in-class discussions of same. Respond to any assigned Discussion Boards concerning assigned reading materials (including assignments listed under #2)

          Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

          Prepare, share and discuss with classmates writing assignments concerning pre-sentence investigation and/or supervision violation reports and offer sentencing recomendations. Engage in small group classroom discussions on relevant problem-solving issues and deliver post-discussion verbal or written solutions. Participate in classroom interactive/scenario-based practice sessions relating to duties, challenges and assorted community supervision tasks. If arranged, observe a Court ordered violation hearing and provide written feedback concerning the overall experience and its relevance. If arranged, participate in a ride along assignment with a supervision officer and prepare a written report summarizing the experience and its relevance. Prepare, share, and discuss with classmates, writing assignments concerning presentence investigation and/or supervision violation reports and offer sentencing recommendations.

          Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

          If available and arranged, participate in a ride along assignment with a supervision officer and prepare a written report summarizing the experience and its relevance to the course.

          Required Materials

          • Essentials of Community Corrections
            • Author: Robert D. Hanser
            • Publisher: Sage
            • Publication Date: 2019
            • Text Edition: First
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:

          Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.