Classifications and Typologies
Project description
Overview:
The main text authors note that every offender assigned to corrections is unique. In referring to types of offenders, however, they choose to group individuals because of shared characteristics. Further, the enactment of legislation and case law will also affect the categorizing of offender types.
Although this approach simplifies policy making, prosecution, sentencing, and correctional programming, it bears little resemblance to reality. Therein lays the peril of grouping offenders: If we forget that grouping is done only to enable correctional officials to take action, we will inevitably distort the portraits of individual offenders. Criminal categories will therefore contain inconsistencies within groups of offenders with whom corrections must work.
To combat ambiguities in classification, correctional administrators have started using classification systems. These systems apply a set of objective criteria to all in-mates in order to arrive at an appropriate classification for each. The criteria usually include such factors as current and prior offense histories, previous experiences in the justice system, and substance abuse patterns. By using objective criteria, these systems reduce the unreliability of the offender’s classification status, and by limiting the criteria to a few relevant facts, the systems avoid overlap. In this Section, we will evaluate the utility of correctional laws and the use of typologies and classifications.
Assignment: PowerPoint Presentation-Classifications and Typologies
To better understand current perspectives in corrections, Learners need to fully evaluate and weigh typologies and classifications of offenders. Develop a PowerPoint presentation that compares and contrasts classifications and typologies identified and discussed in in the text. Which of these categories or behaviors are of particular concern in Ohio? Include 3 to 4 references from peer reviewed sources within the last 5 years.
Incorporate appropriate animations, transitions, and graphics as well as speaker notes for each slide. The speaker notes may be comprised of brief paragraphs or bulleted lists.
