Sociology 340 - Probation & Parole

This course will explore the role that community supervision plays in the U.S. Criminal Justice System. The course will span the evolution of probation services from the 19th Century father of probation, John Augustus, to the modern day focus on evidence-based practices supervision. Likewise, the history of parole will be explored from its origin in England and Ireland to its current practice in community corrections. We will also focus on the federal probation system, which is practiced across the United States and its territories. A question that we'll try to answer is how can probation be viewed as an alternative to jail if our correctional facilities are filled with probation violators. And if the push is to reduce the rate of incarceration in the United States, are the courts and probation officers equipped with sufficient alternatives to jail when faced with non-compliant offenders.

100-level SOCIOL course An introductory sociology course is recommended.