Convict Criminology

Catalog description

Convict Criminology is the study of crime and the advancement of criminological ideas and contributions originating from the first-hand experiences of convicts/ex-convicts. Convict criminologists are primarily current or former criminal justice system-involved individuals who have pursued and achieved advanced degrees and are actively researching relevant criminal justice issues. In addition to fully defining convict criminology as a school of thought, this course will explore the history, development, and current and future place of convict criminology in the overall criminology field. The course will identify key convict criminology writings and research and will include a comparative review of traditional versus convict criminological approaches and how differing motivations and priorities have impact on the incarcerated, and the current system responses to them. Students will identify, document and analyze other ways of hearing the convict perspective and voice to see if this convict view can offer additional insight on how to address those in confinement and perhaps suggest solutions to a broad range of criminal justice system questions. Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors ONLY.