Overview
The final project for this course is the creation of a final research paper. This will be an in-depth analysis of problems and solutions in correctional systems. It will draw from the concepts learned throughout the course via text readings, additional assigned readings, discussions, and exploratory activities. You will be required to identify a specific issue or problem, either recurring or emerging, within the correctional system (e.g., overcrowding, gender issues, race/ethnicity issues, violence, riots, gangs, prisoners’ rights, the death penalty, juvenile incarceration, inadequate program evaluation practice). Based on the knowledge obtained in this course and previous course work, examine what new contexts you can create as a correctional officer to tackle challenges in correctional systems. The project is divided into two milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Three and Five, and the final paper will be due in Module 7.
Outcomes
The research paper helps students meet the following course outcomes:
- Identify the challenges of parole and prisoner reentry
- Explain the challenges of working in and managing a prison
- Analyze the current and future issues of corrections
Guidelines
Your paper should be five to six pages in length. It should be well organized and include an introduction, main elements, and a reference page. The paper should reflect high-quality research and reasoning in addressing each of the following components of the paper:
- The situational, organizational, and environmental context of the issue or question (background)
- The challenge(s) and/or problem(s) inherently associated with the issue or question (identification of the problem)
- Your examination, evaluation, and analysis of the issue or question (analysis)
- Decisions and actions necessary by policymakers and government leaders to deal with the issue or question (recommendations)
- Your critical assessment and recommendations based on text readings, scholarly research, and personal experience
Milestones
Final Submission: Final Research Paper
In task 7-2, you will submit your final research paper. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the main elements of the final product. It should reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course. This milestone will be graded using the Final Project Rubric.
What to Submit
Written components of projects must follow these formatting guidelines: double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, one-inch margins, and discipline-appropriate citations. The final paper should be five to six pages in length, not including the cover page and resources.