Overview

This unit aims to provide students with an analytical overview of criminology and corrections. Students will gain a critical understanding of the breadth of the field of corrections and criminology as well as evaluate how theoretical models are used in the development of research and programming within corrections. This course will explore the high imprisonment rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons including the underlying factors that contribute to higher rates of offending and the structural bias or discriminatory practices within the justice system itself.

Requisites

Prerequisites
CRI30002 Corrections: Systems and Practice

Rule for CRI30002
100 credit points

Equivalent
HAY340 - Corrections: Systems and Practice; SHAY340 - Corrections: Systems and Practice

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
29-July-2024
27-October-2024
Last self-enrolment date
11-August-2024
Census date
31-August-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
13-September-2024
Results released date
03-December-2024
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
04-August-2025
02-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-August-2025
Census date
31-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Analyse the principles of corrections within the criminal justice system using a range of standpoints
  • Critically examine the theories and principles of criminology related to corrections
  • Critically analyse the strengths and weaknesses of correctional practice for those populations overrepresented in corrections
  • Critique corrective service actions privileging the voices of those overrepresented in corrections
  • Evaluate the various research methods and ethics employed by corrections agents

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Online
Lecture
1.00 12 weeks 12
On-campus
Class
2.00 12 weeks 24
Specified Activities
Various
2.00 12 weeks 24
Unspecified Activities
Various
7.50 12 weeks 90
TOTAL150

Swinburne Online

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Live Online
Class
3.00 12 weeks 36
Online
Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning
9.50 12 weeks 114
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
AssessmentIndividual 25% 1,2 
Case StudyIndividual 30% 1,2,3,4 
EssayIndividual 45% 2,3,4,5 

Content

  • History of corrections in Australia including on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
  • The history of native policing and the application of Indigenous laws in past and present societies
  • The organisational structure and systems of corrections
  • Corrections, the law, and the constitution
  • The role of corrections in modern society
  • Correctional issues in Australia, including Aboriginal deaths in custody. 
  • Correctional training and performance
  • Corrections and statistics
  • Professional standards and ethics, including cultural competencies needed to work with diverse populations.
  • Ongoing and emerging local and global debated in prison systems
  • The future of corrections in Australia

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.