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A Michigan Prison
CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS & FACILITIES
CJ 135
This class is usually known as "the prison tour class" because we do,
in fact, tour several Michigan correctional institutions and facilities.
I prefer to think of this class as the "corrections operations class" because
the content of the class is a substantive, "meat and potatos" view of what
goes on in a prison and what a correctional officer does. Please
view the requirements for institutional
tours, to ensure you meet the criteria and will not be refused admission
to the correctional facilities we tour. Photos
from previous tours are linked here.
Instructed by Michele
Whitaker in the Fall and Winter semesters.
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Activities from class--prisoner searches and restraints
AVAILABILITY OUTSIDE OF CLASS:
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e-mail: emwhitak@delta.edu
(for school-related communication only-please do not send jokes)
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fax.: (989) 667-2211
Page Contents:
CJ 135 SYLLABUS
Contents:
COURSE TEXTS:
A) Silverman Ira J. & Vega, Manuel.
(2000). Corrections: A comprehensive view.
West Publishing Co: Minneapolis, MN.
B) Miller, Tekla. (1996). The
Warden Wore Pink. Biddle Publishing Company: Brunswick,
Maine
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
To provide the student with an accurate, detailed account of the development
of correctional practices and of contemporary corrections in terms of its
present structure, clients, management and personnel, programs, various
types of institutions, jurisdictions and the operational duties of the
corrections officer.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
A) EXAMINATIONS:
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A mid-term and a final examination will be given on the dates specified.
The final exam is not cumulative.
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Examinations will be some combination of objective and subjective (essay)
questions.
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No make up will be permitted on missed exams.
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To gain first-hand knowledge of a wide variety of correctional facilities,
several institutional tours will be scheduled. All tours are mandatory
and students will be responsible for arranging their own transportation
to and from each facility if a college vehicle is not used.
(Active C.O.s may choose an alternate assignment, if desired).
Students will be required to submit subjective tour assessment papers of
at least 2 pages for all tours.
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Students will be required to submit subjective impression papers of
2 pages for institutional tours. Students unable to attend any of
the specified dates should advise the instructor the first night of class.
(See criteria sheet)
C) "THE WARDEN WORE PINK" BOOK EXAMINATION:
Students will be required to complete a comprehensive exam on the book,
"The Warden Wore Pink". This exam will be an out-of-class examination
taken at the testing center at the student's convenience BEFORE the date
scheduled on your in-class syllabus.
D) IN-CLASS PARTICIPATION ASSIGNMENTS: Credit can
only be attained through participation. There is no make-up option
for participation assignments.
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Campus Familiarization Assignment: In-class "scavenger
hunt" for key campus locations.
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Computer Log-on Assignment: In class exploration of important
websites for Corrections Officers
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Cell-Searches: In-class mock prison cell searches, designed
to develop security-focused thinking.
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Restraints & Prisoner Searches: In-class discussion
and use of mechanical restraints and proper techniques for prisoner searches.
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Ethics: In-class lecture, video and oral & written
discussion on ethics in corrections.
E) ATTENDANCE:
As part of the grade, students are required to attend class, to be prompt
and to respect the learning atmosphere.
GRADING:
A) Examinations will make up 30% of the overall grade.
B) Tour Assessment Papers, based on tour attendance, will make
up 30% of the overall grade.
C) The in-Class Participation Assignments will make up 15%
of the overall grade.
D) The "Warden Wore Pink" Book Exam will make up 15% of the
overall grade.
E) Attendance will make up 10% of the overall grade.
F) Grading will be done on a straight scale:
90-100%....A
80-89%...B
70-79%...C
60-69%...D
Below 60%..Failing
G) Mid-term grades will be based upon any exams, group sessions,
and assignments prior to that date.
MAKE-UP EXAMINATIONS:
No make up will be permitted on missed exams. Students anticipating
logistical problems with examination dates must contact the instructor
in advance.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
CHEATING or DISHONESTY of ANY KIND will NOT
be tolerated. Any student found cheating will receive a failing grade
on that exam or assignment and may be subject to expulsion from the course.
Students are expected to do their own work. Submitting the work of
another person as your own is cheating.
