Probation, Parole & Issues in Rehabilitation Course ELECTIVE

PPR-400 Probation, Parole & Issues in Rehabilitation

This course in a nutshell:

Discussion topics: Assessment procedures, treatment planning, and intervention techniques will be discussed and demonstrated. Students will apply these concepts and techniques to a variety of justice related circumstances.

Skills: The general aim of this course is to provide students with knowledge related to the assessment, management and rehabilitation of clients in contact with the justice system. Opportunities will be provided for students to develop therapeutic skills for assisting clients to move through process of restorative justice, rehabilitation, and re-integration into society.

COURSE OBJECTIVE:

On-line delivery of the Probation, Parole and Issues in Rehabilitation course provides students with knowledge related to the assessment, management and rehabilitation of clients in contact with the justice system. Assessment procedures, treatment planning, and intervention techniques will be discussed and demonstrated. Students will apply these concepts and techniques to a variety of justice related circumstances. Opportunities will be provided for students to develop therapeutic skills for assisting clients to move through process of restorative justice, rehabilitation, and re-integration into society. Students will gain understanding and skill in the following areas:

COURSE CONTENT

Clients who seek counselling often report problematic thoughts, emotions and/or behaviors related to unresolved life issues. Professional counsellors working in all capacities must be aware of the etiology and the range of symptoms related to the rehabilitation process. This course provides students with an understanding of the theoretical base and counselling implications related to the dynamics of the convicted criminal. A skill set related to the facilitation of rehabilitation will also be introduced. Research studies support the use of talk therapy in conjunction with imposed sanctions in working with probationary or paroled clients. The focus of this course is to introduce the use of psychology in assessing, diagnosing and classifying offenders who may benefit from the combination of sanctions and therapy in developing new and better coping mechanisms.

The course is geared to providing practical information that can readily applied to a wide variety of correctional situations within the justice system. Interviewing, treatment planning and related skills for working with individuals, adolescents, couples, families, and groups will be demonstrated. Students will have the opportunity to apply theory and skills during role play exercises and case study analysis.

The counsellor’s personal feelings, fears, expectations and values can affect the facilitation of the rehabilitation process and must be examined thoroughly. Students will explore their own values and their feelings about working with clients in contact with the justice system including issues that trigger counter transference in the counselor; need for supervision and self care.

The limits of confidentiality, the counsellor’s ethical standards and scope of practice will also be addressed.

PORTFOLIO OF JOB SKILLS

What you will learn:

The Probation, Parole, and Issues in Rehabilitation course will teach you the skills needed to assist clients to move through process of restorative justice, rehabilitation, and re-integration into society. Your level of proficiency and competence with the skills introduced in this course will deepen as you proceed through the program. Upon graduation from the Diploma or Certificate program, you may include the following skills as part of your Professional Portfolio. You will gain understanding and skill in the following areas:

  1. Knowledge of the major theories of criminality and recidivism.
  2. Knowledge of the behavioral, cognitive, affective, and physical issues of incarceration.
  3. Knowledge of the signs and symptoms of the offending cycle.
  4. Awareness of complicating factors which could derail an offender’s efforts to reintegrate.
  5. Knowledge of the role of corrections in the justice system, and the assessment, diagnosis, and classification of offenders.
  6. Ability to incorporate counseling skills such as advanced empathy, and active listening throughout all phases of the counselling process.
  7. Ability to apply assessment protocol, treatment planning and intervention techniques to facilitate the rehabilitation process with adults, adolescents, couples, families, and groups.
  8. Review the ethical and legal implications of working with clients convicted of a criminal act, including violent/dangerous offenses.
  9. Apply the concepts of a “no-harm contract”, and other safety protocols in the development of treatment plans with clients.
  10. Recognition of professional limitations and personal triggers as well as the need for professional support, consultation, and debriefing.