ACL7003 - Understanding Why: Pathways to Imprisonment and Desistence

Objectives:

This module will address the following programme level outcomes:
K1 a detailed knowledge and systematic understanding of the current issues and/or new insights within the Criminal Justice System (CJS), informed by contemporary scholarly resources and evidence;
K3 originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to promote rehabilitation and build effective transformative relationships;
K4 the ability to recognise the inherent variability and diversity of human functioning, including an understanding of international and cultural approaches to rehabilitation;
I1 a conceptual understanding that enables critical evaluation of current research and advanced scholarship within the field of Criminal Justice;E1 Self-management – the ability to plan and manage time; readiness to accept responsibility and improve their own performance based on feedback/reflective learning; the ability to take initiative and be proactive, flexible and resilient;
E4 Problem-solving – a capacity for critical reasoning, analysis and synthesis; a capacity for applying knowledge in practice; an ability to retrieve, analyse and evaluate information from different sources;
E5 Communication – the ability to present information clearly and appropriately, both orally and in writing, and to tailor messages to specific audiences and purposes;
E7 Application of information technology – the ability to identify and use the appropriate IT package for a given task; familiarity with word-processing, spreadsheets and file management; the ability to use the internet and email effectively;
E9 Social, cultural & civic awareness – embracement of an ethos of community and civic responsibility; an appreciation of diversity and ethical issues; an understanding of cultures and customs in the wider community.

Content:

On completion of this module, participants will demonstrate a critical understanding of the various psychological, criminological and sociological theories that underpin our understanding of pathways to imprisonment and desistance and how these contribute to the development of practice, guidance and/or policy.

Participants are encouraged throughout the module to develop their critical thinking skills, to develop confidence in engaging with relevant literature and to reflect on its application to the role of a Prison Officer. A range of conceptual and historical issues relating to the development of our understanding of pathways to imprisonment and desistance alongside a focus contemporary theories of rehabilitative practices will be studied.

Specifically, this module will cover the following core topics:

- Introduction to applied theories of pathways to imprisonment
- Desistence and strengths based approaches to rehabilitation
- Understanding mental health (including self-harm and suicide)
- Developmental pathway frameworks
- Thinking skils: Impulsivity, rationality, empathy
- Trauma-informed practice
- Managing risk and need
- Understanding specialist populations (women, young people, personality disorders, mental health, brain injury, learning disabilities, life sentence prisoners, substance misuse)
- Cognitive behavioural programmes and psychological therapies.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Summer Institute Teaching (to include a range of lectures, seminars and workshops)
Hours: 10
Intended Group Size: Typically, groups will include a mixture of whole cohort and small group teaching

Supported Online Learning
Hours: 20
Intended Group Size: 1

Regional Teaching Days
Hours: 10
Intended Group Size: Approximately 40 participants delivered across 3 regional venues (Manchester, Birmingham & London)

Guided independent study
Hours: 260

Further details relating to assessment
Summative Assessment
Literature Review: 50% of the mark for this module will be provided by a mid-semester literature review. The assessment will consist of a 3000 word literature review based on the learning objectives in module one.

Integrated Negotiated Case Study: 50% of the mark for this module will require participants to choose a case study to base their assessment on (choices will include a female, a young person, and an adult male offender). The participants’ task will be to identify the relevant contemporary research and theories which best explains the indivdiual’s behaviour and propose an intervention support plan based on this.

Formative Assessment
A range of formative assessments will take place during Summer Institute, at Regional Lecture Days, and online through the use of individual tasks, group activities and presentations to check the development of understanding using both staff and peer-to-peer feedback.

Assessment:

001 Integrated literature review; 3,000 words; mid semester 1 20%
002 Negotiated case study; 3,000 words equiv; end of semester 1 80%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Andrew Brierley
Level - 7
Credit Value - 30
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 7PGS1

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