Unexcused absences, tardiness or class disruptions will be penalized,
as
in the workplace. Unexcused absences are penalized 10 points per occurrence;
unexcused tardiness are penalized 5 points per occurrence; class disruptions
are penalized 5 points per occurrence. Class begins at precisely
the scheduled time, based upon the clock in the classroom-students arriving
after will be considered late. Cell phones or pagers going off in
class, or wandering in & out of, or around the classroom while class
is in session are all considered as disruptions. A sign-in sheet
will be passed each class period; it is the student's responsibility
to sign in each class meeting. Students with perfect attendance
and no tardiness will be awarded 10 bonus points for attendance
at the semester's end.
a razorblade hidden in a book
READING ASSIGNMENTS:
Students are responsible for reading assigned text material. Normally
lectures will not duplicate readings, but will instead augment readings
with additional material specifically germane to appropriate topics identified
on the syllabus course outline.
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In order to meet the MDOC requirements for security clearance
for the prison tours, students must pass a LEIN check. Students who
who have been convicted of a felony, who have pending felony or misdemeanor
charges (includes deferred sentences), or who have a controlled substance
violation in any jurisdiction, including military controlled substance-related
discharges, or who have been convicted of any misdemeanor and are still
on probation or who have been convicted of domestic violence will
not be permitted entrance into the correctional facilities, pursuant
to MDOC policy, nor will they be hired by MDOC.
NOTE:
Students who do not meet the above criteria should not be enrolled
in this course until they have resolved their issues.
DRESS CODE FOR CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES TOURS IN COMPLIANCE WITH MICHIGAN
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
(FROM MDOC "VISITING INFORMATION" REVISED 09/21/98)
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Visitors must be fully dressed in clean clothes that are in good repair.
Visitors shall not exchange or give any part of their attire to a prisoner.
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Outer garments such as winter coats, headgear, gloves or outer boots are
not allowed. Blazers, suit coats and jackets to jogging suits are
permissible (visitors may wear religious headgear.understanding that staff
has the right and business need to search and inspect these items at any
time.)
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Clothing such as tube and halter tops, shorts more than 5 inches above
the knee, and skirts, dresses, "skorts", or culottes more than 3 inches
above the knee are not allowed.
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Clothing which displays obscene, inflammatory and gang-related words, symbols,
gestures or pictures are not allowed.
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Breasts, back, midriffs, buttocks and genital areas or undergarments shall
not be exposed in any manner either by bare flesh showing or through transparent
or see-through clothing. Undergarments (i.e. bra and underpants)
must be worn while visiting.
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Tank and sleeveless tops may be allowed if all of the criteria of this
section are met. The armholes must not be fashioned in a manner that
would expose underclothing or breasts. (The tour coordinator strongly
discourages the wearing of these items, to ensure admittance to the facility)
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Extreme form-fitting clothing that might be considered "second skin", i.e.
running tights, leggings, unitards and catsuits (not all inclusive) must
be covered with clothing that would ensure that breasts, genitals and buttocks
areas of that clothing are not showing.
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Extremely loose clothing is not allowed.
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Footwear must be worn at all times.
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When necessary, the shift commander will make the final decision with regard
to visitor attire.
FOR CJ 135 STUDENTS:
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Please remember that we are invited guests to each facility and conduct
yourself appropriately.
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Car-pooling is encouraged, for purposes of parking at the institution,
as well as economic considerations for the student (remember to offer the
driver some gas $$), if a college van is not used for transportation.
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BE ON TIME!!! ONCE THE TOUR STARTS, LATE ARRIVALS WILL NOT BE
ADMITTED
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It is strongly suggested that students that you remove your earrings
or wear only stud-style.
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Please do not chew gum. Prisoners may use discarded gum to jam
locking devices with.
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Bring ONLY your picture identification and car keys with you into the
facility; leave ALL money, wallets, purses, jewelry, textbooks, pens
or pencils or any other items in your vehicle. Lockable lockers are
furnished by the institution for the purpose of securing your car keys
or other small items.
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Please ensure that you have complied with the MDOC visitor dress code;
failure to do so may exclude you from touring the facility thereby affecting
your grade. Semi-professional attire and sturdy shoes are suggested.
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ALL PERSONS WILL BE SEARCHED BEFORE BEING ADMITTED TO THE FACILITY
Michigan
Reformatory in Ionia @ 1930
Michigan Reformatory in Ionia
PHOTOS FROM PREVIOUS TOURS:
Saginaw
County Jail Tour Photos
Saginaw Correctional
Facility Tour Photos
Michigan Reformatory
Tour Photos
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RECOMMENDED BOOKS AND VIDEOS
BOOKS:
VIDEOS:
return to top
return to assignments
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